The ONLY World Cup thread (merged)

[northbank123]

Even when refs know how to use it that is why VAR isn’t this magic solution people think it is.

How can that handball from Rojo not be a pen (it is in my mind as it grazed his head and if it hadn’t hot his hand it would have bounced straight up for the striker but can see why it isn’t given) yet that one was given against Portugal yesterday?

Argentina won’t do any damage in this tournament. The team is in complete disarray, no shape and no discipline. I’ve never seen Messi sprinting after the referee to harass him like tonight. The pressure on the team and him in particular is immense.

[SydneyGooner]

So I've got Spain, Uruguay, France and Croatia going to the quarter finals.

Spain look like the only certainty to make it to the semi-finals at the very least.

[augie]

For a squad supposedly packed full of quality players France have fucking stunk out this World Cup. They are absolute dire to watch, putrid football.

Agree 100% rodders - they have no schemer or midfield genius to open up the opposition defences, and two weeks ago they had tactics akin to tony pubis (in other words their entire back 4 were centre backs ). Giroud today showed himself as the average plodder that many of us have said he is for a long time - I keep hearing how greizeman works better alongside a big number 9, but surely he is entitled to expect better than giroud ?
I look at that french midfield and it is so unbalanced it is shocking - kante is a hyperactive terrier in midfield, but pogba is not a midfielder imo, and maituidi isnt a footballer full stop `Fekir showed more in the last 15 minutes today, than the over-rated dembele and lemar combined

[LeftfootlegendGooner]

Even when refs know how to use it that is why VAR isn’t this magic solution people think it is.

How can that handball from Rojo not be a pen (it is in my mind as it grazed his head and if it hadn’t hot his hand it would have bounced straight up for the striker but can see why it isn’t given) yet that one was given against Portugal yesterday?

Argentina won’t do any damage in this tournament. The team is in complete disarray, no shape and no discipline. I’ve never seen Messi sprinting after the referee to harass him like tonight. The pressure on the team and him in particular is immense.

Mate that was never ever a penalty in a million light years.

[1989]

Absolutely hate Maradona. Wish him ill. Fucking c**t.

[augie]

Absolutely hate Maradona. Wish him ill. Fucking c**t.

Cant get past THAT handball eh buddy ?

[Midz]

Maradona has gone from skilled player to cheating bastard to fucking asshole.

[LeftfootlegendGooner]

Absolutely hate Maradona. Wish him ill. Fucking c**t.

Yes he is a first class *word censored*, did you see him celebrating giving 2 middle fingers to fans below, the fucker was on Charlie that's for sure

[LeftfootlegendGooner]

Absolutely hate Maradona. Wish him ill. Fucking c**t.

Cant get past THAT handball eh buddy ?

Forget that, did you see the twat acting up during the game (and every game) the guys a twat from whatever you standpoint is I mean he's meant to be one of the elder statesman of the game and there he is drugged the fuck up inciting (and disrespecting) opposition fans by giving them 2 middle fingers

[DB10GOONER]

I've been reduced to just hoping Messi gets further in the tournament than the diving Ladyboy poser. It's been that "good" a world cup....

Hopefully the knock out stages will give us at least a couple of decent games. Not holding my breath though....

[flash gunner]

I've been reduced to just hoping Messi gets further in the tournament than the diving Ladyboy poser. It's been that "good" a world cup....

Hopefully the knock out stages will give us at least a couple of decent games. Not holding my breath though....

miserable f****r

[augie]

Absolutely hate Maradona. Wish him ill. Fucking c**t.

Cant get past THAT handball eh buddy ?

Forget that, did you see the twat acting up during the game (and every game) the guys a twat from whatever you standpoint is I mean he's meant to be one of the elder statesman of the game and there he is drugged the fuck up inciting (and disrespecting) opposition fans by giving them 2 middle fingers

The thing that gets me is that he is still considered to be in the discussion for the worlds best ever player - he is proven to be a junkie c.unt and for all we know he was a junkie c.unt all his career. He is a cheating b.stard who should have been banished from the game, yet he is revered as a god

[Clash]

Maybe its because so many people in football have become so plastic and dull ... but I quite like Maradona now ! I hated him as a 12 yr old in 1986 when he ''cheated'' against England but the game was much better back then. And I have seen so much cheating from English players since then (e.g. Owen / Gerrard) that I cant hold it against him too much anymore. In the official world cup film for Mexico '86 it shows that Maradona actually got smashed in the face off the ball by the elbow of Steve fucking Hodge in that same game! Why should he give a fuck about scoring with his hand after that? As for his celebrations last night ... good on him I say. Maybe TV directors shouldn't be so fucking obsessed with showing people in the crowd all the time at live events. We've all celebrated like that I'm sure!

And on the penalty that wasnt given, I am not sure if it was ... but imagine a striker mistiming his header like that that, and then after it hits his hand he turns and volleys the ball into the net. I am sure handball would be given then so maybe it should have been a pen.

Probably not gonna happen and it will eventually come down to the same old teams at the end .... but I would like to see someone like Colombia or Mexico win the tournament. I loved the Colombian 3 goals the other night and the atmosphere their fans generate is much better than the famous atmospheres from the Scouse, Turkish and Greek fans that we always hear about!

Englands defence is too open to win the tournament so although I want them to do well I am not getting sucked in. At some point we go out in the familiar manner and we all know its coming.

Enjoyed this world cup so far though and think Russia has been a good place to host it. Dont really care too much who wins as long as its not the fucking French!

[Allgunsblazin]

Iran were a disgrace during that second half, referee hadn’t a fucking clue and they made an absolute joke out of VAR.

That was embarrassing.

Just goes to show that VAR in the wrong fucking hands, fucks a game up!
Now I know that Egypt complained about this referee, but these five cocksuckers in a room really plagued the poor fucker throughout, why did they insist on him looking at that diabolical penalty incident...
It's a game changer and in the wrong hands will be abused as fuck!
The VAR Show has landed!...

I am looking forward to the adoption of sinbins in my officiated games for this coming season which replaces yellow cards for dissent!
It will be a pain in the arse, trust me....

[Clash]

Absolutely hate Maradona. Wish him ill. Fucking c**t.

Cant get past THAT handball eh buddy ?

Forget that, did you see the twat acting up during the game (and every game) the guys a twat from whatever you standpoint is I mean he's meant to be one of the elder statesman of the game and there he is drugged the fuck up inciting (and disrespecting) opposition fans by giving them 2 middle fingers

The thing that gets me is that he is still considered to be in the discussion for the worlds best ever player - he is proven to be a junkie c.unt and for all we know he was a junkie c.unt all his career. He is a cheating b.stard who should have been banished from the game, yet he is revered as a god

Dont disagree with you very often Augie but for me there is no discussion as Maradona is head and shoulders (and hand ) above anyone else who has ever played the game.

When as a boy you are made to take steroids to help you grow (just like Messi) and then cortisone shots because you're getting the shit kicked out of you of you all the time (not like Messi) then it must take its toll. Not defending his recreational drug habits but that doesnt take away from what he did on the pitch and when and where he did it.