kopsy101

Aye, who tf is this Amrabat guy and why is he excellent?

Glad konate is starting, Upanecano is good and has a reputation however Saliba and Konate are more dominant

Hadn't seen that, pretty damning

I appreciate that and I agree that he wins the pen because Lovren fluffed the clearance back into a space where he would have been. I just think that Alvarez had the ball and the keeper made a movement towards the ball and made himself big, which missed the ball and took man who was moving forward, which he's allowed to do. Like, he didn't change his trajectory to move into him and as it was him with the ball, it's kinda his call where he goes. Like I said, I appreciate people have different interpretations.

I see your point and they are very similar. But Lloris isn't in control of that, it's clumsily thigh'd into open space. That really could have gone either way though, but that's my interpretation. Alvarez is in control as he shoots. The keeper doesn't stop, and nor does Alvarez. However, he had control of the ball so the onus is on the keeper to get the ball and avoid the player which he doesn't. That's my 2 cents.

I think we can safely say that this group of players couldn't have done it without him, but he also couldn't do it without them. They all work like animals for him to have absolute freedom. Every other player has been excellent, but he is the one who makes the difference. As @The_jagster says, credit to Scaloni. Remember he's got quality like Martinez and Dybala on the bench, but he recognises that they don't have the qualities needed.

Got to disagree, I thought the ref for the Dutch game was just flipping a coin every time. Consistenly inconsistent and decisions went both ways. Handing out yellows to both teams like sweeties but both teams could have had reds. I disagree because you said every 50-50 which is obviously untrue, I do think Argentina did get slightly more decisions their way however. Similar in the England France game, a couple of the high profile decisions went France's way but there were some blatant fouls that didn't get called the opposite way but nobody will remember that.

Late to the party, but i'm glad it's not just me. Irritating.

I think it's quite a British thing to dislike these kinda teams. Oh, no please and thankyou's followed by tea and crumpets after dispatching that penalty, how awfully rude and ill mannered

I thought I misheard that

This Argentina side have so much industry and tenacity, I can’t believe how effective they are. Croatia didn’t get near the goal really, they have really good, experienced attackers. Molina, De Paul, Enzo and their CB’s have been utterly fantastic. Obviously Messi is the best player you’ll see and Alvarez is so, so good.

Gvardiol wouldn’t get near France.

As would I. Bigger, faster version of him

Big learning curve for gvardiol who’s clearly very good. He plays like a young defender though, very confident

Leo man, you’re the best

Paredes off seems weird, he was fantastic in midfield! can’t help but think Argentina might go on the back foot now

Aye definite pen. Give it a rest

Probably because he got beaten the 2-3 times he got a clear run at him and set up opportunities. Despite that, if you consider that James, Trippier or TAA had been playing, he'd have been 5 yards ahead of them, as opposed to 1 yard Him and Dembele were managed so well though, midfield and wingers were all over them. Saka going off for Sterling was awful. I'm sure you've been frustrated by this before at City, but there was a point in the last minute where he could have played a pass into the box but he took a touch and passed it back. You say France have been rubbish, but internationals aren't as finely tuned as club games. Sounds bitter af.

He's done so well if you also consider that he seems to always have negative credit in the bank. His face and public persona don't fit a superstar manager, nor does he have a successful club management portfolio so I always think people are looking for reasons to get rid as soon as he doesn't exceed expectations. I don't know how well he'd do at club level now. However, he's shown he can set up a team really well at an international level and I think this team is better than the team which got to the semi's in 2018. All Southgate can do is get his team playing well and dominating a game, it's up to the players to convert and not concede 30 yarders. France have the best team, it's hardly a major upset. On most days, England win that game.

This, i've watched about 12-15 games or so, but otherwise I'd have had them all on. Easily. I love world cups

51 goals, 26 assists in 2018 and he came 5th in the Ballon D'or

I've ended up watching almost all the France, Argentina and England games on my stick. A couple of other big nations games, so all in all, i've not stuck to my word at all.

Out of order IMO Kidding Either, to be honest. As a Frenchman, I was happy to see him on the bench. He doesn't need the full pitch to accelerate past Kounde. Either way, Foden is a phenomenal player, but Rashford should have been in that position before the 85th minute.

Funny to think that there's a really good chance that Mbappe heads to his next world cup in 4 years, as a 27 year old, with 100% World Cup win rate Anyway, I voted France. The best team left in. I'm French too, so very happy if that happens. A nice consolation would be Messi's Argentina winning. What a team of fighters, and he's the absolute nuts.