The_jagster

In modern England history that is one of our most embarassing results tbf, probably matched only by Iceland as that was in a more important game.

I feel like Bono could (maybe should) have still saved it, he doesn't really jump much when diving or it.

I will have on in the background but I suspect I will be more focused on FM

Edited, thanks!

Third/fourth place play off Saturday 17th December Croatia v Morocco 15.00 0-0 Croatia pens The Final Sunday 18th December Argentina v France 15.00 2-1 Bonuses - Note - the bonuses ONLY apply to the final - there are no bonuses for the, err, what's it called game The total number of goals scored - 3 The number of goals scored in the first half - 1 The number of goals scored in the second half - 2 The number of goals scored after 90 minutes - 0 The number of hattricks - 0 Will the game go to extra time - No Will the game go to penalties - No The total number of penalties scored (including those in normal game play) - 0 The team which scores the fastest goal - Argentina The team which scores the last goal - France The time of the first goal - 34' The time of the last goal - 77' The scorer of the first goal - Messi The scorer of the last goal - Mbappe The total number of yellow cards - 3 The total number of red cards - 0 The total number of substitutions across all games - 8 Predict the exact score, whether the game will go to 90 or 120 minutes, the exact times of goal(s) and the goalscorer(s) - 34' Messi, 60' Otamendi, 77' Mbappe ; 2-1 Argentina after 90 minutes

I know I'm always badgering you @Sons FC but is that why I appear to have had points deducted? 27. The_Jagster 250 1,800 1,210 +1

Interesting as an Irish journalist was saying there is a fairly bad flu going round the press box (and not all of them felt comfortable about it) and that England had asked journalists to wear masks at a press conference. Suggests it is a fairly significant bug.

It's because Messi has done stuff in the last two games but Mbappe hasn't other than the deflected assist.

You told me it will be defence vs defence yesterday

Morocco just showing the limits of being hard working but not having great forwards. Bend don't break is a reasonable summation of that, have lots of nervy moments but the better chances overall. Felt Morocco really had the upper hand until about 65/70 minutes then fell away a bit. France didn't try the quick counters but were slowing it down instead, presumably because they kept losing it. I think the final could be quite even, both finalists have periods where they don't look great but have moments where key players make the difference.

If France were conceding chance after chance I'd say yes, lucky. I don't think Deschamps will be delighted with the performance but there's not been a brilliant chance yet. Even when the sub forward was through on the replay the defenders were in a place to block. Also, I think Murphy's been all right tonight.

I like the world cup, but this is not a game I will be making an effort to watch

I don't think France have been that bad, it's not like Morocco have created lots of chances. Just came close with a very unlikely overhead. France have so many good ball carriers on the break.

I support Bayern so Upamecano is clearly better The last time I was this sure that a team would finally see their luck run out Rob Huth scored twice at the Etihad so we can expect the Moroccan Maldini to bag a brace. With Mbappe and Giroud you can neither afford to defend high or deep so this is probably Morocco's biggest test by some way, I just can't see them doing it. Edit: I jest, Upamecano was clearly terrible in the first half against Kane.

@GunmaN1905iI think with Nunez that there was a handball before it got to the penalty claim? Therefore it may have been a foul but VAR decided it was a handball first.

I watched the highlights in normal speed again last night, it is clear as day that Livakovic comes out, doesn't get there, but is still moving forward even as he slows up. The idea that he was just standing still and had nowhere to go is nonsense

I thought Wilson fouled Lloris too I didn't actually watch the halftime stuff so was hearing that for the first time, imagine making Peter Walton look like a man talking sense

It would be unfair to say Messi carried the team, defensively they've been pretty good apart from late onslaughts from the opposition. But he's had so many key parts to play in goals that other players would not have done. Credit should also go to Scaloni for creating an environment that allows Messi to make the difference I guess.

England has 18 professional sides to offer career prospects in cricket, which skews the economics of it. Pietersen aside it's not really the top talents from other big Test nations, and it's the same in rugby (which also has its own exaggerated issues with Pacific Islanders playing for Australia or New Zealand).

In reality it's just that it's a small community that play it on a global scale so there is more interest in having a competitive international game and the economics of the sport means it's only the castoffs who are choosing a different nationality in the main, because there's more money representing the national team. (Think this will change with the new generation and franchise leagues in cricket). There's naturalisation in handball too and I don't think that is down to the hangover of British imperial rule in Qatar. Whereas in football there are enough sides to have competitive international tournaments even if you tighten up nationality criteria. But I wouldn't allow adult naturalisation tbh

France were ahead for a lot of the match, so defended more. It's still two teams that would think they could win it in normal time rather than playing for pens and maybe getting a goal from a set piece.

Was basically just chatting for much of the second half having lost interest as a spectacle. Croatia are just bad in attack, even when it was 0-0 they were so slow in promising positions. Messi was great but the match was a bit disappointing, would like France to win so we have a classic final, rather than attack vs defence.

Already blaming Lovren for others' mistakes

Alvarez didn't run 10 yards then knock him, they both move for the ball and then Livakovic pulls out late when he realises he is t getting there first. It's clearly a penalty.

Reach the ball first?