I don't recall a single play acting in this match. And the players just got on with the game after every foul. Such is the type of sportsmanship I admire.

Kudos to both teams

Japan should be proud of their performance, but well done Belgium. Have I said before thaat this is an unbelievable World Cup?

But what a way to go. What a magnificently brave performance. Hats off the Japanese.

Class and guts from Belgium. Great subs too.

Definitely, couldn't ask for more from Japan but the best team won.

Belgium Brazil likely to be another high scoring game. I fancy Belgium somehow.

Me too.

Brazil seem to be growing in form, as they tread along. But, I prefer Belgium to win it.

That's a bit harsh, Decaf. At least let them go home with their hats.

Fair play to Neymar. Trying to win an Oscar and a World Cup in the same year isn't easy, but he's definitely giving it a go...

Thanks Babu. Couldn't make my mind up on this one but you would have to fancy the Swedes now.

If England do not get to the final of this World Cup then they might as well give up going to them. Will anyone ever have had an easier route to a World Cup final than the one that is opening up before them?. They had the easiest group in the competition with frankly two pub teams in it and could get to the final without having played a single top footballing nation in the knock-out stages.

The Swiss were piss poor and Xhaka once again failed to take the game by the scruff of the neck against mediocre opposition. Sweden are organised, strong, fit and athletic but certainly no great shakes in terms of footballing ability.

"And that was, of course, the Ode to Joy from Beethoven's 9th Symphony, performed by the Hertfordshire Philarmonic Orchestra and conducted by Sir Happy-Go-Lucky Socrates..."

FFS, man, lighten up, crack open a beer and....

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iibpewIA_ik[/youtube]

Personally I think this is a tricky tie but I'd rather play Colombia than Japan.

Come on England, we have given an ungrateful world so many brilliant things: Bakewell tart, Football, Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, The Kinks, the NHS, the concept of a non-corrupt civil service and still the moody, chippy, envious, bitter, small-minded ex-colonials won't barrack for us and mock the fact that we stretch a word simply to make it scan better in a song.

*%^@. 'EM. ALL.

I have England as slight favourites but there's too much talk about an easy route to the final. Colombia have a damn good team. Very high hopes for this game, has the potential to be one of the best of the entire tournament.

Sweden-Switzerland, another bore of a game. England or Colombia should beat Sweden easily.

You must be feeling slightly envious of your Scandinavian neighbours squeaking through there?

England can lose to anybody. I just really want them to play up tonight and make it a fun game as Japan did last night. If we lose we lose but play with brio.

I’m in Cascais just outside Lisbon. Beautiful little town. Staying at The Albatroz Hotel and very nice it is too. Just going to get a few beers with my sons and watch the game. My wife will watch it with us too ...should be interesting..she’s a proud Colombian from Bogota. Anglo Colombian relations may be strained later!1

I'm going to the Royal Liverpool philharmonic in October.

Was there many many years ago. Lovely place. Had a great restaurant that did fish bisque for lunch. Queues down the street. Probably long gone now, but very happy memories

Sounds Chevere!!!

The whistling is pathetic. Also makes the game unpleasant as a whole. So unsporting.

In explaining it to the wife I felt very Engurland. “The Greeks do it... And the Turks!”



But it does piss me off something awful

Ref is *%^@

Is Alli or is he not useless? Why is he on the pitch?

Falcao is all alone and ineffective up front. Colombia's attacks are toothless.

He’s the only player who can match them for dirtiness.

Ingurlund on top just about, but neither keeper has had anything resembling a difficult save to make. Intriguing without being particularly exciting. Maguire and Sterling need to keep their cool.

Well, not what I hoped for. Colombia missing Rodriguez badly.

Super Chevere Daz!!
Not like the last 45 minutes
Is turgid the right word.

Think England takes this.

Boring, so far. Only excitement was the chin butt.

Its fragmented, tetchy and dirty with a crowd of whistling peasants.

So unlike last night.

That is disgraceful. Utterly disgusting they should fine Colombia for that.

Busy , plenty of endeavour but screaming for a bit of Bergkampesque quality . I don't like any South American side , all infested with sleazy , moaning , whining play acting tw*ts .

Farcical the way every refereeing decision is met with a mass of moaning and gesticulating players . Come on the Poms

Why would these Colombian players stoop so low in their play? And the arguing with the referee is so unnecessary. Plus, it is useless.

Colombia are loathsome. Utterly spoiling the spectacle.

Feels odd to say but.... great to see Harry score against Opsina

I know. I guess thinking you can’t beat a team in actual football? It’s the ultimate show of inferiority - We need to cheat you out of this.

This referee is weak