Definitely structure and the team knowing what was expected. Need more in attack though.

Next match....
Is it just me but does Messi look like a hyena?

Argentina totally dominant and then 1-1. Brilliant.

On Wilshere leaving I never thought be had the vision of Fabregas and although he has a lot of fight, his injuries have slowed down any technical or physical progress. Let him go I say but as usual due to the contract mismanagement we'll get *%^@ all for him.

Argentina are all over the place at the back. They have all the possession but are giving up chances out of nothing.

Now that I think about it this must have been the reason I didn't get into Harvard and Cambridge.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/mor ... am-school/

France dominated possession but didn't seem impressive against a very average Aussie squad.

Indeed. Costa really does round of Spain nicely. Absurd though it was that the foul wasn't given, one can only admire Costa's pace, power, and skill on the first goal. One of my favourite players. I was most impressed with Isco and the way that Nacho put his error behind him and turned in stellar performance. In fact, Spain looked almost perfect yesterday, aside from the two Ronaldo sucker-punches and the de Gea error.

Yes, that is the one worry about their play. But didn't most of those counter-attacks come when they were looking for an equaliser?

Actually, when Uruguay brought on their subs they improved immeasurably. However, it was the other two subs that made the difference.

I can't say I noticed him doing anything in particular. In fact, I didn't know that we had signed Torreira until I saw it mentioned here yesterday.

I noticed his physique (or lack thereof) because my wife was commenting on how the Urugauy players were bullying the Egyptian physically, and we both felt that Torreira coming on would help to even things out.

When they were 1-0 down so early in the match and when it was 1-1 too. They must be worried about DeGea. He was terrible.

Argentina were ridiculously one dimensional today. Their only tactic is give it to Messi. The degree to which the other players (except Mascherano) abdicated responsibility was pathetic.

Agree with that. It was just the Messi show which is ridiculous - last time I looked football is a team game, even if brilliant individuals sometimes light it up. Maybe Icardi has expressed something similar - if not that, I cannot understand why he was left out of their squad.
Delighted for Iceland picking up a point, a very likeable team and nation.

I wouldn't blame Messi for it. I'd put it squarely on the coach and also on some of the players for basically hiding. DiMaria was plain awful. He had lots of space because Messi was drawing in players and then passing it out to him. He never took on the responsibility.

What Iceland are achieving is amazing. Fair play to them.

Anyone watching the golf? Phil Mickelson ran after his ball and hit it back towards the hole as it was heading off the green. The football equivalent would be to move the goal to prevent a shot going in. Totally mad stuff.

dec, it looked to me like Argentina's tactics were 'give the ball to Messi and let him win the game on his own'. Stupid tactics if Messi wasn't at his best, which he clearly wasn't. So I'd say the fault is shared between the coach and Messi. I realise he's a great player, but I don't want Argentina to win it because I don't want Messi to get a World Cup winner's medal. In my view Maradona is football's greatest ever player and Messi hasn't changed that. I don't want Messi to win a World Cup like Maradona did.

How did he reach it in time, if it was still moving after the initial shot, which from what you say I presume it was?

There are strong rumours that Torreira will sign, as there were that Arteta would take over from Wenger so that alone is no guarantee of anything. But as far as I'm aware, he hasn't already joined.

It was a putt, so no problem in chasing the ball. It really was quite amazing and compounded by his post round interview when he admitted that it wasn't just a moment of madness, rather a calculated action to take a two shot penalty rather than face a difficult shot.

[quote="TOP GUN"]Jack Wilshere is about to Join palace apparently so there will be much change next year. [/quote]
The Mirror says he'll leave but don't mention Palace as one of his destination options.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football ... 721052.amp

EDIT: Bugger. The replied to post isn't in yellow. Rog, after the problems I've had in getting back on the forum, my vote is to leave things as they are. It didn't used to happen every time I posted a reply.

Has anything been said about the VAR over there. If VAR was applied why were Argentina not given a penalty late in the game. The ref thought it was a dive but it clearly was contact with the foot and VAR should have given a pen. There was time to look.

It's a mess. It isn't applied with any degree of consistency. In Argentina's case I thought the penalty that they got was a dive anyway but that's not the point.

Bernard will be settling down with a pint of Liebfraumilch and a few bratwurst cheering on his boys, but I've got the Tequila and tortillas out.

And a picture of Leo Messi pinned to his dartboard by the sounds of it.

And a well deserved goal for Mexico who've been electric so far

That was a great 45 mins of football. Mexico's fast direct attacking is super.

Absolutely, so brave to leave 3 up front all the time. A coach who has clearly worked on a very good game plan. Nice to see a team who on paper are the weaker team but don’t resort to 11 men behind the ball killing any spectacle and playing for a 0-0. No problem with a defensive game plan but nexico’s Plan to use the 3 speedy attackers on the counter is fantastic. Germany need a central mid to sit a lot closer to the centre backs to cut out the counter

Liebfraumilch? Good grief, not in a million years. A riesling Trockenbeerenauslese more like.

I thought that might draw a reaction out of you Bernard

Ah c'mon Bernard. It's only about a fiver a bottle in Lidl

I presume you mean Liebfraumilch. I wouldn't know, as I don't live near a Lidl.

A much better second half but no equaliser yet and time is slipping by.

Mexico have blown a few great chances to finish it off. Wouldn't surprise me one bit to see a German equaliser.

Mexico have missed some chances on the break. They should have at least one or two more goals. Fabulous match.

Yes, a cracker and what a great win for the underdogs. First Spain-Portugal and now this, let's hope the exciting football continues and gives us a World Cup to remember.

The shared passion of players and fans is something you don't see in club football any more. Not like that anyway. That was a brilliant game.

Watching Germany today and Argentina yesterday felt eerily similiar to watching Arsenal on a bad day. All the possession you could ask for, but very little movement and ideas. I do expect Germany to defeat both Sweden and South Korea pretty easily, but it's nice to see a bit of unpredictability so far.

Obviousy a huge win for Mexico. I was actuallyi cheering for the Germans but not anything close to being upset that they lost.
Mexico played great team defense. They were committed. They were well organized where they also took advantage of the break but had no finishing. They could have and I think should have scored a second goal. Bad decision making on when to make the pass hurt them a couple of times.

Germany didn't seem organized. They didn't seem like they knew how to play together. Draxler impressed me.We are rumored to be in for Reuss possibly and I would take him instantly if the opportunity presented itself.
Boatteng..hmm...didn't impress me. To be fair to Germany they tried and had the shots on goal to prove it. I thought there was a bit too much Arsenal esque pitty patty arouind the 18 yard box. There just seemed to be disconnect at times between their players. Not the strongest German side I've seen. Maybe they are rebuilding.

Congrats to the Swiss (somewhere Babu is smiling). Heroic defense, excellent tactically. Both sides had another goal in them, Brazil obviously the more but a thrilling game nonetheless. Brazil will be disappointed but they tried and so far look the favorites to me despite the result. Germany didn't impress me. Although I need to see Argentina play, I'm basing ruling them out on what I saw in the highlights.
Xhaka plays better for his national team than for us. I can only guess its that although his position seems the same, center mid, his duties are a little different with the Swiss team. He seems to lie deeper with them. A wee bit more. Anyway, I hope he can replicate it for us.

That Coutinho strike!! Pure unadulterated class and it wasn't luck either. That ball went exactly where he wanted it and it got there exactly how he wanted it.

Could Lichtsteiner be appointed as our Captain in the new season? He looks the part. I like his energy for the Swiss team, which I believe he will offer the same to Arsenal.

I am tipping England to have a very good WC and I would not be surprised if they progressed a long way. I think Southgate has built a team who will fight for each other.