World Cup 2026

[Baile Brigín 2]

Spain look very ordinary.

They are trying to play the same tiki taki of 2008-2012 era without Iniesta and Xavi who could pull it off.

Their attacking talent this time is Williams and Yamal, out wide. As soon as they came on Spain looked better in attack but immediately left gaps at the back.

I know it's early, but they need to fundamentally change their approach to do any damage

[brokencrossbar1]

I like the aesthetics of the stadia and pitch presentation[flags etc] before game. Clean, colourful. Reminds me of a video game.

The whole thing is like a video game,  particularly the ref cams....its trying to make it more amenable to the US market but it is demeaning it I feel.  All about the razzmatazz!

[tiempo]

Saw a goal on highlights where the ref made a very unusual bee line behind the play on the edge of the box, alas the ref cam footage of the goal was half decent, but if thats the mode of thinking and the directive then you'd worry the game is couped

As for Spain, jes they must have been bad to draw that, some buck lost a 6 figure sum on it by all accounts

[DaleCooper]

Ref cam is a potato

[imtommygunn]

Saw a goal on highlights where the ref made a very unusual bee line behind the play on the edge of the box, alas the ref cam footage of the goal was half decent, but if thats the mode of thinking and the directive then you'd worry the game is couped

As for Spain, jes they must have been bad to draw that, some buck lost a 6 figure sum on it by all accounts

7 figure...

Spain will likely still come good I suspect. At least some competitive matches starting to appear.

Tunisia manager sacked. Dunno what they think they'll achieve by that mind you.

[gallsman]

Spain lost their opener in 2010 and Argentina lost theirs to Saudi Arabia four years ago.

I'd no go writing off any expected big hitter off the back of a poor result in their opener.

[NAG1]

Spain lost their opener in 2010 and Argentina lost theirs to Saudi Arabia four years ago.

I'd no go writing off any expected big hitter off the back of a poor result in their opener.

Especially in the new era of the lucky (3rd) losers

[johnnycool]

Spain lost their opener in 2010 and Argentina lost theirs to Saudi Arabia four years ago.

I'd no go writing off any expected big hitter off the back of a poor result in their opener.

Especially in the new era of the lucky (3rd) losers

Are they genuinely going to seperate teams on the same points by the number of yellow and red cards they've received or did I mishear one of the ITV commentators?

[NAG1]

Spain lost their opener in 2010 and Argentina lost theirs to Saudi Arabia four years ago.

I'd no go writing off any expected big hitter off the back of a poor result in their opener.

Especially in the new era of the lucky (3rd) losers

Are they genuinely going to seperate teams on the same points by the number of yellow and red cards they've received or did I mishear one of the ITV commentators?

I thought I heard that as well, farcical 

[square_ball]

Spain lost their opener in 2010 and Argentina lost theirs to Saudi Arabia four years ago.

I'd no go writing off any expected big hitter off the back of a poor result in their opener.

Especially in the new era of the lucky (3rd) losers

Are they genuinely going to seperate teams on the same points by the number of yellow and red cards they've received or did I mishear one of the ITV commentators?

I thought I heard that as well, farcical 

Thats been the case for the at least the last few World Cups. After head to head, goal difference and goals scored then its the disciplinary record taken into account. If everything still level after that its the team with the highest ranking that goes through. Not sure what other option they have in tournament football. Toss a coin?

[AustinPowers]

Spain lost their opener in 2010 and Argentina lost theirs to Saudi Arabia four years ago.

I'd no go writing off any expected big hitter off the back of a poor result in their opener.

Especially in the new era of the lucky (3rd) losers

Are they genuinely going to seperate teams on the same points by the number of yellow and red cards they've received or did I mishear one of the ITV commentators?

That happened at the last  Euros or maybe the last world   cup. Can't remember the teams involved though. Could have been one of  the Asian teams  in  Qatar

Edit: it was the in  2018 world cup :

Group H of the 2018 FIFA World Cup took place from 19 to 28 June 2018. The group consisted of Poland, Senegal, Colombia, and Japan. The top two teams, Colombia and Japan, advanced to the round of 16. For the first time in World Cup history, the "fair play" rule was invoked to break a tie. Japan and Senegal finished with identical scores and goal differences to tie for second behind Colombia. Japan were awarded the place in the round of 16 based on receiving fewer yellow cards in their three matches

[quit yo jibbajabba]

Tunisia coach sacked. Can't recall too many going mid tournament...cut throat decision that

[square_ball]

French keeper there what an embarrassment.

[Tony Baloney]

Tunisia coach sacked. Can't recall too many going mid tournament...cut throat decision that

"Mid" is stetching it! 1 match I think.

France fairly loaded.

[quit yo jibbajabba]

Tunisia coach sacked. Can't recall too many going mid tournament...cut throat decision that

"Mid" is stetching it! 1 match I think.

France fairly loaded.

Fairly?! Under exaggerate much?!

*You started it 😝