Jaspa

Stadium looks monstrous

Van Nistelrooy tactics showing through here

Air conditioned stadium, "hydration break". Won't miss this bit.

Not sure about these massive expanses of nothing behind the goals. Boston stadium last night similar where they seemed to be channeling the old Kenilworth Road stand by having patio doors the entire length. Atmosphere coming through flat on TV.

It's very orange in there

Screens in that stadium are ridiculous

How are they wetting the pitches pre-game with all the ceremonial pomp going on pregame? Bet they water it as much as possible half time, so you'll end up with very different games of football some games, half/half. Not impressed by the pitch either, mad this'll be the World Cup Final surface USA

Lethal

Mazraoui looking class. keeps coming out with the ball and solid

Pitch looks ****ed. Still see where they've rolled turf out, streaky. Worth noting aswell, with all the pre-game faff they dont get to water the pitch as much pre-KO.

Tiago should've scored there, stagnant defending

Pomp is quite impressive, not sure about the pop style Boccelli vocals. Surely they arent doing all of that for every match?

Tim Vickery is class though

*honking noises intensify*

Its 19 degree C in San Fran. Don't even need the breaks

Horrendously loud music while the adverts finish up

Just launch your face into the oppositionw knee mate, great goalkeeping. Seem to remember a Saudi lad suffering a major facial injury involving a goalie in their first game in Qatar vs Argentina... surely that was offide?

That was a red, DOGSO. Altitude is going to severely effect these Mexican games, especially teams who aren't acclimatised.

Did you manage to get the tiger stripe one on Vice City though. Tough to say whether we(England), should win the group given the second KO game will be at the Azteca, likely against these. Altitude, heat and a delirious fanbase of 90,000+.

Mexicans unironically love it and that Gasinlina song.

Bocelli in the centre of the pitch again; this time at the start of something, not the end.

Winger has no end product ep.5,000,001

Bed time kick off confirmed. Roy Keane already trying to rustle abit, tournament hasn't even started. We might be better off finishing second in the group, that second KO game in Mexico City, probably against Mexico, will either do the team in energy wise or knock us out there and then. If you want to go far or win it's about preserving energy. Lots of travel, some high altitudes and some high temperatures... unless you're France and your fixtures and likely KO involve NE US cities and then maybe the air conditioned Cowboys stadium in a semi.

France playing Norn Irn'd, last game before they fly out. France have so much in their favour already in this tournament with how the fixtures have fallen into place. Hope they don't walk it again like in Russia, annoying how often they're competing for trophies these days.