Knockout Stages - Round of 32

[AdcockFox]

Yeah and poor from Ecuador tonight 

[Jon the Hat]

Unless England's defense improves dramatically and our attackers play without fear we will be lucky to get to the Semi Finals.

[ClaphamFox]

43 minutes ago, AdcockFox said:

Yeah and poor from Ecuador tonight 

I wondered if that might happen after they celebrated the win against Germany as if they’d won the whole thing. Hard to do it all over again after that. 

[MC Prussian]

Were Sweden even trying to play against France? Looked like a pretty one-sided training match to me.

 

I'm by no means a fan of the French. They just make it look so easy, walk in the park against the Swedes, could've easily thrashed them 10-0, if it weren't for being so wasteful in front of goal – and for Zetterström.

 

Mbappé plays like a man possessed, and his virus has caught the rest of the team.

 

I wonder what team would be able to stop them or prove to be a worthwhile challenger. Paraguay won't fare much better, I'm afraid. Might as well try use fouls whenever possible to break down these French attacks.

France have an arguably easy way to the final.

Edited 10 hours ago by MC Prussian

[FoxesWalk]

1 hour ago, spacemunky said:

Mexico really aren't that great, but that home advantage is huge.

I do think this can play to the advantage of England, in a way. Yes the atmosphere is incredible, but that crowd will draw them out to attack, they aren’t going to play low block ala Ghana in that atmosphere. If they come on to England (assuming we can get past the Congo low block), that will be to our benefit. 

[MC Prussian]

First Mexico goal was offside, was it not?

[Aus Fox]

10 minutes ago, MC Prussian said:

First Mexico goal was offside, was it not?

I think he was in his own half when the ball was played.

[Footballwipe]

Absolutely insane people seemed to convince themselves Ecuador were the real deal after beating Germany.

 

Shows that one decent performance against a superpower team on the wane covered up the pathetic performances they put in against Ivory Coast and Curacao.

[StanSP]

7 hours ago, filbertway said:

Are they using VAR to correct corner decisions or not? I'm confused as I swear ive heard that they are

Only if they're incorrectly given. 

 

If it's incorrectly not given, it remains a goal kick. 

[Lionator]

54 minutes ago, MC Prussian said:

Were Sweden even trying to play against France? Looked like a pretty one-sided training match to me.

 

I'm by no means a fan of the French. They just make it look so easy, walk in the park against the Swedes, could've easily thrashed them 10-0, if it weren't for being so wasteful in front of goal – and for Zetterström.

 

Mbappé plays like a man possessed, and his virus has caught the rest of the team.

 

I wonder what team would be able to stop them or prove to be a worthwhile challenger. Paraguay won't fare much better, I'm afraid. Might as well try use fouls whenever possible to break down these French attacks.

France have an arguably easy way to the final.

When it comes to games like that, they’re trying to keep it level, steal a lucky goal or take it to penalties, but obviously France are too good for Sweden. 

[Lionator]

8 goals scored. Zero conceded for Mexico now after 4 games. They obviously have some limitations but they’ve seen off 4 competent teams without much bother, big test if we get past DR Congo today. 

[st albans fox]

4 minutes ago, StanSP said:

Only if they're incorrectly given. 

 

If it's incorrectly not given, it remains a goal kick. 

And only if it’s clear to VAR before the kick is taken 

if I’m a player who’s got a corner and knows it isn’t then I’m taking it before they have time to look - even if I’m playing it to myself then the opponent has a free kick next to the corner flag rather than a goal kick. They’ll have to kick that long. assume you can always take a quick corner without the ref signalling or would they then say that they hadn’t whistled to take it so ball still dead ?

[Tommy Fresh]

Thought Ecuador were going to win it?

[st albans fox]

3 minutes ago, Lionator said:

8 goals scored. Zero conceded for Mexico now after 4 games. They obviously have some limitations but they’ve seen off 4 competent teams without much bother, big test if we get past DR Congo today. 

Huge test

wont be hot but at 7000 feet, I can’t see how our players can acclimatise to that in the middle of a tournament??  Surely, knowing that this was a possible route, we should have had a camp at altitude after the group stages finished ??

 

(and of course we may not win today in any case )

Edited 9 hours ago by st albans fox

[Aus Fox]

3 minutes ago, Tommy Fresh said:

Thought Ecuador were going to win it?

Nah, they’ve been shown the EcuaDoor…. I’ll get my coat

[StanSP]

2 minutes ago, st albans fox said:

And only if it’s clear to VAR before the kick is taken 

if I’m a player who’s got a corner and knows it isn’t then I’m taking it before they have time to look - even if I’m playing it to myself then the opponent has a free kick next to the corner flag rather than a goal kick. They’ll have to kick that long. assume you can always take a quick corner without the ref signalling or would they then say that they hadn’t whistled to take it so ball still dead ?

I'm pretty certain the ball has a chip in it which can pretty much be instantaneous in seeing where the last touch was. But you're right if it's taken quick enough it may mean the play continues...

[StanSP]

I know the rules around covering the mouth are a bit divisive, but you have to be fvcking stupid to still do it knowing it'll get you a red card. How idiotic is Hincapie for his?? 

 

The Mexico player is a bit of a snitch though . 2-0 up, last minute and you're still looking to get players in trouble. 

[Beliall]

looking forward to the game tonight. be the first one i watch live. we'll probably be shit

[Lionator]

Such is this tournament, I didn’t realise DR Congo held Portugal, should’ve beaten Colombia then obviously hammered Uzbekistan. Got some tricky players on paper. Can’t wait to get knocked out by Wan-Bissaka

[Super_horns]

Sounds like a comfortable win for Mexico .

 

Obviously all  know it would be a tough game facing them if we can get the job done today .

 

Certainly don’t want extra time or penalties .

[fox_favourite]

4 minutes ago, Super_horns said:

Sounds like a comfortable win for Mexico .

 

Obviously all  know it would be a tough game facing them if we can get the job done today .

 

Certainly don’t want extra time or penalties .

Mexico at their stadium isn't going to be fun IF we get through today. 

 

Potentially then Brazil and Argentina if we somehow make it there is a ridiculous run-in. 

 

I think today will be a struggle to watch and if we do win, we'll lose to Mexico in the next round. 

 

This world cup will be won by France, easier route and they have looked like a proper balanced team. Keeper is the weakness. 

Edited 9 hours ago by fox_favourite

[fox_up_north]

19 minutes ago, Lionator said:

Such is this tournament, I didn’t realise DR Congo held Portugal, should’ve beaten Colombia then obviously hammered Uzbekistan. Got some tricky players on paper. Can’t wait to get knocked out by Wan-Bissaka

Another one that switched from England to elsewhere when he realised he couldn't get into the set up. He was even called up to the youth and stated he wanted to play for England.

 

He's a London boy through and through. Dunno how I'd feel if I was Congolese.

[fox_favourite]

10 minutes ago, fox_up_north said:

Another one that switched from England to elsewhere when he realised he couldn't get into the set up. He was even called up to the youth and stated he wanted to play for England.

 

He's a London boy through and through. Dunno how I'd feel if I was Congolese.

Isn't Olise a London boy as well? I may have heard it wrong the other night as it was late and I was tired, but did they say he had to learn French?!  if true, that's funny. 

[StanSP]

7 minutes ago, fox_favourite said:

Isn't Olise a London boy as well? I may have heard it wrong the other night as it was late and I was tired, but did they say he had to learn French?!  if true, that's funny. 

Born in London but has a very diverse heritage! Think he could have chosen France, England, Nigeria and one other I can't remember.. 

He's played for French youth teams though. 

[Muzzy_no7]

A lot of discussion online about combined French and English 11’s after Viera and Neville’s comments last night so thought I’d chuck mine in:

 

Maignan

 

Kounde

Upamecano

Saliba

O’Reilly

 

Anderson

Rabiot

 

Dembele

Olise

Mbappe

 

Kane