Goooooooooooooooooooooooooool

[Brad]

2 hours ago, Dmitry said:

At least now we know that Pique is one hell of a volleyball player. 

The mood in Madrid is somber. 

The mood is somber here too. 

41 minutes ago, uli said:

enough drama for one day!

I thought we might be getting Denmark-Russia in the quarters. Glad for Modric. 

[Brad]

Marca ran a poll to see what readers thought and other than Isco most players received the equivalent of Cs or D. The Coach received a D; he was put in an impossible position. More than half thought the decision to replace Lopetegui was the reason they were eliminated.  Voted as the worst of Spain were the goalie and the inability to create scoring chances. Defense came in a distant third. 

[mjazzg]

I'm looking forward to Mexico blowing the competition even wider open this afternoon

[uli]

Vamos Brasil!

[erwbol]

Hup België!

[Brad]

1 hour ago, mjazzg said:

I'm looking forward to Mexico blowing the competition even wider open this afternoon

A Mexico win wouldn’t surprise me but I don’t think it will happen. 

[mjazzg]

It didn't. They failed to take advantage of an opening twenty minutes when they had Brazil on the ropes.

Neymar won another Oscar nomination as well

Edited July 2, 2018 by mjazzg

[Brad]

I missed the first 20 minutes but they seemed fairly even. Another disappointment for Mexico. They can’t get past the group of 16. However, had they shown up in the last group game, they might have faced Switzerland, certainly a less daunting task. 

[Brad]

Belgium is in deep you know what 

[mjazzg]

Beginning to be pleased that England didn't win the group now 

Japan are impressive

[erwbol]

1-2

Still, perhaps mentally the Belgians have been playing Brazil too much for the last couple of days? Another likely end tournament cold shower for our southern neighbours. Martinez playing De Bruyne out of position. Awful.

Edited July 2, 2018 by erwbol

[mjazzg]

It's still a mystery how Martinez ever got the job

[Brad]

Belgium are showing their mettle. 

[mjazzg]

showing their height, more like

[mjazzg]

great match. Well played Belgium. Tough on Japan

and good substitutions from Martinez

[Brad]

What a shame.  Yes, Asian teams are at a definitive disadvantage when it comes to height. This will eat at them for a long time. 

Belgium have shown they are the best team so far in the tournament.  

[erwbol]

18 minutes ago, Brad said:

Belgium have shown they are the best team so far in the tournament.  

I am currently watching on Flemish television and I don't think the panel of analysts would agree with you that Belgium have shown this tonight.

[mjazzg]

And I'd agree with them (if I could speak Flemish).

I'd say Croatia, Uruguay and Brazil have looked better than Belgium who apart from tonight have only beaten Tunisia, Panama and England in the battle of second XIs. They have potential and they'll need realise it to get beyond Brazil

Edited July 2, 2018 by mjazzg

[Brad]

I thought they were impressive in beating Panama and Tunisia, obviously not great competition, but they beat them handily. Today, they had to dig deep against a very determined opponent. To me, that was impressive. I think they can beat Brasil. 

[uli]

Hopp Schwiiz!

[mjazzg]

Here we go. England's first real test.

Sweden in a World Cup QF has to be a major motivation if another were needed

[Brad]

So, are you lot getting worried? 

[sidewinder]

It’ll be another penalty shoot-out disaster..

[mjazzg]

A half that exposes the creative deficit in midfield in this England side, no chances created of any note because no-one's passing forward. We should be able to beat this team

[Brad]

It’s a chippy match and I think the Colombians are trying to throw them off their game. It seems to be working. I’m sure they will look different after the restart.  However, Colombia will adapt too.