World Cup 2018 - Rossiya

[Polishgirl]

* still thinking about Falcao and his shorts *

[Rayge]

the chin on Sakai: Dick Tracy proportions

[KeithPratt]

Great result for Japan. Colombia can't defend for toffee, which seems to be a recurring issue in this tournament so far. What is good is that only Panama and Saudi Arabia so far have been the only sides that seem out of their depth. I can imagine a few more surprising results between now and the end of the group stage.

One wonders what Pekerman was thinking in taking off Cuadraco though.

[Lord Rother]

I’m really disliking this Colombia team. So many theatrics and cheating

Sure you don't mean Japan, who spent a good three or four minutes pestering the ref trying to claim no way was that a goal despite the replays and technology all showing it clearly crossed the line?

That’s not cheating, just dumb arse stupidity.

[trans-chigley express]

Senegal players seem to be pulling the shirts of their own team mates

[KeithPratt]

Poland look knackered already

[copehead]

Good to see Japan and Senegal winning and both being more interested in football than theatrics in one case and boring their way through in the other.

Lewandowski cannot carry that team however great he is

[Brickyard Jack]

I like the option on bbc iplayer to watch a match but listen the radio 5 commentary.

[joklend]

I like the option on bbc iplayer to watch a match but listen the radio 5 commentary.

How? Sgt Bash does my head in.

Edit: found it now.

[copehead]

Frantic end to end stuff, no quality in he final third beyond a half fit Salah.

Bit like watching the Championship highlights.

But without Salah

[Brickyard Jack]

Egypt looked great once they were 3-0 down.

[joklend]

[never/ever]

I hate the way things like this are discussed admiringly by the pundits/experts "Falcao uses all his experience there" etc etc. So cheating is to be admired when it is skilfully pulled off?

I didn't admire anything. I just didn't call it cheating- Falcao certainly can challenge for the ball, he cannot charge into the player but in this case he didn't get penalised because he went down with the defender and got result. I call it 50% lumpen and 50% guile.

Cheating is the diving scum in the penalty area.

[Darkness_Fish]

Careful now, John, you dangerous radical. Pity the world cup wasn't in Israel, that's the only anthem that really worked for me.

Did you see the Laibach North Korea documentary, btw? Very strange that ever went ahead, or it was even suggested, but it's now clear that they paved the way for fascism to be acceptable enough to allow Donald Trump to travel over.

[Geezee]

I hate the way things like this are discussed admiringly by the pundits/experts "Falcao uses all his experience there" etc etc. So cheating is to be admired when it is skilfully pulled off?

I didn't admire anything.

are you an expert/pundit?

[KeithPratt]

Egypt were terrible but Russia will have belief against their last 16 opponent now they've smashed in 8 goals.

[Diamond Dog]

Egypt were terrible but Russia will have belief against their last 16 opponent now they've smashed in 8 goals.

As in every tournament we really won't know the comparative strengths of each group until the knockout stages.

I'm thinking though that Egypt and Saudi Arabia may be the two worst teams so far... and both Uruguay & Russia may have to play significantly better come the Last 16 (assuming they both make it).

[trans-chigley express]

It didn’t take Ronaldo long. He could fill his boots today

[never/ever]

Those whistles of the Moroccan crowd are as annoying as the vuvuzelas.

[trans-chigley express]

I was wrong. Morocco have done pretty well to prevent the Ronaldo goal fest I expected.