penguin

I do wonder if we won’t see Germany fully go for it as it seems very likely Spain will beat Japan and they’ll have enough to stick a couple past Costa Rica.

Should have squared that for the tap in

Has the makings of a classic here (fingers crossed!), Germany have the pace to cause Spain real issues on the turnover as we've just witnessed, and Spain look in rampant form going forward themselves.

De Bruyne looks so awkward in this Belgium side. Frequently looks to be standing on his team-mates toes occupying the same space, like he has no idea what he's supposed to be doing. Been pretty poor when he's on the ball also.

35 year old Dries Mertens coming on. Thought Trossard's or Doku's pace would be a much better option considering the game is opening up somewhat, Mertens just feels like more of the same resulting in this tedious plodding play-style Belgium employ.

Why ask the ref to look at that? It either is offside or it isn't, use the technology.

Belgium should be a cautionary tale of wasting a "golden generation" under sub-par managers. Still a good side but a spine of Alderweireld, Vertonghen & Witsel combined have the top speed of a tugboat, plus Eden Hazard is utterly finished as a top player. Their realistic chance of honours is rapidly diminishing.

Naively had no idea Morocco actually have a pretty decent 11

Would quite like Argentina to finish 2nd, sets up a tie with France unless what I've read was wrong.

I suspect so also.

Would love to see the xG for Messi’s strike. The game is currently sitting at: Argentina: 0.23xG Mexico: 0.27xG

For all Mexicos endeavour I can’t remember them even looking like scoring. But then looking at Argentina’s results clean sheets appear to be a speciality of theirs.

Argentina could be going out in the groups here, this is absolutely dire. Hopefully they’ll go for the longer it goes on, be an interesting battle with Lozano’s pace on the counter.

I'd certainly agree they aren't as good as people had suggested they were. I understand they entered the World Cup on the back of some very impressive form, and finally a Copa America win, but looking at the side on paper and for me the defence and midfield is distinctly ordinary.

Brilliant stop that, to hold it as well as the rebound was looking on.

Sure there’ll be a Messi thread for you finally to settle the age old debate…

Love Mexico’s energy. Never seem to have the top level players though.

WTF was that free-kick to Argentina, very dangerous Mexico break as well

France's strength in depth is beyond ridiculous. Kante, Pogba, Benzema and Nkunku all out yet they don't appear to be missing a beat.

Mbappe running the show. Denmark can't live with him, shame he's such a massive whopper because what a player he is.

I wouldn't disagree that it's a weaker area for us but not a weakness per se, in my eyes anyway. It's all opinions but I really like Ward-Prowse and think he wouldn't look at of place in the Liverpool side as a Henderson replacement and then he's a main-stay for England, equally I could be talking complete bollocks. Another who's not a very fashionable name but Longstaff has been a fixture of 3rd place Newcastle's midfield and could have been bought as an option for the deeper lying role. I think out of a pool of: Bellingham, Rice, Henderson, Ward-Prowse, Phillips, Longstaff & Gallagher whilst arguably (Bellingham aside) not going to sell a large amount of shirts you can put together some definite quality and balance. Then on the periphery: Ramsey, Loftus-Cheek & would probably include Wilock in the conversation after Newcastle's start and him being a starter in the middle 3 alongside Longstaff.

Wonder who’ll pick up Saudi Arabia’s manager once this tournament is done. Or will he be sufficiently supplied with enough briefcases of cash to stay. They clearly do have some individual quality but their setup tactically is very impressive.

Simulation needs to be footballs next target for eradication. Drives me absolutely insane how a blind eye is turned to it currently, despite it being a yellow card offence.

Take one less right back and Ward-Prowse is a good option also.

Poland 3rd place finishes in 82 and 74, that’ll show him!