FIFA WC 26 - Other Nations LIVE Match Thread ⚽

[rebelliousfeminist974]

Kai Havertz converts a penalty in the fifth minute of first half stoppage time for Germany to extend their lead to 3-1.

 

[rebelliousfeminist974]

Germany leading Curacao 3-1 going into the half.

 

[rebelliousfeminist974]

Germany got the job done 7-1 over Curacao in their World Cup group E opener.

 

[HappyGuus]

Morning all. I need my own hydration break after yesterday But worth it!

An expected result against Curacao. They're really going to struggle in each match. But take the little wins, like scoring.

 

[Encomium]

We have been in their place before and Germany usually goes hard in their first game.

 

[rebelliousfeminist974]

We have been in their place before and Germany usually goes hard in their first game.

Germany will want to go hard and hit the ground running even more so this cycle given that they were grouped in their past two World Cup campaigns.

 

[Son of Sam]

48 teams gives us results like this. I predicted 5 nil, so not that far off.

I remember when they expanded from 24 to 32 in 1998.

The standard of the tournament was clearly compromised.

I think it took until the 2010 WC for the 32 nations format to finally feel right.

But how long will it take for a 48 team WC to feel legitimate’?

 

[rebelliousfeminist974]

But how long will it take for a 48 team WC to feel legitimate’?

I don't think a 48 team World Cup will ever feel legitimate given that FIFA is fully focussed on expansion and sooner or later they'll want a 64 team World Cup which will only see more minnows getting routed by the powerhouse sides.

 

[Son of Sam]

I don't think a 48 team World Cup will ever feel legitimate given that FIFA is fully focussed on expansion and sooner or later they'll want a 64 team World Cup which will only see more minnows getting routed by the powerhouse sides.

Imagine if FIFA were strict about player eligibility? Morocco at one stage had ZERO players born in Morocco on the pitch.

I understand the geo-political reasons, but it still does not feel right.

 

[rebelliousfeminist974]

Netherlands and Japan now underway in their World Cup group F opener, with the Netherlands kicking from left to right and Japan kicking from right to left.

 

[JS96]

Suzuki with a good save after very good early Netherlands chance

 

[rebelliousfeminist974]

Netherlands and Japan scoreless at the quarter time hydration break.

 

[rebelliousfeminist974]

Three minutes of first half stoppage time.

 

[rebelliousfeminist974]

Netherlands and Japan scoreless going into the half.

 

[Socceroofan4life]

Very even game. Netherlands I would say better but Japan good defensively for the most part except for set pieces.

Think Japan will snag it though. Longer the game goes on think they sneak in a goal or two on the break.

 

[Son of Sam]

Is this Martin Tyler’s first match? As someone said, due to his age, he needed a co-commentator.

And it certainly has allowed him to sound more lively

 

[LFC]

VVD da man

 

[LFC]

Jap score 1-1

 

[rebelliousfeminist974]

VVD da man

Virgil van Dijk scores in the 51st minute to give the Netherlands a 1-0 lead, also scoring his first Netherlands goal at a major tournament. Ryan Gravenberch with the assist.

 

[rebelliousfeminist974]

Jap score 1-1

Keito Nakamura scores in the 57th minute for Japan to level the scores at 1-1. Takefusa Kubo with the assist.