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FIFA WC 26 - Other Nations LIVE Match Thread ⚽

Feel for Norway they pushed England who looked average but football is about scoring goals a crucial goal keeping mistake proved the difference.

I think the second Norway goal which was disallowed is a bit controversial, yes it looked like contact but how much was that push or did Anderson sell the referee? Either way it was crucial as a 2-1 would have been a different game.

But Norway should be proud to make it this far at a World Cup, for a population of 5 million people where they are a completive sporting nation like us they are a inspiration to look at in terms of our development.

For England they haven’t been convincing, similar to their euro run actually but they are looking solid, the got two world class players up front which has made a difference for them but I feel to win the World Cup they need to increase their level as the likes of Argentina assuming they get through or France or Spain will be a step up in quality.
But they can win the World Cup because they got a chance now and that’s all you need to win one.
 
rebelliousfeminist974 said:
The standard of refereeing has largely been inconsistent for the entirety of this World Cup cycle though so it's understandable that there are accusations of games being rigged.
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Yeah that's fair (especially looking at some Argentina and Portugal games), but in today's match it felt more like an incompetent ref rather than a malicious ref imo, if they specifically wanted England to win there's a lot more easy ways to do it. I find a lot of the online meltdowns about England funny considering how many times they've been screwed by FIFA and wc referees in the last 40+ years haha
 
Wolfman said:
Yeah that's fair (especially looking at some Argentina and Portugal games), but in today's match it felt more like an incompetent ref rather than a malicious ref imo, if they specifically wanted England to win there's a lot more easy ways to do it. I find a lot of the online meltdowns about England funny considering how many times they've been screwed by FIFA and wc referees in the last 40+ years haha
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FIFA would rather want England win than Norway due to TV ratings which would go through the roof if its them vs Argentina.

Not saying this was the deciding factor but it felt like it espeically with some of the decisions in the game.
 
riquelmes_laces said:
Can’t remember the last time all top 4 ranked teams were in the Semis.
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Never - this is apparently the first time (since rankings were used by FIFA - which was in time for 1994).
Conveniently, this is the first World Cup where the procedure for the Draw meant that the top 4 were kept in separate quarters of the knockout bracket should they top their group (which they did).


I'm going to put a lot in this post, because today has really been... something.

I am a bit filthy at the way FIFA has handled Spidercam's assist (@rebelliousfeminist974 - you might need to update your post with who scored/who got the assist!).

The issue is - based off footage available (and I think that BBC hawkeye thing is damning evidence too), either this snicko isn't working properly, or it's selectively being used.

As for the second yellow/send off for Embolo - that was absolutely perfect. It's about time we use something like that to get someone sent off. Now.. was his first yellow a yellow? I think not - but in isolation, his dive/second yellow was handled perfectly by VAR.

Now the reason it's not applied consistently remember, is that it was overturned under 'Mistaken Identity' - which means that the defender who makes the challenge has to be given a yellow or red card initially by the referee, for the VAR to then sanction the player who dived when overturning it. If there's no yellow card given for that foul, VAR doesn't look at it - simple as that.

HOWEVER (see what I did there) - today was the perfect storm where a questionable first yellow has led into a slam dunk second yellow. I've seen some people around the blocks say that VAR should then take discretion because the first yellow was harsh, and shouldn't be sent off - but if you do that, you'll open so many cans of worms that we're never going to have a fishing crisis.
 
Been some Rippa goals hitting top corners this cup.
Alvarez’s just wow - like Norways first goal just dropping in top corners.
Luvely to see.
Kudos to the Swiss what a battle it was but once down to 10 it was coming.
Sorry for them just as for Norway.

I am not convinced the Poms can do the Argies.
Take Bellingham out they do not have others who drive forward like him with conviction and to boot finish.
Gonna be a classic battle that’s for sure !
Please Spain knock off the entitled ones.
 
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I don't think England has had a player like Bellingham for a very long time, if ever. Then you've got Kane as well.

Take those two out the team and I think you have a beatable Prem side.

Kane & Bellingham take England to the elite level.

If England do win the WC, those two would be my picks for Ballon d'Or.
 
Switzerland were winning that game until the brain fade from Embolo

I don't think Argentina have the quality to win. France and Spain are far better teams.

Still waiting on the other angle btw on that Macallister challenge.
 
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