FIFA 2022 World Cup Group stage: Sponsored by Bud

[Jimmy Floyd]

Think this game is going to be a lot harder than Uruguay have bargained for. It is everything to Ghana. Far more than the subsequent last 16 tie vs Brazil would be.

[CJay]

Ronaldo starting with the B team. A desperate man.

Fancy South Korea to get the win but think Ghana will avoid defeat, so coming down to goal difference.

[Magic]

Which match then gents?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1-0 Portugal. South Korea on the ropes.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The first 4 minutes have seen Gimenez feigning injury in the hope it would lead to a VAR check on a wholly innocent foot in from Kudus, and then Darwin Nuñez throwing himself to the ground after zero contact. These guys only know one way to play.

[CJay]

1-0 Portugal. South Korea on the ropes.

The Korean full back was beaten so easily.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I think that might be a penalty.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That was not offside and should be a penalty.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Smash it in please Ayew.

[CJay]

Love the ‘protect the penalty spot’ tactic we’ve seen a few times. :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Darwin is such a scummy little cunt.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fucking hell lad, what a shit penalty.

[CJay]

That was awful.

[Waffdon]

Left footers - other than Baines - should not be able to take pens

[Jimmy Floyd]

Gyan in 2010 had proper courage, missed the brave penalty option by a whisker and then nailed it in the shootout like a legend.

That penalty, on the other hand, was cowardly dogshit.

[CJay]

I’m liking De Arrascaeta. One of those players that modern coaches hate because he has a bit of guile and plays risky through balls.

And here we go. :drool:

[Waffdon]

Of course Suarez is involved :D

[igor_balis]

What a nation of absolute bottlers.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Shit from the CB's and the keeper there.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Uruguay are just bad people. I really can't stand them.

That said, them vs Brazil would be a lovely historical last 16 game.

[CJay]

Is it recency bias or is there far more final day drama in the group stage in this World Cup?

[CJay]

Uruguay are just bad people. I really can't stand them.

That said, them vs Brazil would be a lovely historical last 16 game.

Neymar will get kicked to pieces if he returns for that.

[Ben]

I turn it on just now and the first thing I see is some Uruguayan smashing Ayew. :D

[Manc]

Lovely.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's over.

Good goal.

[CJay]

He’s a don. :cool:

[Waffdon]

I’m liking De Arrascaeta. One of those players that modern coaches hate because he has a bit of guile and plays risky through balls.

And here we go. :drool:

Well done you. You have destroyed the TTH curse. Red or black?

[CJay]

It's over.

Good goal.

Another South Korea goal sees them through instead.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Is it recency bias or is there far more final day drama in the group stage in this World Cup?

There is more drama this time I think - very balanced draw, zero hopeless minnows and a good fixture list. Not a single dead rubber I don't think, from memory.

[Ben]

Uruguay are going to batter Neymar. :drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

I think Uruguay would need a third if Korea took the lead now. Could be wrong.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I think Uruguay would need a third if Korea took the lead now. Could be wrong.

Correct. Korea would be ahead on goals scored.

Korea would have 4 with Uruguay on 2.

[Baz]

Has Darwin Nunez been as laughably bad as the first two games?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Has Darwin Nunez been as laughably bad as the first two games?

So far he's fallen over and been booked for dissent, so yeah.

[CJay]

Has Darwin Nunez been as laughably bad as the first two games?

Had a good chance which he neatly dinked over the keeper but it was hooked away by a defender. He’s looked alright.

[Waffdon]

The Ghana physios look like something off of GTa

[Jimmy Floyd]

The best thing that can happen to this game is for it to turn into street warfare for some comedy cards/antics.

[CJay]

Suarez sprinting really looks like someone trying to run with elastic ropes holding them back. :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Ronaldo :harold:

Lukaku-esque miss.

[CJay]

Uruguay are nestled between Eritea and Mongolia in the global population table. 132nd overall. Only Croatia (and Qatar obvs) come anywhere near their lowly 3.5 million. Impressive how they churn out so many decent players.

[Lofty]

Is the Ghana game only on iPlayer?

[CJay]

is the ghana game only on iplayer?

bbc2.

[Lofty]

Fucking Virgin Media player making me feel senile.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Uruguay are nestled between Eritea and Mongolia in the global population table. 132nd overall. Only Croatia (and Qatar obvs) come anywhere near their lowly 3.5 million. Impressive how they churn out so many decent players.

One population centre, high GDP (per capita easily the richest in South America, and above countries like Poland, Hungary, Croatia) and football is literally the only thing they do - probably not as outrageous as it seems that they produce good players. What's more impressive is that they've been good for nearly 100 years without any significant drop-off.

Croatia are doing a similar thing but only for 25 years thus far. Sometimes in larger countries there are almost too many people, in the sense that there are more barriers to the absolute best talent rising to the top.

[Pepe]

About to tune in. Where are the lols at?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I think the lols have probably been and gone, unless Korea go in front.

[Dave.]

zero hopeless minnows

Well, apart from Wales.

Oh, and Qatar.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Both Ayews subbed off at half time, I would put my money on dressing room argument there.

[CJay]

Just about got the ball.

Loved Addo confidently indicating a dive. :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

Suarez booked for timewasting and then immediately substituted, the most Uruguayan thing ever.

[Manc]

VAR so caught up with imaginary lines they missed a stamp Vinnie Jones would have been proud of.

[niko_cee]

Got to say I don't get that Nunez one unless it's handball in the build-up [which I thought it might be]. Defender absolutely scythes him down, and even if he gets a doubtful toe to the ball, he gets the man first. Ref just completely bottled giving anything hoping for the VAR safety net.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Got to say I don't get that Nunez one unless it's handball in the build-up [which I thought it might be]. Defender absolutely scythes him down, and even if he gets a doubtful toe to the ball, he gets the man first. Ref just completely bottled giving anything hoping for the VAR safety net.

I've seen quite a few refs do this, just freeze and put their hand to their ear. The first rule of refereeing live in technicolour.

[CJay]

Son has had superhero complex for the whole tournament.

[Pepe]

There's the lols.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hwang :cool:

[CJay]

Yes!

This is the drama we needed.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Wait until Uruguay realise...

[CJay]

Son has had superhero complex for the whole tournament.

Pre assist for me Waff.

[Lewis]

Ronaldo goes off and they fall to bits.

[Lewis]

lol at Suarez bealing.

[Yevrah]

That was immense. So hope they hang on.

[Pepe]

Is this a Fair Play qualification?

EDIT: Nevermind, misread the chart.

[Baz]

Great World Cup so far innit

[Jimmy Floyd]

This is such a weird dynamic in Ghana v Uruguay. Both sides need a goal desperately but neither can ship one.

[Baz]

https://img.bleacherreport.net/img/slides/photos/003/723/442/b8ffd87d7b382f250a8d7904e4fa14f2_crop_exact.jpg?w= 2975&h=2048&q=85

[Waffdon]

Thank fuck for the World Cup because this graduation thing I’m at might be the most mind numbing experience ever

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Is this a Fair Play qualification?

Goals scored.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Lol Suarez

[Lewis]

Actually, I can be doing without another team of East Asian gimps cleaning their changing room and collecting litter.

[CJay]

That looked a penalty to me.

[Manc]

Yeah that's a pen.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The dives are coming :drool:

[Pepe]

Isn't everything a penalty in VAR times?

[niko_cee]

Yeah, stonewall penalty if that's Messi on the end of it, again. [even though in reality it's never a penalty and obviously being played for by Cavani]

[Jimmy Floyd]

Zigi Stardust with these needlessly spectacular diving saves is helping the vibe here, I must say.

[niko_cee]

South Korean fans must be doing their nuts seeing Ghana go all out in the pursuit of the impossible. Kind of hard to get overly hyped up about lolling at Uruguay when the beneficiaries are one of the least interesting teams going and entirely undeserving of going through on the back of beating a B-team. Maybe their organisation can stun Brazil.

[Magic]

:harold:

[Lewis]

The ego to be taking that shot on then.

[Magic]

Assaulting the ref. :harold:

[Pepe]

Get fucked Mini-Argentina.

[Waffdon]

What a World Cup

[Don]

Don't disrespect South Korean football, it's fucking quality entertainment.

[Pepe]

Serbia-Switzerland for the borefest of the tournament.

[-james-]

The Ghana players giving up to eliminate Uruguay. :roflol:

[Yevrah]

That was outstanding and all the evidence you could ever need as to why four team groups must stay.

[Boydy]

Serbia-Switzerland for the borefest of the tournament.

It will be, won't it? Although I'm not sure the Brazil game will be any good either since they don't really have anything to play for tonight.

Not sure which one to watch.

[Manc]

The level of seeth when VAR inevitably does England over will be immense. Neville will combust.

[Yevrah]

Much like when we lost to Germany in 2010, any injustices on Sunday won’t be the reason we lose if we do.

[randomlegend]

Hahaha get fucked Suarez.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Suarez being booked for timewasting with half an hour to go, then sobbing uncontrollably from the bench as his team go in a hopeless search for a goal at the end, is just perfect. Nice to see Ghana get some revenge shithousing in too.

[Giggles]

That was beautiful.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Seen the pen shout again, it wasn't a pen - handball in build-up and then Cavani just runs across the defender and causes the contact himself. Really good decision by the ref.

Scenes afterwards just what you get from them. Hopefully Colombia/Chile and some others can pull their fingers out and stop them qualifying for the next one.

[Bernanke]

1598698752574996480

[Ian]

Suarez being booked for timewasting with half an hour to go, then sobbing uncontrollably from the bench as his team go in a hopeless search for a goal at the end, is just perfect. Nice to see Ghana get some revenge shithousing in too.

There are few things in football more satisfying than seeing him desperately unhappy.

[Lewis]

The Cameroon defender who just got booked looks like a young Garth Crooks.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm the first to slate kit assignments when they're bad, so let me say that these ones in Brazil v Cameroon are pure perfection. Brazilian socks in particular.

[Manc]

ITV getting it wrong again.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I honestly cannot believe that they think the Matterface/Dixon combo has any merit whatsoever. They are just a pair of twats, bad broadcasters and they're on all the biggest games. Why?

[SincereTheRebel]

That style of goal from Mitro is one of my favorites.

[Magic]

Serbia-Switzerland for the borefest of the tournament.

You filthy cunt.

[Manc]

Breel Embolo looking like a lab experiment.

[Don]

I need more spice in this game which should come as Serbia get more and more desperate but lol at benching Vlahovic, the useless fucks.

And Antony remains an absolute clown.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Balls. I want Serbia through or Cameroon.

[thommo]

Vlahovic had an injury coming in to the tournament, hence the early substitution here today too.

They've been the most entertaining side mainly because they just can't defend.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm out for Portugal v Switzerland so fucking jackpot.

Cameroon have done quite well here given about 6 of their XI are shite, and the ref is clinically insane.

[Waffdon]

Switzerland been involved in the game of the tournament back to back. Maybe they’ve changed

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Switzerland been involved in the game of the tournament back to back. Maybe they’ve changed
Nah, they've always got this in them but their default is always turgid shit. They'll go back to that for the knockouts.

[thommo]

What was the last game of the tournament the Swiss we're involved in? They've always been pretty dull.

[Magic]

Nailed on racist comment incoming for that black lad telling the Serbo bench to sit down

[Giggles]

Yeah the ‘Serbos’ are real popular.

[Ben]

What a foul by Aboubakar. :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Mitrovic :lol:

[Adramelch]

What was the last game of the tournament the Swiss we're involved in? They've always been pretty dull.

They had a couple of back to back bangers against France and Spain in the Euros.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Aboubakar :cool:

He's too good.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Legendary goal, but he's going to be sent off for taking his shirt off.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Legendary goal, but he's going to be sent off for taking his shirt off.
The ref was great there though congratulating him first.

[thommo]

They had a couple of back to back bangers against France and Spain in the Euros.

Oh of course, that French game was incredible. I'd bypassed Euro 2020 in my mind and was thinking back to Russia.

[Ben]

Aboubakar ffs. :D

Plenty of needle in the other game with Albanian Xhaka and the Serbs.

[SvN]

Xhaka must be the biggest retard at the world cup falling for these antics.

[Ben]

The Serbs are itching for a scrap down on the bench. No surrender.

[thommo]

I don't really think the Swiss had clocked Cameroon were winning. That was a decent chance for Serbia at the death and they didn't really give a shit.

[Giggles]

I hope Xhaka gets a red here after for all that crying after the game. Take the win and fuck off you mong.

[Waffdon]

Netherlands vs USA ����
���� Argentina vs Australia ����
���� France vs Poland ����
�������������� England vs Senegal ����
���� Japan vs Croatia ����
���� Brazil vs South Korea ����
���� Morocco vs Spain ����
���� Portugal vs Switzerland ����

All look fairly obvious but assume we will get a shock or two.

[Giggles]

Netherlands vs USA ����
���� Argentina vs Australia ����
���� France vs Poland ����
�������������� England vs Senegal ����
���� Japan vs Croatia ����
���� Brazil vs South Korea ����
���� Morocco vs Spain ����
���� Portugal vs Switzerland ����

All look fairly obvious but assume we will get a shock or two.

What are all the question marks about?

[Waffdon]

Copied and pasted from Twitter and had the flags on it. My phone made out it would post them but evidently not. Cba editing and deleting

[wullie]

Southgate has ended up with the best record from the entire group stage, and from the group statistically the strongest too. You can see why France tried to chuck it against Tunisia and get on the other side of the draw

[Ian]

I miss the group stages already. :(

[Jimmy Floyd]

If we play France, and we should really, it will be a proper game for the ages. All cheese banished from my fridge if/when it's confirmed.

We're all Japan fans vs Croatia, right?

[Ian]

Croatia must be tired by now surely.

[Waffdon]

Huge fan of Xhaka having Serbia players on strings for the 2nd consecutive WC.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Serbia since 2000

WC 2002: DNQ
Euro 2004: DNQ
WC 2006: last in group
Euro 2008: DNQ
WC 2010: last in group
Euro 2012: DNQ
WC 2014: DNQ
Euro 2016: DNQ
WC 2018: 3rd in group
Euro 2020: DNQ
WC 2022: last in group

Time to shit or get off the pot I think. By get off the pot I mean we stop taking them seriously.

[niko_cee]

Definitely a strange discrepancy versus Croatia's record over the last 25 years.

[Lewis]

1598644262526066688

:lol:

[SincereTheRebel]

I thought this Morrocon on was Nordin Amrabat

[Lewis]

https://i.imgur.com/k14B15Z.png

:cool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm supporting #USMNT. Stars and stripes, baby.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

US to cause an upset.

USA! USA! USA! USA!

[Shindig]

G'wan, Wild West Britain. G'wan, Upside Down Britain.

[Lewis]

Death to America.

[Shindig]

Now I want a Lewis version of the Satanic Verses.

[Magic]

Biden tweeting Adams. :drool:

[Lewis]

I assumed that meant Gerry Adams.

[Magic]

I wouldn't put it past him.

[Jimmy Floyd]

There's the shot of Infantino again. Every single game at a completely incongruous moment, so it must be contractual. Does he wank off to the footage at night?

[Shindig]

Depends who's in charge of the footage, really. I assume FIFA has their own crew.

[Adramelch]

That was a simple, yet very nice goal.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was a fantastic goal.

[Shindig]

Precise.

[Don]

Dullest day of WC incoming.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Buckle up lads, it's going to be thrilling.

[Jimmy Floyd]

States are very good in a lot of ways, but atrocious at kicking the football. Only goals thus far have come off Pulisic's cock and slid in by Weah. You see it every time they break forward, the running and movement are great, then there's no clue.

[Shindig]

I don't think they've got enough goals in them. They've been kind of toothless through the group stage.

[Magic]

They'll tire out at 55 mins and lose 4-1.

[Lewis]

Buckle up lads, it's going to be thrilling.

https://i.imgur.com/ZGDIvwD.png

[Jimmy Floyd]

They're going back to Ronald Koeman after this. Is there no one else available?

[Adramelch]

Depay being just 8 goals shy of being the all-time top scorer for the Dutch just feels wrong somehow.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The final ball for USA thus far has always been wank.

[7om]

Has Gio Reyna’s career gone to shit or something? How can he not get in this side when they’re so desperate for a bit of quality up front.

[Shindig]

Depay being just 8 goals shy of being the all-time top scorer for the Dutch just feels wrong somehow.

Gigi Riva still holds Italy's record on a paltry 35. You'd think someone would've broke that by now.

[Lewis]

They're going back to Ronald Koeman after this. Is there no one else available?

I'm looking at their coaching history now, and the running order suggests that, unless Guus Hiddink comes out of retirement for his third attempt, either Dick Advocaat is due a fourth crack at it, or they have to try another binman.

[igor_balis]

Depay being just 8 goals shy of being the all-time top scorer for the Dutch just feels wrong somehow.

Goalscorer records for countries are utterly meaningless as a measure of quality or even impact really. They're mostly just a representation of how many times you got to put 4 past a Moldova or Lithuania or whatever.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Daley Blind rolling back the years.

[Lewis]

Another Louis van Gaal Big Game masterclass.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This Holland (NOT the netherlands) team is like watching paint dry, but if they end Messi's serious career next week I'll be grateful to them.

[Adramelch]

Goalscorer records for countries are utterly meaningless as a measure of quality or even impact really. They're mostly just a representation of how many times you got to put 4 past a Moldova or Lithuania or whatever.

Oh yeah, for sure, you'd just think someone like van Nistelrooy/van Persie/Huntelaar would have done that more.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Oh yeah, for sure, you'd just think someone like van Nistelrooy/van Persie/Huntelaar would have done that more.

Only Van Persie really played enough games to break the record.

Not sure why he didn't score many for the national side though. Playing him at LW? A lot of sub appearances?

[Spikey M]

Too tired from all the raping.

[Lewis]

Oh yeah, for sure, you'd just think someone like van Nistelrooy/van Persie/Huntelaar would have done that more.

I would have guessed Patrick Kluivert was their top scorer. He was in the team from being young, played in that late-90s/early-2000s era where they had class players (and hated each other), and kept Ruud van Nistelrooy out the team for longer than was merited. Robin van Persie having over a hundred caps also surprised me seeing as he was a cripple for all but about three seasons.

[Adramelch]

That was some first touch.

Edit: And then he scores like that, even if by accident.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What a couple of minutes he's had.

Game on.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That came from Depay trying to do a fancy flick upfield. Sent home at full time.

[7om]

Yes! Come on you yank fucks.

[Waffdon]

Pulisic gonna get us our first extra time here

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Pulisic gonna get us our first extra time here

Dickhead.

[Magic]

Dull. 4-1 it is then.

[Boydy]

Atrocious marking there.

[Waffdon]

No idea why Robinson is defending like that :D

Wing backs forever the most important players in the team

[Jimmy Floyd]

USA have quite a lot going for them looking forward to 2026, but they need to fire Berhalter (who is a dweeb), and find a centre forward and someone who can take set pieces.

Oh and two centre backs, but that's obvious.

[Lewis]

It feels like America play like this at every World Cup. Lots of PRESSING (or HUSTLE), surprise a good team in the group stage, but then lose to the first team that can either out-run them (African) or out-tactic them (European). Their best bet is playing like absolute shit and robbing teams on late counter-attacks.

[Lewis]

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie...

[Shindig]

The narrative's going to switch to Brazil winning it for Pele soon. End of life care.

[Adramelch]

That pitch looks awful.

[igor_balis]

Argentina need to up their tempo, slowly passing it around in front of Australia's two banks of four is helping our antipodean cousins a lot.

[Magic]

God this is so boring.

[igor_balis]

Well, exactly

[Magic]

So arrogant. I'd like to see a jammy Aussie goal then a Mourinho esque defence for proper trolling.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Has anyone sat off Argentina like this in the group stage? Poland, I guess? There's not a lot going on other than 'give it to Uncle Leo'.

[igor_balis]

If you were playing against a significantly inferior side who're set up in a solid, narrow 4-42, surely slowly passing it about in front of them with no wide players pushing on is just about the worst way you can play, short of sticking Messi in goal.

[Jimmy Floyd]

You have to hand it to Australia, though. Even if they go on to lose this 4-0, their campaign might be one of the best uses of limited resources in World Cup history. The tactics are spot on every game.

[igor_balis]

What are Argentina even trying to do :D

[igor_balis]

Baccus on the Park Vs Pirlo role, good lad.

[Shindig]

Sigh.

[Lewis]

igor giving us all of his tactics posting now so he can park himself in the pub tomorrow going 'Is David Beckham on?'

[Adramelch]

How many goals has Messi scored with this exact shot from this exact position in his carreer do you reckon?

[Magic]

Sake. Goat.

[Jimmy Floyd]

God I hope Holland stuff these.

[niko_cee]

That pitch looks awful.

I was wondering this earlier in the tournament. I don't know if there are fewer venues than normal, but the schedule is pretty condensed so the pitches are going to be getting hammered. The one in the game earlier looked pretty ropey in the goal mouths.

[niko_cee]

Also, the sycophancy and fawning is just too much.

[igor_balis]

igor giving us all of his tactics posting now so he can park himself in the pub tomorrow going 'Is David Beckham on?'

:D

It was actually one good advantage of the Qatar stuff that all the nose bleeders are too busy (rightly, I guess) moaning about human rights and dead migrant workers to do the usual OHH did the footy man do a soccer touchdown in the footy net:charm:

[Spikey M]

There's a Welsh woman at my work but she's lived in England her entire life so she sits on the fence. Someone asked her who she was supporting before the England vs Wales match and she said "I'm supporting these" and held up a rainbow coloured notepad. 10/10 for prep. Fair play love.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Also, the sycophancy and fawning is just too much.

I don't know what it is, but Messi has always left me utterly cold. I'll take Zidane at his magisterial best over watching this midget drift towards goal and pass it into the far corner for the 54,134th time in his career.

[igor_balis]

There's a Welsh woman at my work but she's lived in England her entire life so she sits on the fence. Someone asked her who she was supporting before the England vs Wales match and she said "I'm supporting these" and held up a rainbow coloured notepad. 10/10 for prep. Fair play love.

:D omg

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've been having a long hard think about the 'LGBT' stuff (I don't really like any of the letters, but the Q is an abomination) and the more I think about it, the more I think it boils down to this: either you go to Qatar (or Dubai or any country on the banned list), or you give a shit about gay rights. There's no having it both ways.

I therefore conclude that the England team / the other teams concerned don't give a shit about gay rights, and will bear this in mind going forward.

I also think that the people who think we should lecture Qatar about gay rights, but shouldn't lecture them about other things, are intellectually dishonest and/or very thick.

[Pepe]

LGBTQ is just the trendy slogan of the day. In general, no one cares about anything, except for being one of the cool kids.

[Lewis]

I've been having a long hard think about the 'LGBT' stuff (I don't really like any of the letters, but the Q is an abomination) and the more I think about it, the more I think it boils down to this: either you go to Qatar (or Dubai or any country on the banned list), or you give a shit about gay rights. There's no having it both ways.

I therefore conclude that the England team / the other teams concerned don't give a shit about gay rights, and will bear this in mind going forward.

I also think that the people who think we should lecture Qatar about gay rights, but shouldn't lecture them about other things, are intellectually dishonest and/or very thick.

Weren't you previously defending Lewis Hamilton making even more pointless gestures than the footballers on the grounds that something is better than nothing?

[Yevrah]

Largely driven by it being clear as day that none of these fucks give two shits about any issues at all I'm increasingly coming round to Piers Morgan's way of thinking when it comes to the furore over Qatar hosting the World Cup.

[Pepe]

That Hamilton funded report on diversity in F1. :harold:

[igor_balis]

LGBTQ is just the trendy slogan of the day. In general, no one cares about anything, except for being one of the cool kids.

Plenty of people DO care though. Less than I wish did, but more than you reckon do, would be my back of a fag (arf) packet calculation. Corporate pride bullshit is bullshit, and the likes of the FA offering nothing but lip service to the ISSUES then pussying out of any real action at the first threat of "sporting sanctions" is the very definition of virtue signalling, but on an individual level there are plenty of people who do actually care about gay rights.

It's kinda lose lose though, cus if it's pronouns in bio, pride flag in profile picture you get the eye rolling and that tedious "I support the latest thing" I am very smart bullshit, but as soon as someone does anything vaguely disruptive it's like woah keep it in your own bedroom I didn't come here for a lecture on communism, why can't you find peaceful solutions blah blah.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Weren't you previously defending Lewis Hamilton making even more pointless gestures than the footballers on the grounds that something is better than nothing?

Probably. Maybe I've thought some more and revised my opinion.

(F1 drivers are in a worse contractual position vis a vis races there than footballers are vis a vis the World Cup, so I have more sympathy).

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's kinda lose lose though, cus if it's pronouns in bio, pride flag in profile picture you get the eye rolling and that tedious "I support the latest thing" I am very smart bullshit, but as soon as someone does anything vaguely disruptive it's like woah keep it in your own bedroom I didn't come here for a lecture on communism, why can't you find peaceful solutions blah blah.

The truth is that most people don't like gays. Some (like the Qataris) have the opportunity to say so outright, others have to dress it up in 'Stick to the football', but it's all the same thing. People want everyone to be the same as them, so as to validate their position in life, and if people are different to them they often become quite upset. I'm sure I've done it.

I, meanwhile, don't like the idea of shite goalkeepers playing it out from the back.

[Magic]

The truth is that most people don't like gays. Some (like the Qataris) have the opportunity to say so outright, others have to dress it up in 'Stick to the football', but it's all the same thing. People want everyone to be the same as them, so as to validate their position in life, and if people are different to them they often become quite upset. I'm sure I've done it.

I, meanwhile, don't like the idea of shite goalkeepers playing it out from the back.

Neither do the Qataris lol.

[mugbull]

Just popping in for my bi-annual reminder that Pepe is an unfunny loser trying hard to be Lewis

[Giggles]

I was surprised how quickly it was all brushed under the rug and forgotten about (along with the builder deaths, etc etc) once the first few balls were kicked. Then again, I shouldn’t have been. All this “it would have been easier to boycott” was always a load of cop-out bollocks anyway. Making money is the single only thing that matters, and if you can give a little sermon on your soapbox to tick a box at the same time then all the better.

[Baz]

Just popping in for my bi-annual reminder that Pepe is an unfunny loser trying hard to be Lewis

Seen your player on my FM save (https://www.thethirdhalf.co.uk/showthread.php?3067-Football-Manager-23&p=573958&viewfull=1#post573958)?

[Shindig]

Diversity and elite sport don't really go together. It's survival of the literal fittest and there ain't no grass roots entry into Formula 1.

[Lewis]

Realistically, England (or anyone else) can't not turn up to compete in a World Cup, so I don't think our stance on playing is particularly revealing of anything.

What is revealing is that the Football Association, for all of its 'One Love', turn up in the host nation and insult their [backwards] culture sanctimony (as an aside, in what other context would this be officially encouraged?), still has the equally homophobic, misogynist Dubai as the sponsor of its premier domestic cup competition. And as long as it does, its morality lectures are meaningless.

[Baz]

Gay-bashing aside, these kits must be pleasing you, Jimmy Floyd.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Our sanctimony blob has a weird blind spot for Dubai. Very weird, when you think about it.

[Spikey M]

I've been having a long hard think about the 'LGBT' stuff (I don't really like any of the letters, but the Q is an abomination) and the more I think about it, the more I think it boils down to this: either you go to Qatar (or Dubai or any country on the banned list), or you give a shit about gay rights. There's no having it both ways.

I therefore conclude that the England team / the other teams concerned don't give a shit about gay rights, and will bear this in mind going forward.

I also think that the people who think we should lecture Qatar about gay rights, but shouldn't lecture them about other things, are intellectually dishonest and/or very thick.

My position is unchanged. I have no desire to visit the Middle East, but no more so than 12 months ago. I'm not a fan of the human rights stuff, sure, but also from a selfish stand point. What could my wife and daughter wear out and about? Is hand holding allowed? Etc. I can't be arsed with getting arrested for accidentally showing too much affection / skin.

It's a backwards shithole on various levels. Even the most "liberal" part. Dubai building a giant tree out of sand and allowing people to drink over priced beer in their hotels does not change that.

That said, if people want to go, fair enough. Crack on I guess. I don't think it makes them ok with stoning gays any more than I think people going to Florida are OK with illegal abortions or the death penalty. I didn't have to proclaim a declaration of hatred towards the Kurds when I went to Turkey.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Gay-bashing aside, these kits must be pleasing you, Jimmy Floyd.

They are. Three-colour kits on both sides, just perfect.

[Pepe]

I don't know what it is, but Messi has always left me utterly cold. I'll take Zidane at his magisterial best over watching this midget drift towards goal and pass it into the far corner for the 54,134th time in his career.

The great first touch into perfect through ball players (may they rest in peace) were always far more pleasing to the eye than the dribbling cunts.

[Pepe]

My position is unchanged. I have no desire to visit the Middle East, but no more so than 12 months ago.

Me neither. That said, if I was an elite athlete and the top competition of my sport was happening there, I would definitely go, no matter what I might think of their backwards ways. For most of these players this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Asking them to forego it in the name of, well, pretty much anything, is naive as fuck.

[Jimmy Floyd]

lol. The ownest of own goals.

[Pepe]

Come on, Argies. Bottle this. :drool:

[Waffdon]

De Paul looks scarily similar to Ryan Fraser from a distance with the way he walks/runs

[Pepe]

How can he be so bad?

[Baz]

De Paul looks scarily similar to Ryan Fraser from a distance with the way he walks/runsAbout 45 times better at football though.

[Giggles]

Fucking hell they did get the chance.

[Shindig]

Jesus, Kuol had a moment.

[Lewis]

Fucking hell they did get the chance.

https://i.imgur.com/tcxmHkW.png

[Jimmy Floyd]

Something about Argentina/Messi/their fans properly grinds my gears. It's like they're somehow the opposite of everything I was brought up to believe in.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Look at the over-celebrating. Do you think the British Army did this at San Carlos Water?

[ItalAussie]

We weren't going to win the tournament, but that was a nice way to finish. Obviously Argentina were the better side overall, but we were right in it and didn't get embarrassed. It also wasn't nearly as devastating an exist as 2006, which leaves a better taste in the mouth. If it wasn't for two good efforts late by the keeper, we could've gotten them to extra time, but I'd be lying if I said they didn't deserve the win. Messi was probably the difference, which is a lot better than I'd hoped.

It was a good tournament for us overall. First time we'd ever won two matches in a row at a World Cup. The team didn't have the attacking stars of the 2006 side, but they were organised and probably better in defence. Hopefully we build on this -- I'd like to see us make the knockout stages at World Cups more often.

Souttar was a colossus. Leckie getting a goal to rid himself of his unwanted record was nice for him. Hopefully Kuol turns into a mainstay over the next decade.

[Lofty]

Looking forward to your next post in 2026.

[Dquincy]

I don't know what it is, but Messi has always left me utterly cold. I'll take Zidane at his magisterial best over watching this midget drift towards goal and pass it into the far corner for the 54,134th time in his career.
Such a strange take on someone who is unarguably one of the best football players to grace this planet.

These players should be quite rightly celebrated.

[Ian]

I'm with Jimmy to be honest, though in my case I know that at least a part of it is the fawning which gets super boring. And that for such an amazing player he's a properly charmless little twerp.

[Waffdon]

Autistic shaming :(

[Ian]

Well if that's what I was into then I'd have come to the right place.

[Ian]

Also these matches today are both gonna be pretty poo, aren't they?

[Waffdon]

France are the most fun team to watch and then we get the Southgate meltdowns to end the week if England aren’t 0-3 up at half time

[Shindig]

I'm with Jimmy to be honest, though in my case I know that at least a part of it is the fawning which gets super boring. And that for such an amazing player he's a properly charmless little twerp.

He's never cried on camera, so he's got that.

[Ian]

Games aren't good if only one team is, and Poland appear to be fucking awful.

[Baz]

I hope Argentina win it. It’s good for the Messi story.

[Jimmy Floyd]

A better story than 'talented man continues to succeed' would be something like 'talented man defeated in final by Harry Maguire'.

[Spikey M]

I hope Argentina lose and its somehow Messi's fault.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I hope Argentina lose and its somehow Messi's fault.

A Gerrard-esque slip.

[Giggles]

The only missed penno in a final shootout :drool:

[Ian]

I hope Argentina lose and its somehow Messi's fault.

:nodd:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Imagine the wanking, the GREATEST PLAYER EVER playing for a BIG TIME NATION having only won a single Copa America in his career.

Something that could be beaten by Gary Medel who won back to back Copa America's.