It started off politely with Gary Lineker making a very sensible statement/broadcast/whatever about Qatar. But will be will be. Iran players then showed their bravery (footballers should not need to be brave in the FIFA World Cup) by refusing to sing the anthem. TBH not a big deal, I doubt any English players could sing the 2nd or 3rd verses – I could not! However these guys (is this a sexist word? Can I refer to girls as guys? – I think so, but may be I am not woke enough) risked possible horrific retribution on return to Iran. And the England tried to humiliate them – fortunately they got 2 goals back which may have stymied Englands World Cup progress (more later).
Back to football. It all started off very politely with referees being on the ball and tackles being largely fair. The second round has been much more combative! But the first round., Ecuador comfortably beat Qatar who frankly seem to be out of their depth. Netherlands beat Senegal with some difficulty, but easily by the end. England thrashed Iran with a free flowing attacking game, but the manager criticised the giving away of 2 goals. Personally, and not being an ultra-nationalist moron (I hope), I would be happy with 6-2 very week, or 4-3, 5-4, 5-1, etc. However Southgate may know better than me!!! (at least I fucking hope so!).
USA totally trounce Wales in first half and then it is reversed in the second. At least Wales should go home with a point (will I regret this comment). Argentina, one of the pre-tournament favourites go down to Saudi Arabia. In my view they were unlucky with3 offside ‘goals’ disallowed fairly but on fine margins – I expect them to go further. Mexico-Poland was a bore, as was Denmark-Tunisia. France looked good against Australia with Mpappe coming of age with more experience.
Spain started off the group of death with a 7-0 thrashing of Costa Rica who looked like a minnow in the ocean. Another surprise was Germany losing 2-1 to Japan. TBH Japan were not that good, or Germany that bad. We will see. Morocco-Croatia was easily missed and Belgium – Canada not a lit better. Belgium have and have had so many good players but have never gelled as a team at the height of the World Cup (like the great Netherlands teams of the past, and some English and Spanish and Argentinian ones). where was I, oh yes, Switz-Cameroon looked like good middle table premiership sides and Brazil did what they needed against Serbia. Lastly Uruguay did a normal 0-0 draw against South Korea who must be missing Son. Then Portugal squeak past against Ghana.
So the second round.Senegal prove to be too good for Qatar -n not that difficult TBH. Ecuador hold the Netherlands (are they a team with great players who are not a team)? It seems that the tackles on the pitch are becoming a little more feisty! Referees having to be more pro-active. Anyway Group 2 which should be a doddle for England became more difficult with a dull 0-0 draw. Southgate must be listening to the dullards in the press and hooligan terraces. With a squad of immense talent he plays the same 11 as against Costa Rica despite it being a completely different side, and the impact of the heat. Wales loss to Iran was of a team not really up to the standard required – they may raise themselves against the English though? Hennessy sending of was deserved!
Argentina came through against Mexico in an emotional match. Messi scored again in his swanson World Cup. Personally I do think they are that good but would not write them off. Poland could be a dark horse with Lewandowski one of the best strikers in the world? Interesting games to come. France are through carnets players which could be important in the desert heat (although north said about this?). Australia in pole position. Costa Rica made Germany’s progress easier if G beat Spain tonight. An interesting game as I think that Germany are not that bad and Spain have a very young squad lacking experience. I think the first 20 minutes will be vital. A Spain win will mean Germany might need to score a few against Costa Rica, not too difficult I believe.
Belgium have just lost to Morocco and have a difficult game against Croatia to come. All up for grabs here too! I think France are the only side through so far!
That is all for now. So far no team has won two in a row.