The depth of the French team, particularly forward line, is impressive.

Small sample - enjoying the game flowing in World Cup. Less petulant decisions, fewer red cards (first game aside), fewer set piece goals and more open play goals. Perhaps that’s a product of teams less defensively drilled as less time to work on that, and / or attacking instincts just tend to surface in world cups.

Again small sample, but shows how poor the PL was last season with the manner of games, cards, officiating, pens and set piece goals. Hopefully that gets managed out.

Now if they can just fix these ridiculous hydration breaks.

1 hour ago, SydneyChelsea said:

I'm a massive fan of Tchouameni but to be honest he looks busted. I think he's been damaged goods by the chaos at Real Madrid.

I was a fan before he went to Real Madrid, but I have only seen him slowly regress.

39 year old Messi still delivering. What a joy he has been to watch - 6 consecutive world cups for him now.

Hat-trick for Messi. And some people think Ronaldo is better than this guy? Nobody ever has been better than Messi.

And there is his hat trick. Joint all time top scorer.

Messi, Haaland and Mbappe all showing up. Pressure on Ronaldo and Kane now.

The best part of this world cup so far is that the football is flowing, even with the annoying drinks break. It's nothing like the Premier League where the corners, throw ins and free kicks take an age. They have even been lenient on fouls for the most part. The refs in this country won't learn from this though and I expect the usual mistakes to happen on game day 1 of the new season.

10 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

The best part of this world cup so far is that the football is flowing, even with the annoying drinks break. It's nothing like the Premier League where the corners, throw ins and free kicks take an age. They have even been lenient on fouls for the most part. The refs in this country won't learn from this though and I expect the usual mistakes to happen on game day 1 of the new season.

Exactly this. There is a freedom and flow to the games. Football being fun again.

3 hours ago, PhilH930 said:

The depth of the French team, particularly forward line, is impressive.

Small sample - enjoying the game flowing in World Cup. Less petulant decisions, fewer red cards (first game aside), fewer set piece goals and more open play goals. Perhaps that’s a product of teams less defensively drilled as less time to work on that, and / or attacking instincts just tend to surface in world cups.

Again small sample, but shows how poor the PL was last season with the manner of games, cards, officiating, pens and set piece goals. Hopefully that gets managed out.

Now if they can just fix these ridiculous hydration breaks.

Teams tend to play a bit more open in group stage, the ugy ball tend to start once knockout round start

Edited June 17Jun 17 by Bob stark

Bit surreal having a World Cup match live on TV on whilst having breakfast (and being on here!)

And Austria have just scored and not a bad goal either!

‘Hydration break’ at this time of the morning means make some coffee !😀

1-1 now.

I'm finding it so bizarre that Asian teams have done pretty well in this first round of the World Cup.

Japan, South Korea, Australia and Iran have fielded some of their weakest sides for 20 years, considering these are sides that regularly had players starring in the top 5 European leagues since the mid 00s. Saudi and Qatar probably improved, and Iraq and Jordan are new and unknown. Yet this is easily the best first round results that AFC has ever had.

5 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

Messi, Haaland and Mbappe all showing up. Pressure on Ronaldo and Kane now.

Ronaldo will be the dead weight sinking Portugal's chances.

8 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

Hat-trick for Messi. And some people think Ronaldo is better than this guy? Nobody ever has been better than Messi.

I'm convinced the people that actually prefer Ronaldo are closeted homosexuals.

The Messi show begins. Messi winning the world cup again is a good narrative. And there was our very own Enzo playing his part.

I thought Argentina looked good in the first half with their typical spraying the ball around with breaks of good dribbling with support.

On Messi he was superb and even on the ruled out goal his feet were on-side just his upper body over the line. I think this offside rule is crazy unless you head the ball in and also you have VAR checking all goals so if they wanted to they could make the distinction.

7 hours ago, erskblue said:

Bit surreal having a World Cup match live on TV on whilst having breakfast (and being on here!)

That is me watching Chelsea every weekend.

Today there is a game in Dallas. I still have not forgiven TT for not selecting Cole Palmer for the England squad. I mean seriously WTF

I thought our Chels squad was an unlikable bunch but just looking at the options TT can pick from tonight and my God it wipes the floor with us.

Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Djed Spence, Bukayo Saka and that walking speech impediment that is Harry Kane.

That is nearly impossible to support.

5 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

I'm convinced the people that actually prefer Ronaldo are closeted homosexuals.

I have to admit to liking Ronaldo, just checking the meaning of closeted...🤫

Edited June 17Jun 17 by OTL

36 minutes ago, OTL said:

I have to admit to liking Ronaldo, just checking the meaning of closeted...🤫

You’ll go down a treat on any Cologne Christmas Festival open mic night.

Ronaldo giving Bruno instructions. Pffft.

Neto goes down holding his face for no reason. Fingers crossed it doesn’t become a habit.