Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

Very disappointed with Senegal too. Just played for a draw, let the game drift, and eventually got sucker punched. Holland looked defensively solid, but not much spark going forward until one late goal from nowhere lead to another.

Wales got away with one, but that's also a great result for England. One more win guarantees progression and probable topping of the group. And none of the teams likely to be second in Group A should be that worrying for England either.

If England don't at least make the quarters from this position, it will be a massive failure.

Pleasantly surprised by England, but Iran may not have been fully focussed on the game. The two late goals were a bit of a worry, but it sounds as though one was a very dodgy VAR, and it is excusable to switch off a bit when you're 5-0 up. Just hope that doesn't flow through to tighter encounters.

Saudi Arabia upset Argentina 2-1!

Denmark and Tunisia play to a goalless draw.

sussexpob wrote:England should annihilate both of these teams

You may very well say that, but I'm not brave enough to comment. I've seen England play before

I've been listening to footie pundits all over, raving about Argentine and making a big deal about this being Messi's last world cup

I haven't believed it....... any of it.

and this is why. Humbled by Saudi Arabia.

Argentina found the net 4 times. They had 3 goals ruled out, correctly btw, for being offside and only scored with a penalty from the VAR reversal of the Harry Maguire decision from yesterday. I know VAR is sometimes criticised for being slow, but after 17 hours of deliberation they finally came to the right decision during a completely different match.

The two goals that KSA scored were excellent goals, the second in particular was an absolute stunner. Early contender for goal of the tournament, I reckon. His control under pressure was excellent, his composure was complete, the shot itself was a snorter rifled into the top corner

I laughed my socks off when I saw the scoreline

Argentina favourites to lift the WC?

my @rse

bigfluffylemon wrote:The two late goals were a bit of a worry, but it sounds as though one was a very dodgy VAR

What I appreciated today at the end of the Denmark game, was that the ref was not swayed by a stupid VAR recall. Today's was not a pen and the ref got it so right the first time that he quickly waved the VAR recall away. Sadly, there seems to be a general expectation that when the ref gets called over to look at the monitor that he will surely change his mind, and I think that's what happened yesterday in the England game. Refs need to be stronger

Durhamfootman wrote:Argentina favourites to lift the WC?

my @rse

In 1990 they lost to Cameroon, still billed as arguably the biggest upset in WC history....

They went on to narrowly lose the final on a late penalty....

Not sure it means anything, although in this case I do agree that they are second favourites for the tournament, but its the worst Argentina team in my lifetime

From watching it today Messi wont have an impact at all if they leave him that isolated. The Argentina midfield were absent and the Saudi press seemed to really hem then in. Played a high line and Argentina just did not seem to have the pace.

Someone said today Argentina had not lost for nearly 3 years? That seems strange if true. Is Lo Celso injured?

In defence of Saudi though i thought they played well. They always play well against Australia but ill be honest and say this is a slightly greater challenge . Maybe better suited to conditions.

I will be really impressed if they can continue with this press for the next few games. Such high intensity that it is going to have to have an impact.

No idea how Mexico play but i think they Argentina will fair better against Poland.

I woke up to hear that Aus had taken an early 1-0 lead over France. Turned on the telly to find it 1-1, and then watch Aus concede another through a schoolboy error. France have (not surprisingly) looked the stronger side in the 25 minutes I watched.

Australia has had a go, but i think France are going to get a few more goals here.

Was always going to be tough for Australia, but disappointing nonetheless.

Hard to see them getting out of the group.

Australia did their best for 45. Thought Jackson Irvine was brilliant, was everywhere for 60 minutes....but they tired under wave after wave of France pressure. Quality told in the end.

No disgrace tbf. Played a very strong unit, and if that header had hit 2 inches to the right, it could have been 2-2 and different

sussexpob wrote:Australia did their best for 45. Thought Jackson Irvine was brilliant, was everywhere for 60 minutes....but they tired under wave after wave of France pressure. Quality told in the end.

No disgrace tbf. Played a very strong unit, and if that header had hit 2 inches to the right, it could have been 2-2 and different

Agreed.

Even with injuries ruling out Kante, Benzema, Pogba and Varane, France looked very good.

France 4-1 Australia.

Another goalless draw. This time between Croatia and Morocco.

except to say that France looked much better going forward than they did in defence. I thought France looked very very ordinary defensively, but they'll take some stopping in attack.

Australia will be rueing a couple of missed opportunities