FIFA World Cup 2022

[Durhamfootman]

and now Germany get mugged

Their own fault for not putting the game to bed. 1-0 and cruising, umpteen chances squandered, a couple of subs with 15 mins to go and bang, bang, two terrfic goals.... sayonara!

from the moment Japan equalised they looked the most likely winners

Germany have to play Spain next to try and stay in the WC..... no pressure

[Durhamfootman]

Morocco hold Croatia. Decent enough game though

Croatia playing like an ageing team

It'll be interesting tonight to see if Belgium play like an ageing side too

[sussexpob]

Both Morocco and Croatia were very disappointing.

The Japan v Germany match will take some beating for entertainment. Both teams had chances, but Germany on another day could have scored 9 or 10. Just like last time, no top-quality striker meant they produced bags of chances, but couldn't put them away.

Spain are very strong, so Germany are really in the dog house now

[Durhamfootman]

Spain are off to a flyer

[Durhamfootman]

Spain make damned sure they don't suffer the same fate as Argentina and Germany, thumping Costa Rica 7-0

Belgium making hard work of Canada who missed a penalty seemingly. I've only seen the second half, but up to now Canada have worked Belgium hard. If they only had a ha'peth of quality in their end product, they could have Belgium in a bit of trouble here... but they don't, so they won't

[Durhamfootman]

Kudos to Germany for the hand over mouth team photo at the start of the match, btw

[yuppie]

Im struggling with all this we should respect the host country and respect their views.

Surely the opposite is more true. This is Football and its an international game. It now welcomes woman and people of all backgrounds. If you choose to bid to host this world wide tournament then you need to respect all the football believes in. In bidding for this international tournament you must accept all that football is and what that will bring to your country. If you don agree with any of that.....do not bid to host the world cup.

It works both ways.

[Durhamfootman]

Canada even better in the first half, seemingly. Couldn't score

20 shots in the game, created umpteen half chances that I saw, but had absolutely no quality to put the ball in the back of the net. The best chance, the pen, was saved by Courtois, but the free kicks that they won invariably went straight out of play, so did the corners. they couldn't see the final passes, when they shot it was always a bit hurried, a bit panicked as if they didn't really believe they could actually score. Everything else they did was excellent, they worked hard, they were good in defence, they were never outplayed or outclassed in midfield and they ran their socks off. Spain had fewer shots and won 7-0

Belgium will take the 3 points, but they'll have to be a lot better than that. They looked pretty toothless, in truth. Is de Bruyne going to end up being one of those players that has everything needed to set the world stage alight, but never really does? Whenever I see these big tournament matches, I always seem to hear commo's saying that de Bruyne was a bit off tonight,.... not quite at his best. Ah.... maybe I have a short memory and he's usually brilliant

and as for Belgiums back line, I'm sure people were saying they were hugely experienced but a bit old and slow 4 years ago, yet there they are, still playing in another WC.... well, two of them anyway. Belgium's golden generation is set to go the way of England's golden generation, if you ask me

[Durhamfootman]

Im struggling with all this we should respect the host country and respect their views.

Surely the opposite is more true. This is Football and its an international game. It now welcomes woman and people of all backgrounds. If you choose to bid to host this world wide tournament then you need to respect all the football believes in. In bidding for this international tournament you must accept all that football is and what that will bring to your country. If you don agree with any of that.....do not bid to host the world cup.

It works both ways.

as with everything in this world..... it depends how rich you are. Notions of morality and respect are only there to keep the plebs in line, while the rich and powerful use every influence at their disposal to make themselves richer and more powerful

[bigfluffylemon]

Cat getting among pigeons with some of these results - Germany and Argentina both losing.

I wouldn't write Argentina off, given the 0-0 draw between Poland and Mexico, but that group is now wide open. Second place in the group will end up in the same quarter of the draw as the winner of Group B (hopefully England...), and will likely meet France in round 2, so that would certainly make things interesting. While Germany now have a massive uphill struggle to qualify at all - anything but a win against Spain and they're probably out.

Could make for some very unbalanced (on paper) brackets, but hey, football isn't played on paper, and anyone capable of overcoming the top teams in their group is obviously no pushover. I have never really bought into the notion of a 'good' or 'bad' draw. If you're going to win a tournament, you need to beat the best, and you will run into other strong teams sooner or later.

[Durhamfootman]

I'm loving the fact that some Japan supporters stayed behind to help clean up the stadium before they went home

[Gingerfinch]

Canada were excellent in the first half and should have had a second penalty. I see de-Bruyne got POTM. He must have had a good second half cos his passing and decision making was poor in the first.

[alfie]

Been some quite entertaining stuff so far at this WC... OK a few rather "timid" 0-0 games but already a couple of significant upsets and some initial impressive performances from teams that came in with a bit to prove. How it develops going forward of course remains to be seen (first games are not always a good guide to what will happen at the sharp end of these events !)

Nevertheless I think we can say that Spain - and France - look pretty handy. And for all the usual "don't get too hopeful because it will always end in tears" thoughts , we should be encouraged by England's first outing - both in result and approach. While on the other hand , Argentina may not be quite what they were cracked up to be coming in ; and Germany are in serious danger of being eliminated quickly as I can't see any way Japan aren't going to be on six points and goals ahead after their coming party against Costa Rica so they almost have to beat Spain to stay alive ! Good luck with that...

And yes , Canada really should have got a result for all their efforts - but unfortunately just couldn't finish. Reckon they may still have a chance in the group - which looks wide open.

Favourites Brazil up tonight along with a lot of potential qualifying chances in the remaining groups. Second matches in each group will maybe give us a better idea of who will be staying around for the heavy stuff but I have a feeling we may see a few more surprises before all this is done.

[sussexpob]

Canada were excellent in the first half and should have had a second penalty. I see de-Bruyne got POTM. He must have had a good second half cos his passing and decision making was poor in the first.

The referee had a very poor game, but I think over 90 minutes that balanced itself out.

For me, the handball penalty was ridiculous. What is Carrasco supposed to do when a ball is blasted at him from one metre away? The rule about "natural position" requires a player to actually be in the most unnatural position possible (who jumps in the air with their hands at their sides? No one, its not physically possible)..... but then the trip from Witsel was a blatant penalty after that, and I am 100% certain if he doesnt give the first, he gives that.

The ref was terrible. I thought Onana and Meuneir were both very lucky on yellow cards to avoid a second..... and that scissor tackle on Trossard was the most blatant red card you will ever see. Buchanan got away with about 15 yellow cards.

So I dont think by the balance of decisions, either team really was favoured. Canada filthed up Belgium in the first half, but the ref was very lenient.

[sussexpob]

As for Spain, I am tempted after that match to put all my savings on them winning. One of the most impressive International performances I have ever seen.

Spain were the best team in the Euro's but lacked a striker..... last night they created chances at will, and shoved them in the net. For me, they are now the favourites.