FIFA World Cup 2022

[Gingerfinch]

Gotta go for that

No idea what Hennessey was doing, the man was back to cover the ball. Challenge was ridiculous too, could have seriously injured the Iranian lad.

Well deserved by Iran. Wales were terrible. Bale can no longer move, and all they had to offer was aimless punts up field, and ropey defending

Reminded me of Schumaker in 82 vs France.

Like you say, the Welsh defender was covering anyway. A bad decision and dangerous foul from Hennessey.

[sussexpob]

Like you say, the Welsh defender was covering anyway. A bad decision and dangerous foul from Hennessey.

I was stunned that the referee only gave him a yellow. You couldn't get a clearer red card

[sussexpob]

Senegal looked average until some very poor defending gifted them a goal. Goal early in the second half, and this game is sealed.

Feel a bit sorry for Qatar. They are clearly nowhere good enough to be at this tournament, and you get the feeling from the players expressions, that they are under alot of pressure.

Would like to see them score at least one goal at some stage.

[Durhamfootman]

I've come to the conclusion that I quite like this winter World Cup malarky. I've watched far more football than in any other tournament that I can remember and I think it's because there's nothing else on offer at this time of year. In the summer, I have loads of things to do that are more important than watching Senegal - Qatar, but in the cold and the wet and the dark, there isn't.... especially when you work as little as I do.

So I think it's the way forward. The players aren't knackered and totally shagged out, like they were in the nations league, after a gruelling season that ends 5 mins before a normal WC starts, the players that don't go to the WC get a little bit of respite and some time to get their breath back and recover from niggling injuries, and it gives us some entertainment and a little bit of excitement in the dark, unpleasant weeks before Christmas.

The way FIFA got to this scenario might have been because of rank corruption and self interest, but they might just have hit on an idea that would otherwise never have been tried in a million years

[Durhamfootman]

Like you say, the Welsh defender was covering anyway. A bad decision and dangerous foul from Hennessey.

I was stunned that the referee only gave him a yellow. You couldn't get a clearer red card

the only thing I could think of was that there was perhaps a hint of offside at the start of the move, and maybe the ref was slightly influenced by that. That assumes of course that the red was for denying the player a goal scoring opportunity, when in the end it will have been for the dangerous nature of the challenge

[sussexpob]

How have Qatar not scored in this game? Mendy keeping Senegal in the game second half, couple of brilliant saves. Judging on the relative performances from each team, I am backing Ecuador to knock out Senegal next week.

[sussexpob]

Deserved goal that for Qatar, played really well this half.

Got another 10 plus injury time to save their world cup. Senegal need to wake up, because they continue to let Qatar dominate, they are going to throw away this lead.

[sussexpob]

Senegal do indeed wake up... 3-1

[sussexpob]

If Holland can hold this off for the next 80 minutes, my 9 way mega bet on the first week of the tournament is a winner.....

Do not score, Ecuador....!!

[mikesiva]

Valencia spoils the party.

Ecuador 1-1 Netherlands

Qatar go home.

[sussexpob]

Holland will get knocked out by the first class team they play. Look rubbish

[Gingerfinch]

Nervy half an hour so far. Need to get the ball forward quicker and teach Tripper how to control and pass a Football.

[Durhamfootman]

back to watching football through the gaps between my fingers. This is ponderous stuff from England. If USA score first it'll be no more than England deserve

dreadful

[Durhamfootman]

off the bar

Pulisic

England need to wake up *modded* sharpish

[Durhamfootman]

England are either pootling the ball about at the back with no movt in front of them, or they're lumping long balls forward and hoping something happens

just won't do