As much as I'd rather not see it, I think Argentina will prevail and advance. My best to the Super Eagles who looked pretty good in game 2. Nigeria's manager is the German, Rohr.... maybe he will have a winning plan.

The NHL, ice hockey,  has a rule that if you draw blood, your time in the penalty box goes from 2 to 5 minutes for an infraction.  One of the Japanese player did get a bloody nose in this tournament... that looked a bit like a forearm to the face.... I'm not even sure if that was called as anything beyond a foul. I think Ronaldo's act yesterday was pretty minor.

BTW, for those not watching this match, Tim Cahill at 38 years old, came on for Australia. They are playing a little better now, 19 minutes in normal time.

In 2006, France had what? 2 draws and had to finally start defeating Togo in about the 65th minute of that 3rd game and then, they ended up going to the final, not always in a style I'd agree with btw.... I think France will do just fine.

Iran, scored 2 goals, gave up 2 goals. Got 4 points, it wasn't good enough to advance but I'd have to say, they actually did very good.

Peru scores against the Socceroos.  1-0 Very early.

Or is it Peroo and the Soccerus.... anyway, the odds are long for Aus to advance but they have to try their best, hope for the best.

Nights Are Forever Without You - England Dan and John Ford Coley

Won't miss this:

Or this:

Maybe games will still be sloppy, still seemed like a step up from some of the travesties the sport has seen.

One commentator was saying that Iran indeed missed a gifted goal attempt there at the end, where the Iranian, Taremi,  missed it. I'd say, granted, he should have made it but I don't think it was that easy. Maybe it was. I go to that Iranian forum just to see reactions (not a member, some profanity) some blame him, some seem to take it in stride   http://www.persianfootball.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?46-Persian-Football-Discussion-Community 

Just now, arbitro said:

But the VAR considered all the incidents to be clear and obvious errors. That is four people studying incidents from lots of angles and then supported by the on field referee. It's farcical and I think will become even more ridiculous when we get to the knock out stage.

Arbitro:

Can the VAR room rule one way and the referee reject it? It almost seems that happened in the Egyptian/Saudi match. Thanks.

Mercy, Iran almost did it....

Handball? VAR? This is interesting....

Morocco, 2-1

Just now, Blow-in said:

Nani, really? In the same breath as Ronaldo and Figo.

Nani is to Ronaldo what Carlton was to the Fresh prince... see what I did there  

I said Portugal has had fine players, Pepe is another.  My point, is Portugal really are more than Ronaldo.

Quieroz, the Iranian manager is Portuguese... so Ronnie's a superstar, that is so, but Nani in the last Euro and in the 2000s, Deco, Figo and those others, they have had a lot of fine players.

VAR in the Saudi Arabian/Egypt match. Is the ultimate decision to the referee? The Ref gave a penalty kick.

It went like this, about 3 minute review in the VAR room, then, the Colombian referee on the pitch went to watch the cameras himself near the sidelines after receiving guidance, this took about 1 -1 and a half minutes... It almost was like he was saying, "I saw it right the first time", I don't know if they can reject what the VAR room says.

TEAM MELLI BABY!!

This appears to be from the 1970s before the current era of Iran:

I know I'm looking ahead everyone but it looks most likely that England will play Japan.

Japan came back 2 times to draw up with Senegal.... Japan defeated Colombia.... so, take Japan lightly at your own expense, we know what happened in the last Euro.

Just funning around, I hope none of this is offensive to anyone.

Russia may have shown their true colours today, only defeating the two Arab teams, both of whom, I'd like to see do better but if history is an indicator, they likewise were true to form.  The next match, especially if it is against Spain, should well be their last but they made it into the final 16. That's got to be seen as a positive.

Honestly, VAR in the Egypt/Saudi game took about 5 minutes,

Uruguay Russia in 68th minute, Eygpt Saudi in 62nd minute.

I knew the goalkeeper might block that penalty kick, he did....

Egypt's goalkeeper is 45 years old, oldest player ever in the World Cup....he's pretty spry.  I don't think he played in the prior two Egyptian matches, maybe he should have. El Hadari.

https://us.soccerway.com/players/esam-el-hadary/21388/

VAR looking at play, ref wants to give KSA another penalty, soft penalty, if it goes through.

These early games don't decide much,

Who will face Spain and who will face Portugal, some would say who will face Ronaldo...but it's still a team sport.

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Even if the usual Debbie Downers would put down Saudi and Egypt, this is a bit of a derby, they are still playing for regional pride.

Just now, islander200 said:

Couldn't the same be said about England?They have done well and Southgate seems to have created a good team spirit and the tactics been spot on but they have played nobody yet

The last year has been harsh on Panama but they did well enough in the qualifiers; using the kind of reasoning that Panama and Tunisia are not good teams, that England got in a poor group, Belgium only defeated Panama 3-0,  it took them some time to break Panama down. England's appearance clearly was stronger.

Senegal Japan 4 points,  draw and win.

Colombia 3 points.....lost versus Japan, play Senegal next.....

I do think, the majority probably think Colombia will take Senegal, it might take them until after halftime or so to do it.  So, the challenge is up to Senegal, draw or better, Senegal advances.   Senegal defeated that pedestrian side only with that fluke goal. Otherwise, a draw was in the making. I wouldn't judge a team on one match. Colombia lost to Japan of all teams. So, Senegal has their chance. Can they exploit it?

Tunisia, lost 1-0 to Spain prior to tournament in a friendly, always in the mix in the African Cup of Nations.... they aren't doing too bad.

Just now, Ewood Ace said:

That was a decent Algeria side don't forget 4 years later they took Germany (who would go on to win the tournament) to extra time. The World Rankings certainly don't mean much to me as I am currently watching Poland who according to them are the 8th best team in the world.

One can say Poland losing to Senegal was mainly due to a flukey goal. Poland doesn't look good here, but for argument's sake, one could say that other match was a draw.