I find this a very odd statement. So if we win the World Cup, the absolute dream we haven't come close to since 1966, he should be fired? I'm not suggesting we will win the World Cup, before anyone starts, but it would be obscene to fire him if we did. You can argue with how results are obtained, but you can't argue with results. Like Napoleon said (paraphrased), give me lucky generals over skilled ones. Even if he played Pickford up front, if we win we win.

Cheers Chaddy. Seems alright from that, although most highlight reels achieve that. Seems odd I've never heard of him as he'll be 19 now.

Who?

Yes, that's...what we constantly tell you when your defence for a decision is 'well JDT thinks...'.

The players seem to agree it's a hideous political regime, so best of luck to them. Perhaps if they get through the group, having refused to sing the national anthem in protest, it may further encourage change in Iran.

I get the sense you're alluding to my mention of 'bumming' as being inappropriate somehow. I don't think any of the many gay friends and acquaintances I've made over the years, many of whom use the term flippantly, would be bothered, let alone in the obvious context of having a little jovial dig at the Qatari's homophobia. It's not like I called someone a 'tank-topped bumboy' like our former PM. I expect most of them would have laughed at the turn of phrase I used. No doubt FIFA are the main villains in this pantomime for awarding this WC in the first place, but that's not the point. Qatar promised fans could drink in the stadium and that LGBTQ people could attend and feel safe. They can hardly feel safe when the absolute mildest of gestures, displaying their adopted symbol (which is just a fucking rainbow, I mean shit, they happen naturally anyway! It's not like gay people own rainbows or its exclusive use as a symbol) gets this kind of response. I do believe in respecting other cultures and traditions, but not all of them at all times in all circumstances regardless. There's a world of difference between say, taking your shoes off entering a mosque, or not getting pissed up, and stating that a 7-year penalty for having sex with another consenting adult is wrong. The Germans wanted to wear a rainbow armband. It's hardly a big deal. As I said, it's not like it was going to cause a surge in homosexuality in a devout Muslim country. And it's not like they wanted to have sex with each other in the centre circle (although the Japanese did end up giving them a good fucking). The stadiums should almost be treated like an embassy for the tournament duration. There is plenty of precedent in the Arab world, presumably in Qatar too - my best friend practically grew up on a compound in Saudi, where drinking etc is given a lot more leeway. 'we would be up in arms if Saudi or Qatari players tried to highlight the supposed moral degeneracy in a typical western democracy' - well maybe not the players, but the governments and citizens don't exactly keep it quiet. I don't feel a lot of cultural respect coming the other way. And they don't have to keep it quiet - well neither do I, so I'm expressing my views here. You could flip your statement around - if Qatar feels so strongly about homosexuality and various values held by most modern nations, don't invite the world to your doorstep for a World Cup. But they did, and they promised certain things that they're now ripping away last minute. And FIFA are being soft shits about it. FIFA's stance on the armbands is almost as criminal as their corrupt gifting of the tournament in the first place. The German football association are looking at legal action against them, as they've (DFB) already lost a major sponsor as a result of today. One more thing...it isn't 'forcing your values' on anyone to express support through an armband, it's a pretty passive gesture. Not one nation in the WC as far as I'm aware has tried to insist that Qatar legalises homosexuality.

Refreshing honesty

We should have been looking at another shock result there.

They absolutely deserve something. All about that end product though and they really seem to lack it. I'm astonished by how good they are in general play, another former whipping boys side who have turned into a decent outfit (unless this is a fluke). Jeez he should have scored that header but got it miles off.

Glad it amused, after posting it I regretted not opting for 'a spate of bummings' or 'a bumming spree' but couldn't be bothered to edit.

They probably want to go home tonight after that. Ruthless from Spain. 8 shots on target, 7 goals.

I can respect cultural differences. But not when that difference is an intolerance, criminalisation and hatred of those with differences. It would be hypocritical for me to respect the differences of those who don't respect differences. You're disrespecting somebody either way, and I'd rather disrespect the ones doing the hating.

Japan just need to win against Costa Rica, won't make any difference how well they win will it? That will give Japan 6 and Germany wouldn't be capable of more than 4 then. It would be Spain they'd need to fail then, by losing to Japan. Then Germany would duke it out with Spain on 4 each, and I assume it goes off GD? So they'd need to beat CR by more than Spain do (assuming Spain lost by no more than 1 to Japan).

Only just seen that the Germans put their hands over their mouths before the game in protest at being forbidden from wearing rainbow armbands. FIFA had threatened them with sanctions if they wore it! Personally I think that's fucking outrageous. Isn't football as a whole supposed to be making strides in support in this area? And now the world's governing body threaten sanctions for a simple gesture of support. The way FIFA have not only crookedly given Qatar a WC but subsequently kowtowed to every archaic wish of the Qataris is an absolute blight on the sport. I get that this is a sovereign country with its own laws and customs, but they're incredibly lucky to be hosting a World Cup in the first place. It should very much have been about adapting their laws and customs temporarily, in limited spaces, for the global guests they're welcoming. It should never have been about the World Cup making a long list of concessions for it to be held in a country no fucker wanted it held in anyway. On top of which, it's just a bloody symbol, and it's hardly a swastika. It's not like the Germans or other nations wearing rainbow armbands was going to set off an avalanche of bumming in Qatar. If Qatar weren't willing to make legally-binding commitments for the competition to be held in the manner it is accustomed to, with guests enjoying freedoms they're accustomed to, then they should have been told in absolutely no uncertain terms that the World Cup would be held elsewhere. Of course, that was never going to happen because too much money was on the table for corrupt scrotes at FIFA HQ.

Then would you agree that if managers and head coaches make mistakes, then fans are allowed to question their decisions?

This result is an upset, but it's much less of a shock than the Saudi win. That was 3rd in the rankings losing to 51st, this was 11th losing to 24th. I've thought Japan are a decent technical side for years now, underrated, but it's still a bit of a surprise, and a pleasing one of course as it's Germany. With Spain in the group too, there's a chance of Germany not getting past the group stage now.

No underdog wins in the game you quoted, but Saudi Arabia's win must be a bigger upset.

I was more than surprised, I was outright calling it stupid.

View to a permanent. That's the best move all round I think. Simply isn't going to make it here. Time for him to get his career going.

Thankfully not major in this case though as we still won by a very convincing scoreline. Rather get the shite decisions out of the way now!

I was thinking myself that it's a very brave move from them. I hope no harm comes to them or their loved ones. If the national side are willing to protest like that, I suspect things are coming to a potential turning point over there. A full discussion of that belongs elsewhere of course, but best of luck to the Iranian people right now in achieving positive change.

VAR decision was bollocks. He was never getting on the end of it and it was just typical penalty box argy bargy. You'd be giving ten a game if you give those. But apparently not the wrestling one against us.

The most infectious laugh I think I've ever heard. Brightens me right up.

Can't see where any of you are coming from. Love the guy

They must have had a lot of bamboo on their feet by now then. Qatar have been embarrassingly bad since I was a kid. They were mine and my mate's fave team to pick as whipping boys on FIFA 94 when we wanted to get a cricket score using Brazil.