Illuminati-R-Us

Stupid foul, cheeky penalty, 2-0

Are Brazil that good, or are South Korea that bad.

Artful 3 - 0 by that Richarlison guy. Oh my, sensational.

4 - 0. A breathtaking fastbreak, a chip back from the end-line, and a goal from like 14 m, past 4 defenders. Great stuff.

Long on-call night ahead, so signing off for a bit of sleep....

No sleep so far...

Nice 4 - 1, the consolation goal for the Koreans, very nice, hard volley from the edge of the penalty area.

O jogo bonito seems to be making a comeback. Looking forward to it.

Aaaaaahahahaha!

Marocco 3 - 0 Spain after penalties

Finally, an upset that hits someone not us. And well-deserved as well.

Holy Feck, Croatia is not going down without a fight!

Croatia defeat Brazil!

Aaaaaahahaha! Love it!

A riveting match, but slightly less of a surprise:

Argentina 4 - 3 Netherlands after penalties, 2 all after regular and extra time.

Congratulations to both. But couldn't you have done with less foul play and yellow cards?

Re. our discussion about supporting Argentina, there is something that, for me, was always a point in their disfavour: Their lack of grace, both in defeat and victory. The brawl after the penalty shootout in '06, the spitting contempt with which Messi was treating Weghorst in his post-victory statement in the mixed zone yesterday, their collective taking their silver medals off after the '14 final, the jeering fans with their dimissive chants, the rabid press which supposes dark forces at play after every defeat - I don't usually support England in sports, but I do like the idea of sportsmanship as an attitude.

Nice!
Marocco 1 - 0 DDD at the half. And not a bad game either.

Wow. Just wow.

Morocco 1 - 0 Portugal

The first ever African team in the Football World Cup semifinal (against either France or England), history was made.

Indeed wow! I didn't see the game, but Ronaldo's face must have been a sight to see!

Yes, I entirely agree with Arneb about Argentina. They believe that they have a right to win every game. They don't have a problem with fouling (but then, nor do the Netherlands, which is why I wasn't supporting either side last night) and must be one of the few teams to open boast about it. Yes, I get it that Diego Maradona's "hand of God" against England brought national pride to a country that had just been kicked good and hard in the nuts - by Britain - but still, to grin and say effectively, "yeah, I did it - and?" shows a certain attitude. Another reason to back Croatia in the semi-final.

Well, we'll see what happens tonight. If England beat France, I shall of course support them in the semi-final. But if we lose, then I'll definitely be rooting for Morocco to go further. Not least because the two countries that have pissed all over the Moroccans are France and Spain. Morocco have now settled the score with one, seeing them do the same to the other one would be good!

So, being in Italy there is no interest in the World Cup. Gli Azzurri aren’t there so it is an invalid trophy. Il Patron of the pizza house we were just in asked if we were English, no Scozzesi. Ah! And he made the two fists bumping gesture. Si, forza Franchese! Says I and we parted on amicable terms.

And indeed, France won, 2-1. I wasn't particularly rooting for either team, but it pained me to see that the English Disease (which used to be rickets, but hey, it's the 21st century) is back, with its classic dyad of symptoms: you always get one for free from the goalie, and they suck at penalties.

Go Croatia!

https://www.sportbible.com/football/mis ... 9.amp.html

I have a problem whom to support or to unsupport.

Marocco - probably not a real threat to the big guns (I mean, except Belgium, Spain and Portugal ), but hey, they can have my support if they can use it.
Croatia - Probably neither, plus, they'll be unbearable if they actually win this.
Argentina - very ungracious, arrogant, contemtuous behaviour across the board after the quarterfinal match against the Netherlands - a team that gave them a really good run for their money despite being inferior to them from a football point of view. The ungraciousness includes their aging sage giving it his all one last time, so I can't really root for them.
France - Again?? They'd be only the second team after Brasil 60 (!!) years ago to defend a World Cup title. Just imagine how unbearable they would become, plus, it would put them ahead of Germany in at least one metric. Plus plus, they have Griezmann, who is unbearable even before appearing on the pitch.

Anybody with good arguments on whom to support?

Мастер wrote:Go Croatia!

Yes!
And that linked story is also a very persuasive argument.

g-one wrote:

Мастер wrote:Go Croatia!

Yes!
And that linked story is also a very persuasive argument.

Well, that is a good argument. However, I came into the World Cup supporting (in order of preference) Brazil, Argentina, Germany and ABE... and there’s only one of those left in, whatever the objections here.

There's another good evening for Lianachan then :

Argentina 3 - 0 Croatia.

I didn't get to see lots of it because I was busy on the ICU. Seems to have been, well, surprisingly easy for Argentina, given Croatia's performances so far. I watched the third goal and I am sure El Mano de Diós blew a kiss of recognition to La Pulga from above (or below, as the case may be). Sublime.

So,

France 2 - 0 Morocco.

It's funny, I had the certain feeling Morocco wouldn't get it in after that early 1 - 0. Classic playbook, clever, hard-boiled team toughing it out against an eager, able, aggressive opposition that is just a hair less cool when the opportunity arises.

I see them as favourites against Argentina. Much as I don't like them, I think I will root for Argentina in the end, just because the French will be even more unbearable if they defend the title. Let Messi have his Touch the Face of God moment, after all those years.

I am totally with Morocco in the match for third. It's only a friendly, but trust me, it still feels great to win it.

I’m off to Paris this afternoon on the penultimate leg of the trip. The only flight among eleventy train journeys. We leave Paris on Sunday morning so will miss the final.

Morocco 1 - 2 Croatia

Can't say anything about the game, as it was broadcast exclusively by a subscription streaming service over here. Assholes, fuck FIFA.

I was with Morocco, but reading from the live commentary, they gave the Croats a run for their money, so they can travel home proudly.

Anyone wathced it?

I was freezing to death at Ross County. I'd rather have been by the fire with a dram, perhaps even watching Croatia beat Morocco.