World Cup: Day 16

High praise indeed for Gvardiol from the BBC pundits before Croatia's match with Japan

Lots to like about him as there is with the Croatian team as a unit. He was called the best defender in the world by his coach and Rio Ferdinand has just agreed.

Just checked out his age. He is only 20. Its been great seeing young talent laying down their markers in this tournament

Croatia are a good side. Probably not at the level they were a few years back, but they consistency produce players of a high standard. Population roughly the size of Wales.

But Japan are playing with energy. And some good players. Along with South Korea, if we do actually have scouts, can we get them on a plane to that part of the world?

Apparently the goalscorer plays for Celtic. Only 25 as well.

I say scouts, I guess Bill is on the plane or Avanti West Coast train as we speak.

They deserved that goal Danny.

They've played with much more enterprise. Croatia looking very leggy

Croatia finally waking up.

Shootout / PKs. Serious drama.

Japan living the dream here. Massive if they win this and make it through to the final 8.

Shame someone has to go out this way, first save to Croatia

Awful way to decide any game really.

Poor start.

Oh dear...

Can someone explain WTF that pen attempt was by Croatia.

Little too relaxed?

Croatia through some poor penalties

Incredible!

Awful pens by Japan. Awful.

Well, a 96% Catholic country made it through. Fine by me. ;0)

It maybe a poor way to decide a good game like this but it sure beats the toss of a coin that I believe our neighbors won a cup game with.

Japan will be committing hari-kiri. Thrown it all away.

Bill, definitely.

Congrats to our old friend Vlasic -- that was a well-struck penalty at the biggest moment of his life. Another former Blue stepping up.

We should wait a little while and when Maeda looks like he might announce retirement drop in and offer him a coach's contract. His use of body to shield defenders was immaculate. Disappointed that they did not go through but they added some class to this tournament. Well Done!

Is my memory playing tricks or did Liverpool go through on the toss of a coin having drawn with Cologne ?

I still cannot understand why Kyogo didn't make the Japanese squad, so skilful and a class act at Celtic.

Nice goal by Brazil.

Penalty for blowing some wind on Richarlison's sock.

That's game over, can't believe that the penalty was not reviewed.

Richarlison down from a blast of wind…

How we miss Richarlison. Cheating bastard.

This is the reason why I don't love football the same way anymore Will.

How the ref hasn't been told to go and have a look again is my first gripe, with my second gripe being that, even if it was a foul, it was definitely not a goal-scoring opportunity.

I hate cheating, but everyone else does it, I know.

I was really looking forward to this match.

The ref may just have strangled it at birth.

Darren – not only on the toss of a coin, but a twice-taken one when the first didn't land properly on a cut-up pitch. Only the rs could do that.

For the avoidance of doubt, I detest the cheating that goes on all over the field. Whilst, as a team, we miss Richie, I am not unhappy that he is gone. But now he has scored whilst I am typing.. !!

Shit - I'm weeping here. He still feels like our boy and we even saw the chicken dance. Go Richie. £50m - FFS!

That put a smile on Richarlison's face and most of the crowd, he has no need to dive.

Good business selling Richarlison for 㿨M….

Tony, as if the VAR decisions often aren't pain enough, there's that issue you mention of when and why they do or don't check, and why there is no explanation of that. Mad.

And then Richarlison does that as I type!

He must be worth at least 㿼 million now.

Just showed one of the Korean supporters after that goal... he must be mad – he is blue in the face!

This is like watching Brazil.

That Richarlison goal was just sick.

Bill, that guy had the most miserable face I've seen for ages.

I was at the 30th Anniversary Lunch of the match at The British Consulate in Köln with Köln players and Roger Hunt as guest.

I booed when they showed his goal - I told everyone I was a Blue and they applauded, including Roger Hunt.

I've just said I don't love football the same anymore but watching the speed and precision of the Brazilians when they break forward really is a joy, and even better than the mesmerising tika-taka style of the Spanish.

Did anyone do the pigeon dance? I thought about it.

Dale, I sat still but I cooed.

Not seen any of the game but my brother mentioned that Souness said Richarlison only ever dived while he was playing for Everton.

Did Souness actually say that?

This Brazilian side are bang average... 🙄🙄

Good enough, Will, I think I threw some crumbs at the TV.

:-)

Nice.

Neymar, as in about every game I've ever watched him, living up to around 50% of his reputation.

Will, you've clearly not watched enough of him. He's a marvellous footballer.

Remember, he's only about 75% fit at the moment.

Neymar is the most overrated player I've ever seen.

Fran, I know he was marginal to make the match but he played.

He does some incredible things but just not often enough and so many times he goes missing in games, has low involvement.

I've just been reading that, Brian @42. Souness, allegedly said that Richarlison was a diver when he was at Everton but Conte has sorted him out and he's now a player who is prepared to do the hard miles rather than flinging himself onto the floor.

This is why it's hard to take anyone on the television seriously anymore. These people hold a lot of power and can be very dangerous because so many people hold their biased words as gospel.

Did Sourface really say that? Not that it would surprise.

We've seen some wonderful football and goals in this tournament.

Alli back to Goodison on Boxing Day for more of the same.

It could happen...

Sewerness is a gobshite.

Sulked, went down too easy.

Grealish however is targeted and fouled a lot. The lad gave a shit about playing for Everton and got frustrated.

I think it was called the rooster. He gave a lot to Everton and the local community. I know I've put this up before, but worth a now nostalgic watch for those who haven't seen the dance off.

Link

Hopefully some more inspiration for the Everton coaching staff at all team levels after watching England, France, Brazil, Croatia and Argentina matches. All have some good strengths and are good to watch.

Anyone could beat anyone, but England can take real hope if they beat France, and they can.

For me, Rabiot is their unsung hero; stop him and slow down or stop the feeds to Griezman and Mabappe and Dembele.

Some tough calls for Southgate but he will know his best team. Selfishly, if Coady's not playing, he can't get injured but I'd like him to get some game time if possible, for his own well being.

Betfred showing 9-4 for England to beat France, worth a bet.

Souness and Keane – punditry from the dark ages. Turn them off.

Peter (27),

You forgot to mention that Cologne played with 10 men from about the 70th minute with one man a virtual passenger. No substitutes then and the game went into extra time, but Liverpool fans couldn't care less, yet they screamed blue murder when Inter Milan knocked them out in the semi-final after going to Milan with a 3-1 lead, said they had been cheated in Italy.

As the song went then, sang by Evertonians,

Oh the sheer delight of a Wednesday night
When Inter Milan scored three
And big Ron Yeats was nearly sent off
For pushing the referee.

There was about five verses but can't think of anymore at the moment. I've just come in from Ned Kelly's, where I heard a rumour that sounds like absolute nonsense and more than likely is: Frank is on his way and Mourinho is coming in. I'm not having that at all even though I loved Mourinho when he was alive!!

This is what 㿨 million gets you

Richy

1:20

😖

For the US fans who have suffered through the idiotic Fox coverage of the tournament (God, I miss Kate Abdo and friends), this is a delightful vicious takedown of the Fox train wreck from The Guardian:

Fox Sports' US World Cup coverage is an unmissable abomination

Also, can whoever is moaning about the money we got for Richarlison (or didn't get) please stop? I'm absolutely delighted for the guy and he's playing great, but let's not forget he's surrounded by Brazilians.

He has scored zero Premier League goals for Spurs.

To clarify, I've only watched the England - Senegal match from start to finish. Watching alleged highlights has been instructive on some of the ordinary football having been played but, yes, there have been some excellent goals and saves. Too often though, good teams seem content to just fanny about and especially when they've gone one-up.

Contrast that with the England cricket team who are redefining their sport in terms of entertainment and enterprise from start to finish. They are exhilarating.

At the risk of coming across racist, I was more than impressed with the Japanese team's refusal, ever, to feign injury. Every credit to them, it's a very welcome characteristic in the world of allegedly top-notch, definitely cheating, football.

That said, the Japanese people have a history of fighting to the literal death and being extremely harsh to opponents they perceive as being lesser mortals. In football, that's brilliant.

I thought the Brazil team, on and off the pitch, were very self-indulgent in their goal celebrations, the goals being accomplished though, showing little respect to their opponents or football.

Their second half was a going-through-the-motions mundanity (they lost it 1-0). I wonder how many children in the world watched it and learnt that you don't have to try to entertain for the full extent of a game?

Mike,

Kate Abdo has been on Peacock though since, as has Lalas.

How is that loser a pundit? Barely professional, played 30 games for a shit Italian team 30 years ago and talks like he's Messi.

Harkes and Meola are far better players and commentators, hell Wynalda is and Coby Jones. Not to mention Tim Howard or McBride. And yeah Donovan is the US Michael Owen in more ways than one, while Clint Dempsey was a fantastic player but is a useless commentator.

Don, that made me laugh.

I have no idea why, but it reminded me of the Peter Kay biscuit sketch.

A lot of teams are the Digestive. One dip and they collapse.

Japan must be the Hob Nob: "Again!"

Sorry for the randomness. No racism there, they are very proud people who pride themselves on personal strength, determination and warrior-like mentality. Look at where their country and economy is now. Like all, they've had ups and downs, but considering they got hit by 2 nuclear bombs, they haven't done too badly.

Very amusing to see people – who claim they are not watching this World Cup – continue to give chapter and verse of their own miserable take on everything.

Only watched the England - Senegal match, but able to tell us that no Japanese player has feigned injury – "ever"!

Able to give a full account of the Brazilian antics after scoring – Roy Keane's account word for word. Then able to whinge about them taking their foot off the gas when they were making wholesale changes in order to protect players for the next round.

Forced to finally admit there have been excellent goals and excellent saves throughout this tournament. Our man in the press box is able to tell us about the ordinary football played by teams preoccupied by fannying about, in just about every match he hasn't watched.

It's not like the old tournaments when all the players were world class, Every team played using South Korea's kamikaze tactics, while corruption and gamesmanship didn't exist... Oh, and there was no such thing as a bad game.

What was that old catch-phrase used in the advert for the Financial Times? Oh yeah… "No FT. No comment."

While football lovers around the world will continue to delight in some wonderful goals this tournament has thrown up, others will continue to froth over their keyboards.

"The goals are excellent but, although I haven't been watching, I insist they have all been a product of mundane football."

Sometimes you just have to put down the shovel.

I've tried to ignore the politics, Darren, without being ignorant to the backdrop, if that makes sense?

I've been to enough places to understand oppression and abuse.

I don't recall the outrage when Russia was awarded the 2018 World Cup. There must have been a blind sense that Russia was sort of okay. Well, we're seeing their true colours now. I take no satisfaction that they will have to march back to Moscow with their tail between their legs having caused the death of hundreds of thousands. Deep – apologies.

This World Cup is happening. The 1966 one did under what was then still a colonialist Empire, ableit on its way down in an Everton kind of way.

I'm just trying to enjoy the football. And I am doing.

Football team celebrates a good goal? Shocker. And Brazilians – they're not from County Road. They celebrate in a Latin American way.

Nice tribute to Pelé, I thought.

I read the other day that a few of the stadiums being used for the World Cup are being dismantled after the tournament, I suppose it just highlights that it will have served its purpose for the Qatar government it was all about using its wealth to stage a prestigious tournament rather than growing the game as Fifa try to claim.

I guess these stadiums will be dismantled by more immigrant workers and probably more lives lost but I doubt you will hear a word about that once the World Cup has finished.

I think over the last few years the countries from the Middle East are realising that their wealth due to large oil reserves is going to diminish greatly as the world moves to other more eco-friendly fuels. So they now are investing their huge sums of wealth into the sporting arena, in buying football clubs to promote their countries as tourist destinations, very much like Dubai has done.

I'd actually been having that thought, Brian.

What are they going to do with those stadiums once this tournament is finished? They would literally turn into dust bowls.

Unless the newly reinvigorated European Super League decides to relocate there, enticed by the promise of millions from the Sheiks of Qatar.

Fine by me. We will dominate our waterfront and win titles as tumbleweeds blow and cobwebs grow at our original ground and they play second fiddle to the clubs they jumped into bed with.

Sorry. It's only Tuesday.

Kieran #63,

My son worked as a techie on the last World Cup in Russia. Actually he's not a football fan so is fairly impartial in his views on the pundits employed by the various stations. He mentioned that the 2 most pleasant people he came across were Alexi Lalas and Gus Hiddink. Maybe that (plus a good agent?) helps.

I can't believe the US pundits are any worse than those employed by the BBC and ITV.

Brian,

I wonder if we could have got a deal on a kit set stadium after the World Cup? Just a thought.

The ridiculous hours to watch anything live here has curtailed my viewing or I usually fall asleep half-way through. I saw bits of the Japan game, that equalising header was a gem. The Japanese team buzzed and flew but their penalties were awful.

I missed the Brazil match but caught the goals later, sort of a sad smile watching Richarlison, he deserves the applause, he looks right at home in a team that he loves to play for.

Hard to watch in a way though. Ever since that iconic flare, he will remain an Everton icon, not for his ability, which we could never fully utilise, but for that one brief moment he picked up a blue flare... etched into my head forever. I think he remains a blue to me, no matter who he plays for.

England? I saw the goals, missed the match, even though I could have watched it. Holds little appeal. I think France will turn them over. If someone can shackle Messi, then Argentina will probably go home.

The missus sat down next to me for 10 minutes of the Brazil -South Korea game last night and she surprised me by recognising Souness. Then the prat gave his take on Richarlison and I hit the roof.

How much football did that dull fucker actually watch last season? Did he not see Richie save our bacon?

Suddenly, forget Silva, Ancelotti, Lampard et al and thank Conte for sorting him out.

Such an ignorant and bitter man. Only the other night, he couldn't talk about Bellingham without mentioning how he thought the kid was now out of Liverpool's reach. The viewing public don't really care who he eventually joins, they are watching England in the top tournament in a player's life.

The pundits have been very poor and as for Ally McCoist – a joke of a summariser. Then Aluko scripted to talk about the high press... the production team giving these pundits topics with clips at the ready. Terrible.

Worst was the patronising of Wales when most Welsh fans I know just thought that Page was out of his depth. They just wanted the team to have a good go.

I am not a big fan of Southgate but confess that he seems to have learnt from his previous tournaments. I think it's wide open.

Dazza,

I've watched some hi-lite programmes (some very skimpy on entertaining football IMO), seen a lot of goals on my laptop, have confined my comments to what little I've seen of Japan in this tournament alone, and to the best of my knowledge haven't felt "forced" to do anything, ever, through TW.

Lastly, the South Korea goal was a great example of a great strike amid a very mundane team performance. These things happen, as most fans accept.

And by the way, let me renew my invitation to you to actually cite even one of the many lousy games you remember in which any of the plethora of great players you cited took part. Genuinely curious.

Glad you're enjoying it though. All the best!

Another incredible night of football.

A major, Major shock as the artists from Spain are sent home and we were treated to some dazzling football from the Portuguese.

When I think of the 0-0 draw which stunk wembley out between an England team with the likes of Moore, Ball, Wilson in it ranks and their illustrious opponents from Uruguay. My mind drifts to the 0- 0 draws against Uruguay and Isreal we endured before seeing a star studded Italian team finally stumble out of the group in Mexico with an enthralling 1-0 win over Sweden.

The next world cup we witnessed a brain numbing encounter between eventual world champions, West Germany and their opponents form East Germany. Maybe that prepared us for the world champions from Brazill participating in goaless bore draws against Yugoslavia and the Jocks. not to mention the stalemate between the dazzling Dutch and Sweden.

In the next world cup we had to suffer a mind numbing 0-0 between World champs (WG) and Poland, just before they qualified from the group with a breath taking 0-0 against Tunisia .

We seen some wonderful world cups, but the suggestion that the world class players who participated in them somehow managed to avoid playing in poor matches is beyond absurd.

I was going to list right up to todays game, but I have realised that to list all the bore draws and crap games involving world class players would result in me penning TW`s longest ever post; Thats just off the top.

It`s not just boring football that been around or ever. Corruption has too, Will we ever forget the shameful antics of W Germany and Austria ?....or the farcical 6-0 game between Argentina and Peru ?

Tournament football does what it says on the tin. there will always be poor, average, good and great matches. When the football nations come together for a festival of football. They will ALWAYS produce memorable moments.

If you dont get that. You`re probably better off watching cricket.....Apparently it exhilarating

Come on, Darren, don't keep us in suspense!!