World Cup 2018 Thread 5

Soccer, right?

Who is this Hurry-Cane guy?

R2

Harry Kane, attacker, England's number 9, so far he scored 6 times.

The commentator said the teams received treatment from masseuses during the break.

How can I apply to be the French team's masseur?

Croatia are some tough guys. Games tied. Go England!

the lads choked,

The big lunk of wood scores!!!!!!!!!!

Oh no.

Croatia!!!!!!!!!!!! Itches all over England!!!!!!!!!

Yikes

you knew it was coming but still just wow

Bollocks.

Oh John Stones...you're fucked.

i can’t handle more Croatia ugliness so come on lads

GO CROATIA!!!!!

It's coming h....No, it's not!

R13 had a brainfart and got burned

Rooting for Croatia and very excited!

Jesus. Trust England to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

How frustrated is all of england right about now?

How wonderful! Especially because the French will have an easier time with Croatia.

Pickford doesn't look so hot now does he? Even better it was Mandzukic who scored.

Poor England.

R21, yeah right! Croatia will win.

The more aesthetically pleasing / good-looking team should win.

This particular Croatian roster is not hot... Disappointed.

Yes, another 2 more years of making fun of England!

R25 croatia’s best players look like old witches

Damn trippier’s big meaty thighs

That English medic was HOT.

Croatia is the official Comeback Kids. Three games in a row now.

Can the overrated af Harry Kane do something please!

I need to stop talking shit..plenty of time.

R27, they’re not on a runway here. Croatia has performed so much better.

Corluka isn't bad looking.

R33 so what they still fugly as shit

Losing today and then the Trump visit tomorrow; talk about a double whammy.

These last two Croatian substitutions haven't been that ugly. The field gets prettier and prettier.

R36

Look to the sky and smile!

The Croatian coach is alright.

Agreed. If it's broadcast on TV - the athletes need to be hot.

Otherwise broadcast the matches via radio!

England could only score on freekicks, very disappointing will they ever get an easier draw to the final again??

If England loses, they will so pissed off there will be double the turn out to demonstrate against Trump tomorrow.

Harry Kane isn't world class, no matter how many penalties he scores.

9 for Croatia is cute but the ugly ones stand out more

They think it's all over

Kane the overrated big oaf with the face of a foot.

Why isn't Croatia keeping the ball, fucking idiots!

Yes!

Thanks croatia for ruining an epic france england final no one gives a shit about you!

It is NEVER going home, right?

No more freaking Three Lions shit! I can stop hearing about that goddamn song.

Yippee! France wins!

r49 Exactly. That finale would have been a historic battle. Now we'll just be watching the French eat their breakfast.

England getting to the semi final is their best showing for at least 25 years.

R50, I wouldn’t say that. They’re going to be playing football for hundreds of years.

Kane on the phone: "Mum, well, it's not coming home - but I am! Put the kettle on."

Congratulations, Croatia! You're in "The Final"! Dare to believe because "yes, you can"!!!

England: really, guys? You've invented this blasted game!!! But I understand, there were forces beyond human comprehension working today (a.k.a. Mick Jagger ~ the jinx is strong with this one)!

P.S.: It seems the guy who promised to go to the Mass EVERY Sunday already has an appointment before the Final! (lol)

I'm sure the England side would love to go home now, but sadly they have to play Belgium again Saturday for third place.

I'm disappointed in the result, but the lads will be received as heroes anyway.

Allez les Bleues !

that turd place game is such a fucking waste of space.

I hate that playing for third place shit. Just sum up the number of goals they scored in this competition and be done with it. No one cares, it's just further humiliation.

Sunday will be the battle of the beauties and the beasts!

r54 tough shit. We should've won this. We won't get a draw in our favour like that again.

Central Canada remains safe. The Plains of Abraham jokes of a potential France-England final match were amusing, while short-lived.

I suspect that a lot of the posters saying how ugly the Croatia team is probably thought Aaron Hernandez was the cat's pajamas

But he was, Blanche, he was!

Lapping up all the English tears on Twitter!

R62 so true they only had to beat a james less colombia, a blah sweden and blah Croatia, they won’t get a cakewalk like that again.

It must be depressing, having to hang around in the host nation for a few days so you can play for third place. A chance at bronze probably doesn't feel very motivating for them at the moment. When France lost the final in 2006, I remember some of the players taking their silver medals straight back off after receiving them, they were so disappointed.

R64, fair play to the Croatians. Though it says smthg about a match when a guy like Kane is moderately prettier than most of the opponents. Their poor WAGs!

They're all multi-millionaires - can't they all pretty themselves up a bit for the global cameras?

R69 kane is ugly as sin but at least he tries and has decent hair, modric with his pta/soccer mom hair is kind of hopeless

R70 He is not a narcissist, just a normal guy playing football. Playing very fucking good.

Pickford is so intense and he also has a serious set of cakes bringing up his rear. One of my things is light haired mens with buzz cuts....Woof! Too bad about the losing thing.

Ok so I need you guys to explain the whole overtime playing thingy. Why was this game extended for such a long period of time? I know they talked about injury extra minutes, but I don't really get it. Every time they stop play those non-playing minutes are added to the overall time of the game? (Or something?)

Do they all cry so much about every run in they have with an opposing player?

R71, he's not a "normal guy playing football", he's a multi-millionaire with guys massaging him all over during match intervals.

R72, yes, a regular match is 45 minutes each half. In a knockout game, extra-time is added if the game is tied after the two halves. ET is a mini-game essentially--with 2 15 minute halves. Time is added for stoppage in play such as celebrations after a goal, injuries and substitutions. It's not an exact science. Ultimately, it's up to the referee to call time on a half and game--they have the final say-so

That's why you always see winning team players take their time being subbed off and feigning injuries. They're hoping to burn time but most refs will take it into consideration and add time anyway. So I wish they would just stop with that shit.

Well, the Croatian team might be fuggo but the guys in Zagreb behind a reporter on BBC World News were fucking HOT. They jumped into a fountain in Zagreb’s city centre and I felt compelled to rub one out. Woof.

wait, did mick jagger really go to the game? I was at meetings all day and couldn't watch. I recorded the game.

BTW, stoppage time being announced at the end of an half and game is a fairly recent invention. It used to be it was solely at the discretion of the referee and nobody knew how much time was left. You would be watching the end of the game and everyone would guess how much time would be left. Of course there would be shouts of corruption and incompetence. Announcing the stoppage time makes things much more transparent but again, ultimately, it's up to the ref.

Well, it's so predictable now right? France is gonna win! But Croatia might foul a lot, be very physical game.

England is gonna be Belgium because Harry Kane wants that golden boot. He's gonna try his best to score!

Oh my god, did you see that guy jump on top of his coach? He was gonna hump him from behind!

How has China not engineered a semi-decent team by now?

Bye bye, England

R76

Straight from Mick's Twitter account...

England should’ve won it. Had they made half the goals they attempted, they would have. That said, neither team could beat France at this point.

Fucking Mick Jagger the Jinx!!!!

He'll be dead by the time Qatar rolls around, right? But definitely for the North American one?

The Rolling Stones legend has been labelled a jinx following his association with other sporting failures.

And Mick, 74 – an Arsenal fan – struck again after going to watch the game in Moscow tonight.

The Rolling Stones legend is known to have a curse on any national side he tunes in to watch.

He was reportedly in the stands for England’s defeat by Argentina in France 1998.

And he is to have wrongly predicted Brazil, England and the USA would all win specific games at the World Cup in 2010.

The rocker first saw the USA lose to Ghana at the 2010 World Cup.

He then supported Brazil in the quarter finals who lost to the Netherlands.

He finally turned up to see England lose 4-1 to Germany.

Jagger had also tweeted support for England before their defeats to Italy and Uruguay in 2014.

He did the same this evening, writing: “C’mon England.”

And he was in the stands four years ago with his Brazilian 19-year-old son when they were humiliated 7-1 by Germany.

Jagger was even forced to defend himself following that defeat.

Mick said: “I can take responsibility for the first German goal but not the other six.”

The rock legend has even been nicknamed “pe frio” which means “cold foot” – a term of bad luck.

He also told Portugal and Italy fans at his concerts that their teams would go through to the knockout stages – but both teams failed to progress.

Mick is reported to have made sure that none of the Rolling Stones’ tour dates fell on the same night as games.

Gareth Southgate’s England side failed to reach Sunday’s final for the first time since 1966 after defeat to Croatia.

England team looked tired but Croatia seemed to get stronger as the game went on...What kind of PEDs are they on? They don't seem tired at all and they have played 3 overtimes! fishy!

[quote]Gareth Southgate’s England side failed to reach Sunday’s final for the first time since 1966 after defeat to Croatia.

Wait, they had reached the final in every single World Cup since 1966?

Another reason why players feign injuries / waste time is to allow themselves to recover / catch their breath. Surprisingly it's rarely mentionned as a reason, on TV you don't realize how how incredibly burned they are after running around for 90 minutes. Getting 30 seconds to breathe down is crucial towards the end.

On a side note we need to officially ban Mick Jagger from stadiums. Love the guy but he's done enough harm.

[quote] A chance at bronze probably doesn't feel very motivating for them at the moment.

Especially considering the fact that Belgium will probably destroy them. France-Belgium should have been the proper final, they're the two best teams on this championship.

R85 R87

Now, do you believe me?

R86

I hope not! He's a frakking music legend! Besides, I guess the curse went to his children, too!!!

R88 they are croatian witches, Warts and pointy crooked noses and all

I always used to laugh when you guys kept saying that Mick Jagger was a jinx, but I'm not laughing tonight. That's said, I'm very proud of the England team. They did the country proud. Going into this tournament, there's wasn't much enthusiasm for the England team nor did anyone think they'd get every far, but congrats to them for all they've achieved in this world cup. C'est la vie! I hope France goes on to win on Sunday.

R89 no. The last time England reached the semi-final was in 1990, when England lost to what was then called West Germany. West Germany went in to beat Argentina to win the 1990 World Cup. Most of the current England players weren't even born in 1990! The last time England reached the finals was in 1966, when they went on to win the World Cup after beating West Germany 4-2.

It's because of Mick's sympathy for the devil.

R88 they’re on roids. Croatia has some of the oldest players.

r93 Ah, that makes more sense, thanks.

You're very welcome R96. I wish England had reached the finals of every World Cup since 1966, at least then, we'd have much better confidence about our prospects for the next tournament, and feel less dejected than we do now. England going to the finals would've also been a much needed tonic ahead of Trump's visit on Friday. Again, best of luck to France for Sunday.

Just saying, in the group stages, I said Croatia could do well because they have a great midfield. When push comes to shove in football--the midfield rules the day. England doesn't have anyone remotely close to the class of Modric and it showed today. He and Croatia took over after halftime and England couldn't keep up.

Though, damn, I didn't think they were going to to the final!

R97, the positive is that this England team is very young so you can see it as a beginning rather than an end. But you have to improve your midfield and hope a real #10 shows up. Otherwise, it's going to be boot the ball up the sky and score off set pieces forever.

R93, this England team have done a great job and certainly exceeded expectations. England feels like a contender again for the first time in a while.

Happy for Croatia.

yes but the next cup is in hell! so fucking hot! players are gonna die.

I agree R99 & R100. You can't always win everything. Onwards and upwards.

R103

"You cant always get what you want..." (lol)

Love that, Lagertha. It'll forever remind me of Donald Trump using that song at his rallies, after the Stones asked him to stop. Oh the irony, in so many ways...

R81, that's a good question. Apparently bribery and match-fixing are very common in China, so their players are not playing competitive matches. As a result, they never get good enough to compete internationally. (Corruption is destroyed Hungary: decades ago, Hungary produced legendary teams. Now you never hear of them because their league is plagued by match-fixing).

Anyway, you did so well, England. You got further than anyone ever thought you would, and you broke the penalty shoot-out jinx. Great, great stuff.

How many penalty shootouts have England lost since 1990? It seemed like every tournament.

At least they have won the world cup once! USA has won NOTHING! and wont be winning anything for a very long time!

R107, they've lost three penalty shoot-outs at the World Cup (1990, 1998, and 2006) and three in the Euros (1996, 2004 and 2012). Supposedly Southgate made them practise penalty shoot-outs religiously because of his own experience at the Euro '96 semis, which may be the reason they finally won that one against Colombia last week.

Thanks, R109. That's a hell of a run. I vaguely remember that Chris Waddle missed a crucial one in 1990. That was the time Ireland made it to the quarter finals on penalties.

France will win now. It's been exactly 20 years since they won World Cup last time.

R111 Croatia is coming for a revenge for a loss in semifinals against France that year. Go Vatreni!

Croatia got naked together at the World Cup four years ago and they won this year, therefore if you want to win you must get naked and photographed by the paps!

R113

Your logic is flawless!

France, start stripping off!!!

Yes, France, it's imperative! Don't let your country down! (Especially Varane and Griezmann!)

France v. Croatia for the Mundial final. Excuse me but Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

R116 - throughout this World Cup, some of the games I expected to find boring have turned out to be entertaining (South Korea v Germany, Nigeria v Argentina, Belgium v Japan).

R113, for real? where are the pics?

seriously, I don't like Pogba. He's gonna be even more hard to take if they win.

I will root for Croatia, the underdogs.

20 years to the day since France won the World Cup. I didn't know anything about football at the time, but I remember hearing my dad (who supports Brazil) repeatedly shouting "Get Ronaldo off the pitch!" at the screen.

It's been interesting listening to some of the young women I've been around during this WC. Many of them are watching and talking about it. I wondered when women were going to catch on to the fact that footballers are some of the best looking and sexiest athletes.

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

I'm a bit disappointed that we'll never get to see the shameless divefest that would have been France v England.

[post redacted because independent.co.uk thinks that links to their ridiculous rag are a bad thing. Somebody might want to tell them how the internet works. Or not. We don't really care. They do suck though. Our advice is that you should not click on the link and whatever you do, don't read their truly terrible articles.]

Remember the guy who promised to go to Mass every Sunday? Here's how he didn't watch the game...

Next Sunday, I want a video of the priest saying that he actually went to Mass and stayed there all the time! Remember, if he breaks the promise, England may be champions in Qatar! (lol)

R118 ....

wow! thanks for the pictures.

Nice butt but no croatian dick, disappointing.

why did that croatian player refused to come on during the game? this was a few games ago...does anyone know?

Golly, gee whiz! Look at what the internet machine does when I type "croatian player refused to come on during the game"

r124 I'm actually looking forward to that. More people will tune and there will be enough football for everyone. If it fails, they can still scrap it and return to the current system.

I'm looking forward to the 2026 one so much! Don't really care about the Qatar one. Say, did the 1994 World Cup in any way increase the popularity of this sport in the US?

BREAKING NEWS!

Leaked Footage Of Southgate Giving The English A Motivational Speech: "The Third Place Is Coming Home!"

So the match for third place starts in an hour. I heard a discussion on BBC radio overnight that described keeping this fixture in the tournament as a way to "offer starving dogs rubber bones."

Apparently the third-place game has been dropped from most major tournaments. Olympics and World Cup being exceptions.

Harry and Lukaku going at it today! Both want the golden boot!

The third-place playoff - the one match of the tournament that no one wants to play.

If FIFA were going by performance thus far, Belgium would win bronze - they topped Group G, and they've scored 14 goals across the tournament to England's 12.

That ITV bumper music is so depressing. It just reminds me the World Cup will be over soon.

Today, I'll be rooting 51% for England and 49% for Belgium. The English had to put with that ignoranus' visit yesterday and all the jokes concerning the "it's (not) coming home" fiasco that I'll have to give them my support!

Former US national goalkeeper and Jersey boy Tony Meola in the booth for Fox. The Men in Blazers recognize him as a great player in their new book, and point out that he sported one of the most memorable mullets in all of soccer, in his days as a player.

Oh, boy!!!

Yeah, I'm 100% for Belgium. Why didn't they score that goal on Tuesday?

harry misses another shot.

Yeah, that should have been an England goal. This game means nothing so it's a wide-open game.

Is Mick Jagger around Saint Petersburg?

If I were the Queen, I would go "Off with his head!!!". Kidding... I love the guy, but I would banish him from any game involving England!

The mother of his Brazilian son said that we're bullying him. As if! We're not to blame for the dark cloud that he casts upon the Teams he supports!

I'm guessing if Jagger was to be attending any sporting event today it would be Wimbledon. Thankfully, no Brits playing today.

Allez Les Belges!!!

Belgium dominating but not quite working out near goal. But if they keep this up, it'll be a matter of time.

Only the Poms show up to the footie in a three piece suit with weskit.

In the 80's I heard Pom all the time (I was in New Zealand). Can we still use it in banter nowadays or is it unPC?

It's only 1-0 but it's all Belgium.

PC doesn't exist in Oz and Enzed. It's 2018 and they're still bloody whinging Poms.

I wish Belgium were in the final rather than Croatia.

I want Croatia to win. They have never won before. Rooting for underdog...but c'mon who can stop Mbappe?

Lukaku is huge. he's like fat or what? fat with muscle?

R151

The Croatians are tough warriors; so far, they already played an extra game (three 30' extensions = 90' = one game), 2 PKs and France got an extra day to rest. However, they remain determined, focused, and with their eyes on the Big Prize! Gotta respect this!!!

But the French side is way hotter, Lag, and will probably have significantly tighter jerseys.

R154

That's one of the reasons I say "Mon coeur est bleu!!!".

Head says France, heart says Croatia.

No dog in the hunt, just would be amazing to see a tiny nation win the Cup.

R156

And the President of Croatia is one cool and funny woman, not to mention an example to certain politicians. (*coughs* Cheeto *coughs*)

This young England team has more good things in front of them, probably.

Too bad that they are weirdly at a disadvantage for the Summer Olympics, even if they don't care. In the Olympics they compete as team Great Britain and have tried to cobble together teams including Scots and Welshmen. Why not just designate the England national team that plays together every year as the Olympic team?

Wow, that's another England goal...that should have been. Belgium lost a bit of the initiative after taking Lukaku out. Thought he was crap today but Belgium looks to be missing a striker up top.

R158, they can't just play the English national team in the Olympics because there's an age limit of 23 (with 3 exceptions). Yeah, this English team is young but they have quite a few players over 23 or will be by 2020.

Plus, yeah, I'm sure the Welsh and Scots would totally be kosher with being excluded from the Olympic team.

Well, that's that.

Allez Les Belges!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great goal from Hazard there

All in all, it's just another brick on the wall; another nail in the English coffin, etc.

It was bound to happen, too much Belgium class. Hazard 2-0. Good to see him score, he deserves it--fantastic player, fantastic tournament.

England's toast. Belgium played the better game. They deserve the win.

So England--faced two good teams and lost all three games.

Very happy for Belgium.

The Belgians were a joy to watch. They played and tried relentlessly.

However, Courtois owes his player #2 (his name ?) big time. The English were scoring but this defenser arrived like a guardian angel and protected the goal when Courtois was beaten.

Beautiful match. Unexpected for a third place final.

Tournament over for Hazard, now the summer speculation starts. Is he wearing a Chelsea or Real Madrid shirt come September?

Congratulations, Red Devils! I gotta a feeling that you could have made it to the Final, but the World Cup is not always fair; there's a lot of luck involved! Keep the good work and maybe next time...

England, dream on! You've already waited for 52 years, four and a half years won't make such a difference, will they?

Now, tomorrow won't be for the weak of heart. It'll be a tense day, a truly emotional roller-coaster! Be prepared!

It's a pity, Belgium didn't try to lose that group game to England. If they had, they would have gone to the weaker draw and we'd probably be watching a France-Belgium final. England would have lost to France just as they lost to Croatia. But Belgium, on form, would have have beaten Croatia.

Belgium's best ever result at a World Cup. Alderweireld's save from Dier was fantastic.

Lukaku didn't score, so Kane will now win the Golden Boot unless Griezmann or Mbappe scores at least three goals in the final (or one of the other players scores a hell of a lot).

If Greizmann or Mbappe score three, Croatia are fucked!

The officiating has been rather horrid throughout the Cup games.

Is Ian Wright family?

Thomas Meunier Made the first goal for Belgium ! The second Eden Hazard . Very proud !

England just could not score!

Thanks, r160. I had forgotten about the age-limit Olympic rule. Still, I hope Great Britain can find a way to compete better at the Olympics.

As for tomorrow, I won't be terribly disappointed if Croatia wins, but I'm still in the Allez les Bleus camp. Hoping for a great match. I know one thing I'll miss watching in the US is more sophisticated commentary, with accents.

I had a dream where I overslept and missed the first half of the final. I turned on the TV at half-time to find that it was 2-0 to France, both scored by Mbappe. I was so relieved when I woke up and realised I hadn't missed anything!

My heart is blue, but today I found out a tiny white and red spot near my left ventricle. We don't know who the Gods of Football will favor today, but as R179 pointed out, I won't be disappointed if Croatia wins! Besides, I found out that the President of Croatia is a child after my own heart: she celebrated the last victory in the dressing room surrounded by half-naked men! (*sniffs*) She makes me proud!

It's hard to believe that in a couple of hours everything will be over... Thirty-two Teams began this journey and, now, only two remain! But you know the old saying "There can be only one!". Today the Princes of the Football Universe will meet to decided who wins the big prize and become Kings for the next 4 1/2 years. It's been a journey filled with blood, sweat and tears, but also funny moments and the company of good friends from all over the world. But, fear not, for the Princes will gather again in the battlefields of Qatar and we will meet again to cheer (and to bitch about random stuff)! (lol)

Let the Game Begin!!!

P.S.: "Whosoever wins this game, if they be worthy shall possess the World Cup."

P.P.S.: I'm emotional, I know... (*sobs*)

R180, that sounds like the kind of nightmare I'd have before a World Cup final. I had a horrible night's sleep, I wonder if the players do too.

I am a French citizen (not that into football in general, for context) I went for a walk in my city earlier, and the intensity is so strong that I came home full of stress. Not even anticipation or nerves, actual stress. It's so very eery how contagious feelings are. You walk around and suddenly get hit by it. I can't imagine what the atmosphere in Paris must be like...

I hope the players are indeed well sheltered emotionally because if they could feel what's going on at home they would shit their pants.

I’m going to be cheering for the underdog Croatia. Though I fear that France already got this in the bag.

Another great day in international sports, live in the US in the morning! The Wimbledon men's final is underwhelming, but watching the boys ride the cobblestones in the Tour de France has been exciting. And now this, arguably the biggest single sporting event in the world about to begin. Despite less than stellar coverage by Fox Sports, I look forward to a great game and a fun discussion here.

FIFA annnced the schedule for Qatar 2022- will run from Nov. 21 to Dec. 18, I think I heard. Happy holidays to all!

Good afternoon! I have to cheer for France, but hope for a good game above all.

I watched the run-up on Match of the Day, but now I wish I'd seen the closing ceremony. Apparently Ronaldinho played the bongos.

Well, the underdog are dominating early.

[quote]I watched the run-up on Match of the Day, but now I wish I'd seen the closing ceremony. Apparently Ronaldinho played the bongos.

Dang it, I always forget that the closing ceremony comes [italic]before[/italic] the final.

Come on Croatia! Also, Rebic number 18 is fire.

You ought to watch on Telemundo if you are sick of Fox. If you don't speak Spanish, no matter; it's still better than listening to the Fox announcers.

Well, ok!

Is that an own goal?

OG Croatia. 1-0. Perfect, Croatia have France exactly where they want them. Comeback Croatians.

Yes, own goal.

Oh, no!!!!!!!!! An own goal from Mandzukic!!!!

Oui! C'est magnifique! Allez!

The commentators on my channel are saying that it shouldn't have been a free kick, but I don't agree. I think Griezmann was definitely caught.

Poor Mandzukic.

What a pass from Pogba. Too bad Mbappe couldn't do better with it.

Own goal, howler and a lost penalty: the (unholy) trinity of football!

See! 1-0 down means Croatia are coming back!

Croatia scores!!!!!!!!!! They're alive and they will not give up easily!!!!!!!!!!

The French defence was all over the place, but that was a great strike! Another goal from a free kick (indirectly).

What the fuck is happening, France?! FINISH THEM !!!

Good match thus far. Anything can happen

This already has everything: OG, great strike, VAR and penalty.

Good call, Perisic obviously was swatting the ball.

Penalty!

Penalty for France on a handball.

France will miss.

Macron's wife literally decomposing in her seat.

Antoine scores for France!!!

So many gays and women falling in love with Greitzmans baby blues.

YES!

A bit nervous for Greizmann as he missed a PK in the Champions League Final.

Griezman!!!

His cute little bubble butt doesn’t hurt either.

Damn, he done pulled one over him there.

All it means is Croatia will score their 2nd.

So will that referee's decision be considered controversh, even after he had looked at the screen for so long?

Looked like a clear handball on the tv replays, r220.

Not really, I think. It was definitely handball and it influenced play.

r221 & r222 Thanks. I want this to be a clean win for the French.

Might have been a goal without the hand misdirecting it so good call by ref.

Oh, the theatrics of it all!

Vida’s hair is so vomit !

Fifteen minutes: time for toilet + snacks + beverages!

Oh, such a great first half. Drama abounds!

The guy who fouled MBappe just now deserved a yellow. Especially considering the yellow cards given to the French so far weren't that deserved.

France, supposedly with a great defensive, have been exposed quite a bit by Croatia.

VAR getting generally good reviews in this tournament, right? I wonder when the English Premier League will adopt it, if ever?

EPL resumes next month, yay!

Croatians are already moral winners! Hoping for an another comeback.

R229, I agree. There was no intention to play the ball. Sure it wasn't a bad tackle, but it was a professional foul purely to stop a player going forward and stop a France attack.

I don't know, that VAR looked like something from the '90s to me. Seemed like just ordinary video from different angles, not the high-tech stuff they have in tennis.

r232 Thankfully, we judge on objective goals, not subjective morale, whatever the hell that means in football. They are most certainly not moral winners in my eyes.

*judge based on

The croats are beating themselves : fouling, own goal, then a stupid hand provoking a penalty... They have only themselves to blame here.

Such an exciting first half. Croatia are giving it their all. I want France to win, but I actually hope Croatia equalise so it goes into extra time. Not ready for the tournament to end yet!

Well, R237, Croatia have had bad luck too. I don't really mind who wins at this point, it's been so entertaining thus far. Although, like R238, I'd kind of like extra time and maybe penalties too.

Hey, Lagertha. Can you please call on the Thunder God to direct those storms away from the stadium? Let's see this not be the first WC final delayed by weather.

Although that would be dramatic, sure.

Yes, I think the Croatians have been better and created more danger but they're down 2-1 due to an OG and penalty.

They showed Croatians celebrating in Los Angeles--St. Anthony's Church. That's in my family's neighborhood.

That was a great save from the French keeper

It would be a shame if Croatia loses because they have been far better than the French. Disappointed with how lackluster France has played.

Oh, great, pitch invaders.

Was that a streaker?

Dear Lord but the French seem slow and just inept in general.

R240

He put me on hold! Right now, he's fighting some jötnar hence the stormy clouds.

Love how they just dragged those invaders off the pitch. They'll never be seen again, mark me.

A lifetime in the gulag for the invaders.

Croatia need to capitalise on their dominance now.

Damn, Kante out. I know he's got a yellow but he's so important to France in the middle. Can't just be because of the yellow, maybe he's injured?

The French are going to win on technicalities.

Once again, Croatia midfield dominating and dictating. Pogba has been invisible.

R243 Belgium had the exact same complaint against the French. And the French won their semi-final.

And of course, Pogba scores...haha.

Pogba is visible now!

And "les bleus" score again!!!!!!

Bye croatia they try hard but it’s not enough!

FUCK YES!

And of course I fucking missed it because I was posting on DL.

I’m sad for Croatia :( I was going with the underdog

Counterattack!

The star Pogba did deserve that! Allez!

That guy between Macron and Putin (FIFA pres?) just signing the merch, not caring what's happening on the field.

[quote]

I told you, Croatia! But did you listen? Ohhh no.

That's a lovely strike by Pogba, considering it was on his weaker left foot.

Think France have it now, but Croata for most of this game, have been superior. Two goals down may be too much to ask.

France would have murdered England.

Come on, Frenchies, one or two more. Make this hurt!

Do you think Croatia can comeback and score ? The penalty was such bad luck for Croatia.

YEEEES !!

Your wish is their command, R266.

Cool! Love that boy

Too much offensive young talent for France and they are hotter so whatver peace out cinderella croatians.

Poor Croatia!!!

It's all over now.

Mbappe has been incredible. Even with Pogba's goal, he didn't directly assist, but it was his wing play that created the opportunity.

Poor guys!!! Will this be endgame for Croatia?

France would beat the lads 6-0 or 7-0 lol

Just look at that strike. Mbappe just sits back and watches it sail in.

Oh yes!

They don't give up; they never surrender!!!

God damn it, that one was ridiculous.

What type of brainfart for that hottie goalie lol

R278 the ugly ones never do...ugh

The definition of taking your eye off the ball.

Not fair ☹

[quote] France would have murdered England.

It would have been a fucking bloodbath.

You have to feel for the Croatian goalie. There can't be a feeling on Earth much worse than letting a goal through in a World Cup final, and he's experienced it four times now.

And Lloris just fucked up as I was typing!

I think this game is nearly there in having everything. We now have the keeper gaffe. Croatia needs to score 2 more so can have a penalty shootout. Oh and someone needs to get a red.

The penalty goal and this one were ridiculus but if we discount both, it's still 3:1.

ALLEZ LES BLEUS

Go Croatia!! It might be hard but it would make the game so exiting!

Come on Croatia. It’s not over yet!

When I said Not fair, I meant for Croatia. I still think they are the better team. But Oh well, this is soccer.

Lovren has some explaining to do, since he was telling everyone he was one of the best defenders in the world.

VIVE LA FRANCE!!!!

They are fighting hard, those guys in their oddly ill-fitting red and white check pizza delivery kits.

Fuck off, Emmanuel. The guy never once supported them until they were in the final. Even said so himself.

Macron is a rabid football supporter, you don't know what you're talking about obviously r294. It's the third match he attending this world cup.

r294 Fake news!

The penalty and the autogol in the first half, was the kiss of death for Croatia. What a time to have bad luck, in the final of the World Cup!!

Did Belgium have to stick around for a medal ceremony today? Or are they thankfully off on holidays?

Madame Lagertha's predictions: tomorrow, a Monday of all days, few people will go to work in France and the ones that go to work will be wearing "bleu, blanc et rouge" and will be nursing a mighty hangover! Their excuses will be "Allez les bleus!".

There you go, Lloris, grasp that ball tightly!

I want to see live feeds from the Champs d'Elysees soon!

Come on, France, time to wrap this puppy up.

You tell’em Al.

The long tournament catching up with Croatia. They're tired looking.

Sime will never play another game for Atletico Madrid ever again.

Croatians were better and played better. But what are you going to do.

Now, we'll hear the French brag about it for 4 years.

Well deserved, garçons! You made it all exciting

Enh, too bad it wasn't 5:0 but at least they won.

Congratulations, France! You're The Ones; the Winners of the 2018 World Cup! Let's celebrate!!!

Croatia, congratulations, too! I know that you expected that beautiful, golden Cup to go to Zagreb, but, if it serves as a consolation (and I know, it doesn't) you have the applause and respect of football fans all over the world!!!

C'est la vie... la vie en rose pour France!!!

Damn does every one for france have a bubble butt?

Welll, that close-up was porn-like.

Too bad for the french hotties they will get knocked out early in 2022.

More close up of their butts please

R310

I believe that's good, don't you? (*winks*)

So this was fun. See you all in 2022. Those of you who'll still be alive then, that is.

Vive la France!!! Fantastic goals

My crystal ball says usa will advance over france in pool play in qatar.

The French manager is in peril there!

R315 you jinxed yourself bye bitch rip

Well done to Croatia, they had a fantastic tournament. It was great to see such an open game. Neither team played negatively.

[quote]So this was fun. See you all in 2022. Those of you who'll still be alive then, that is.

Here's hoping!

The women's World Cup is in France next summer. And Euros in 2020 is it? Plus I have tried and failed to get a Premier League thread going here for years. But this was all very interesting and lots of fun! Thank you to all

It was historic for Croatia to reach the final stage of the tournament. A proud achievement.

Lagertha, it was a pleasure to follow the games with you. You too other anonymous soccer fans.

Cool R321! Thanks for the info!

I hope someone drives a truck into the Eiffel Tower crowd.

R325 that’s a horrible thing to say.

R323

My pleasure!!!

[quote] I hope someone drives a truck into the Eiffel Tower crowd.

Fuck you, you vermin

R325

Fair play! Don't be a sore loser! Your countrymen are setting an example of sportsmanship and you are shaming them!!!

Very happy that both Mbappe and Pogba scored today for France. One amazing teen, one incredible all-around player who really deserved to score one himself in the final. History records such moments.

Hey, R325, that is not a thing to say. I was rooting for the underdog (Croatia), but what you wrote is unacceptable. You are cautionning terrorism, even if you only meant it as a joke.

Met people celebrate in peace.

Great Cup, vive les bleus

*Let, obviously.

I know, it was terrible. I don't really want people to get hurt, I hope I haven't jinxed anything. I apologize to the Fates for putting that out there.

I'm just so angry, I feel that two French goals were the direct result of the referees handing them over. I will always believe this result is tainted.

Sorry to bring the thread down.

I've only really paid attention to four World Cups (2006 through today) and this has easily been my favourite. So many great games: Spain v Portugal, France v Argentina, Belgium v Japan, the final...

And I've really enjoyed the commentary on DL. Posters on sports forums take it too seriously, it's all a bit earnest. DL is much more fun.

In France, tonight they party like its 1998! Only better, with Instagram and Twitter

Well done, Modric!

Fuck you, r325, what you wrote is absolutely vile. And the French scored FOUR TIMES. They won their match.

If you're gonna be an angry little fuck, be angry at the croats for fouling and scoring against themselves.

Now leave the thread, you nasty shit

R338 kill the bitch

Macron is enjoying all the sweaty man BO

Can R325 be banned from DL? Where's Muriel?

Modric deserved the Golden Ball.

Wishing death on supporters by terrorism ? Somebody sends the FBI to r325's trailer.

Macron and the Croatian leader getting drenched. Is Putin under an umbrella? Loser

Everyone is very touchy-feely.

I’m happy for Modric , I didn’t know his backstory about him and the war and him watching his grandfather getting killed.

They rush out an umbrella for Putin but leave the others to be soaked. Typical Russian rudeness.

There are umbrellas for all, R344, both they all seem to be getting soaked, more or less. Glad the rain held off until now.

R345 they are european

Vladimir has gotten FAT

Marcon just kissing all the players fucking hate pogba, trying to be main man

R350

Vladimir is looking forward to meeting his soulmate in Finland!

Too bad they arent wearing white pants to see some wet vpl and underwear

The Croatian Pres is happy to cop feels from these young studs and very touchy-feely with Macron.

R354, she's very attractive, and I'm sure will welcome the Baby Blimp in Zagreb!

Must be extra fun sliding all over the pitch in the rain lol

Pele looked 35 when he was a teenager wtf

Geez man dived for that free kick

Pele is hung, I have seen a pic but on mobile can’t post

Harry Kane wins golden boot

Antoine griezmann what a hottie, just saw an interview with him.

R321, if you start a Premier League thread I will definitely post!

What malchance with the OG by Croatia.

Adding to all the rest of OGs in this world cup.

R359 this one? Looks meh

Fantastic party in Paris, what a day

Of course potus (such a known soccer fan...not) tweets to congratulate France but also to praise Putin and Russia.

See you tomorrow, my friend and dictator.

Modric is a v nice guy! Cool with fans! He pointed his finger at me and winked when I saw him with Real Madrid

If you’re feeling bad for Croatia, remember this... one of their players was actually egging the crowd on to chant racist shit and was banned for 10 games. What did their FA do? Make him assistant coach. Their fans burnt a swastika on their own pitch because they were fined for racist chanting in a separate match. Their first 2 qualifiers in this World Cup were played without fans after racist chanting against Hungary and Israel.

No place for racism in football and that’s why I’m glad they didn’t win.

The goals, with the exception of the first Croatian one, were such a joke. But France won fair and square, it's not their fault the Croatian defense and goalkeeper are such a joke. The French are such hotties. Happy for France, specially because I just know Putin didn't want them to win. Lol, such a bitch, he couldn´t get a little wet and left the other two leaders to get drenched, specially the lady (who seemed such a good sport, and was very touchy feely with Macron.... if Macron wasn't gay-ish, I bet he would have banged the Crotatian Pres tonight).

Fox has the rights to Qatar 2022 already booked. I would guess the US rights to North America 2026 will be fought over for big money. I'm hoping for NBC (which has multiple cable channels, including NBCSN and the Olympic Channel for simultaneous games and prime-time repeats). The team that NBC has for English soccer makes these punters on Fox look lame, with the exception of Kate Abdo and Kelli , a couple of very cool British women who bring it home.

R368, wow I didn’t know that! Fucking cunts! Glad they didn’t win!

It’s still many years away, they will have time to sign new commentators

Macron is so hot, even though he's a prick. He looked a bit tipsy, actually, as did the Croatian president.

I only want to see you standing in the Putin Rain!

Did you see the picture of Macron standing on top of the table and celebrating?

^373 Don’t worry Antoine, he’s only attracted to grannies.

Yes, R375

Note to Lovren: if you want to publicly describe yourself as the best defender in the world, wait until AFTER you've won the Cup. AFTER.

r373 Such a hot photo.

R373 Putin was soaking wet too, standing next to Macron in that photo. And sort of smiling. Eh, murders shmurders, as Trump says, we kill people too. I'd take him over Trump any day. At least he's not insane.

R370, all true though I thought Derek Rae was also good on Fox. There was a good story in the Guardian about how Fox botched the coverage.

Pogba on French Tv began to tear off a strip to a journalist but he got the wrong journalist

For you who was the hottest player of this World Cup?

Beautiful

This guy... 19 yo.

Probably Varane, R383.

R373 a daddy/son fuck scene between Macron and Griezmann would be hot

That was such a wonderful World Cup!!! I loved it.

I’m sorry but that guy looks a lot older than 19, wtf are they feeding kids these days?

R389 that’s nothing you should have seen the nba draft to see the guys trying to pass for 19 Like this number one pick.

R389 - as R357 pointed out, Pele sure as hell didn't look seventeen in 1958:

Antoine Griezmann, R383. And Neymar is very handsome, but all the theatrics make it hard to find him sexy.

R391 that’s some Joseph Minala shit

Sexiest to me was a tie between Griezmann and the Denmark goalie. IMO neymar is a butterface, he has a superb ass though.

Let’s not forget Brazil’s goal keeper Alisson.

No Alisson is fug to me, too many pimples. I like Danilo better

Neymar isn’t handsome, he’s cute, boyish.

Go Croatia

You're a few hours late, R398

Griezmann it’s so pretty, a bit short though.

R400 5’9 is perfect height for a bubble butted bottom

Griezmann booty

All that ass

Right in the hole.

Griezmann always looks sad when he’s on the pitch. Maybe he’s just concentrating.

The pitch invaders, btw, were members of Pussy Riot, the punk demonstration group.

Iceland's Magnusson was really pretty

Without Torres, I concentrated on the football.

R406 he gave me a Tilda Swinton vibe.

A Brazilian site chose the following 11 players as "Hunks" (they've received over 17 million votes during this "election"!):

Gerard Piqué (SPA)

Alisson (BRA)

Duje Caleta-Car (CRO)

Rúrik Gíslason (ICE)

James Rodriguez (COL)

Olivier Giroud (FRA)

Paulo Dybala (ARG)

Remo Freuler (SWI)

Nacho (SPA)

Marco Asensio (SPA)

P. Coutinho (BRA)

However, I believe these results have been manipulated! Where's MY Manuel Neuer? He should be up there!!! (Oh, yes! GER 7 x BRA 1 2014 World Cup in Brazil!!! They have not digested it, yet.)

P.S.: The new French motto: "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité, Mbappé"!

Just last season Alisson had clear skin. I believe the previous post which said he has some kind of rosacea brought on by stress. Well anyway I still think he's handsome.

R409 no Griezmann in that list! :o

R411 or Schmeichel that list sucks

Back to reality

R411 R412

Sour grapes, indeed! Antoine was certainly left behind because of 1998 when France won the Final over Brazil (Didier Deschamps was the French captain and held the Cup high)!!!

Instead of a Premier League thread, maybe it should be 2018-19 European Leagues? That way it includes chatter about big games in Spain, France, Germany and Italy (especially with Ronaldo joining Juventus). Including other club leagues may make the thread more sustainable.

Or just call Football Season 2018-19 and it will catch all club football talk--there's Iniesta and Torres in Japan now.

Sounds like a good plan, r415. I will look for the thread if you start it next month, or if I end up starting one I'll try to make it inclusive to all the leagues starting back up.

I know the ratings are down in the US from Brazil 2014 on ESPN; I blame Fox coverage and the obscurity of their cable channel (channel 400 where I am) in part, and the time zone difference also. Of course, the US not qualifying is a whole different discussion.

Crowds that may may number hundreds of thousands welcome the victors back home in Paris.

Always impressive to see the champs elysees full of people. They must have had an incredible week end.

No way couthino is hot. he’s so short! I’ve met him many times, nice guy though. To be fair, I saw Alisson a few years ago when he was first called up by Brazil, he’s better looking in person. He looks fug in pictures

This is what happens when the Italians don't make it to the World Cup--you have someone like Coutinho on the top 10 hot list. Standards lowered.

Yes I agree, varatti from psg had such beautiful features!!! His eyes are so gorgeous

Damn I wonder how benzema feels , he hadn’t been called up to French team due to the blackmail case

Torres has joined his Japanese team, Sagan Tosu. Damn he looks good (next to one of his new teammates).

R423 those hideous tattoos though.

I love Torres but those tattoos are godawful. Hope he likes living in Japan! Shame that his tattoos will prevent him from entering lots of onsen - they don’t let tattooed guys in due to the yakuza.

Torres had a few tattoos from early on--mostly his wife and kids' names. Then he went back to Madrid and went bonkers with the tattoo sleeves. Hideous. He'll get away with it being a gaijin and a superstar footballer at that, but yes, public displays of tattoos is still out of Japanese norms.

There is a thing with footballers and tattoo sleeves right? All of them have it, it’s very tacky most of the times.

R427, supposedly these tattoos are status symbols among footballers: having big, outrageous tats is a way of showing off, like having a fleet of exotic cars.

where is the footballers in love thread? where can we discuss hot footballers?

Current Footballers In Love Thread (collect them all!):

So, who will be the TOP 3?

Arsenal's Mesut Ozil quits German national team yesterday, tired of being harassed for his ethnicity.

[quote] Ozil said that in the eyes of his detractors, "I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose." His family traces their roots to Turkey and he is proud of his background. "I have two hearts, one German and one Turkish."

Özil's words remind me of a quote by Albert Einstein:

“If my theory of relativity is proven successful, Germany will claim me as a German and France will declare me a citizen of the world. Should my theory prove untrue, France will say that I am a German, and Germany will declare that I am a Jew.”

It's sad that, after more than 70 years afterwards, Einstein's words can still be applied to other people of non-German descent...

Germany will only lose with his departure!

P.S.: BTW, today's the birthday of the worlds greatest jinx: Mick Jagger! Happy birthday to this great musician and may he never root for my Team! (lol)

Fuck the international blackout shit! Burnley playing Abredeen for the first time ever, in a match that matters for qualifying for Europa League 2019. Happening now.

Not on any network in the US, and yet I can't access even the radio coverage from BBC 5.

It's just Burnley and Aberdeen. And Europa League.

Remember the good old days when we were overjoyed with 1 Champions League on Tuesday and 1 on Wednesday?

You asked for it, you got it.

2018-19 Football Thread