World Cup 2018 Match Thread

[bodacious benny]

Good first half, Spain 1-2 Ronaldo.

[Hjl]

Why don't we ever have a Ronaldo

[bodacious benny]

Why don't we ever have a Ronaldo

Stick him in any top 8 side in the world and they probably win the world cup.

[bodacious benny]

2-2, dirty dog Diego.

[Hjl]

Why don't we ever have a Ronaldo

Stick him in any top 8 side in the world and they probably win the world cup.

Every game he plays he reminds me of that Zidane vs Brazil match from 8 years ago. He totally dominates.

[bodacious benny]

Screamer!!

[Hjl]

Christ, that was some shot...

[Chappy]

Great goal

[Hjl]

Well he had to score one sooner or later...

[bodacious benny]

Cracking game!

[Chappy]

Best so far easy

[ALF]

Great game, Ronaldo will get the headlines but Isco was sensational.

[Blue & Maroon]

Excellent performance from Ronaldo, spoiled by what looked like a dive for his pen. Looking for contact.

[Colly]

Blatant pen though. Why should he have to battle through the foul to stay on his feet? There's no incentive to do so, and if he is impeded it's a foul.

I always take it back to that Gerrard v Stoke one where he hurdled the foul, won the pen, then the ref was utterly slated for correctly giving it. Stay on your feet and you don't get a penalty.

[bodacious benny]

Was definitely a pen for me.

[jpg]

A classic!

[Valentino's fast feet]

A classic!

I enjoy your new name. Also, I personally don't think it's a penalty, but people who know much more about football say different. Either way, it was a bloody brilliant game.

[Blue & Maroon]

I really don't like it when players go looking for contact, he was going down as soon as the defender stuck out his leg even slightly, whether contact was made or not, made sure his foot made contact with the defender.

[Colly]

I really don't like it when players go looking for contact, he was going down as soon as the defender stuck out his leg even slightly, whether contact was made or not, made sure his foot made contact with the defender.

I can't agree with that, the defender had stuck his foot in, missed the ball, and was clearly in Ronaldo's path. He's in on goal. I can't grasp how the defender had time to hold his hands up as if to say "not fouling him" even as he fouled him. Pull your foot back you div.

Actually surprised at how much discussion this is getting, it was one of the more obvious penalties you see and outside of twitter ("Where the idiots play") I've not seen it mentioned.

[jpg]

FWIW, I found it refreshing how the ref didn't stop the game for Pepe going down clutching his face before Costa's goal. I wish more refs would allow that aggressive physicality and let matches flow better.