World Cup 2022 General Tournament Discussion Thread

I don’t think players should have to make political statements for their countries or fans. That’s up to politicians. Spineless gits won’t upset an oil nation so wait to see how the wind is blowing before opening their mouths.

Yes, Qatar has highly questionable ideas about rights we all take for granted but why does anyone think they can change that by brow beating them into submission.

This tournament was awarded 10 years ago and the political stuff just got steam in the final 2 months. It will all be forgotten about in 6 months.

USA game was a ok game. Very much a game of two halves for performances. It was the right result. Saw nothing else today.

You missed the point of my own issue but I'm conscious the thread would be better if it was football focused so I'll leave it at that.

It wasn't hollow at all. FIFA had to pull out unprecedented rules to stop it. Which only makes the armband look far more dangerous than it actually was.

Its like the knee. If the anti knee people just shut up and stopped virtue signaling taking the knee would have been forgotten in weeks.

England game must have set some sort of record. If it wasn't the full two hours it was very close...

I think trying to pretend it’s business as normal and let’s talk about Senegal vs Holland is ridiculous. This tournament is a stain on the game, bottom line. If you plod along and watch it like normal you are complicit.

We’re all going to be on the edge of our seats next year watching the Irish women play in a World Cup. Numerous players on that team - including our magnificent captain - are members of the LGBTQ+ community. It just highlights what a terrible and unacceptable decision it was / is to host the Men’s tournament in a country that doesn’t offer basic rights to women and homesexuals.

Talk about the football? Nah.

Talking about football on the soccer forum. I mean how more ridiculous can things get. To be honest I've no interest in the sexual orientation of any player.. just play the game or stay at home

I thought it was a penalty at the time. VAR took a minute or more to inform the referee.

The commentary team on RTE is brutal.

And we're off...

Commentary team doing my head in. ‘Can’t give that as you would have 5 or 6 penalties a game’ is their argument. In other words, you can’t give a foul because that foul happens a lot!

In fairness, How many games would have 5 penalties before defenders realise they can’t get away with grabbing players and actually try to defend properly? 1 or 2?

Penalty all day, but refs need to give them all.

The logic is about why be selective in enforcing it. The next game will have the usual grappling contest at corners and nothing will happen. If they really wanted to stamp that out they would give 5 or 6 pens a game but they won't.

Alan Cawley, that’s who it is, thanks!

Yeah, ‘sorry Guard, you can’t do me for speeding, sure don’t I always speed!’ :)

Saudis could be thrashed worse than Iran. Nice finish by Lautaro.

Offside to the rescue.

What’s wrong with Alan Cawley? Doing a good job I think

Masters of the offside trap

Credit to the Saudis. They're hanging in there. Suspect the floodgates will open with an Argentinian second.

Not impressed with the Argentina midfield, sloppy, losing the ball all over the place.

Saudi goal!

Saudi definitely the best authoritarian regime on display so far anyway.

Holy shït, Argies behind!!

They deserve it tbh. Completely different game since the half started.