Frist!
In case the numbers do not come across as gibberish, sports book on Sweden advancing is +135 US -170.
Am very jittery about US surviving round of 16 because they’re not playing as a team; haven’t since the Vietnam match (just one goal since). Sweden had more trouble against Argentina than they should have, but crushed Italy, bested RSA and surrendered just one goal in total. Also, a deeper bench and can tactically field against us while we seem stuck with a much shallower starting rotation.
IOW Vlatko is costing me mucho sleep.
LFG!
2.
HumboldtBlue
Great match to kick off the night with Spain v Switzerland. Can Spain bring that beautiful ball control, passing and speed to overcome Holy Cheeses?
Then we get a truly tasty matchup between Japan and Norway, a match I expect Japan to win.
See youse in two hours!
3.
Ishiyama
Of course, I’m hoping for the best for Team Nadeshiko; but nothing is certain in life.
4.
HumboldtBlue
OK, this is gonna be fun. Spain has to rebound from that beating Japan gave them, and the Swiss have to find a way to score.
5.
HumboldtBlue
And Spain break the ice with some solid pressure and a great finish!
6.
HumboldtBlue
Well, that is not the way to play the game, Ladies of Spain, that is not the way.
7.
HumboldtBlue
The Holy Cheeses are in trouble unless they can get something from their counterattack.
8.
Anyway
Spain’s looking great !! Switzerland look out if it.
9.
HumboldtBlue
That’ll do it, 3-1 35 minutes in and Spain has scored all four goals.
10.
HumboldtBlue
Japan’s national anthem is very hymnal.
Norway’s too, for that matter.
11.
Ishiyama
And Japan scores!
12.
Ishiyama
Now it’s 3-1 for Japan!
13.
Ishiyama
Setting up a possible Japan – USA quarter-final.
14.
JML
This Spain-Swiss match is bonkers.
15.
HumboldtBlue
The Dutch v the Banyana Banyana. The Dutch are gonna be favored, so let’s see what the South Africans can do to break them down.
16.
HumboldtBlue
What a save by the SA goalie! That was fantastic and a great effort from the Dutch.
And the Dutch manage to get the second ball off a corner and head it in for a goal.
1-0 Oranjeboom!
And SSA with an excellent counter, saved by the Dutch goalie.
17.
HumboldtBlue
From the BBC:
This Dutch back three of Sherida Spitse, Stefanie van der Gragt and Dominique Janssen have a remarkable 424 caps between them.
Just the sort of experienced defence you want to see out a World Cup knock out win. Although they have been tested by Thembi Kgatlana so far.
That’s a lot of caps and a helluva lot of experience for the Dutch.
18.
HumboldtBlue
Great chance for South Africa!
They can counter, that’s for sure, they need to be far more sure with the ball in defense, however.
And Swart with another good save for SA!
Oh, no! SA defender turned her ankle badly, they’ve already had one key player subbed off, and it looks like another sub for this injury.
19.
HumboldtBlue
SA forces a turnover in the midfield and get their best chance on goal by far. But good goalkeeping snuffs the attack. Gotta give SA credit, two bad injuries to two top players, and they are going toe-to-toe with the Dutch. Helluva display.
Wow! Such an entertaining match. SA with two excellent counters to force two great saves from the Oranje. The Dutch seriously want that halftime whistle to blow.
20.
HumboldtBlue
From the BBC:
HT: Netherlands 1-0 South Africa. Netherlands have dominated possession, they have had 72% of the ball and made 329 passes to South Africa’s 130.
However, both sides have had the same number of shots – eight, with South Africa having more on target, five to four.
21.
HumboldtBlue
The Dutch cruise through with a 2-0 win, but it was far from comfortable, particularly late in the first half when SA’s speed and counter gave them fits. But the Dutch saw the game out as SA ran out of steam. A damn fine showing by the Banyana Banyana.
22.
MobiusKlein
So I’m camping in the east slope of the Sierra Nevadas, setting an alarm to wake at 2 am to watch with wife and daughter.
The tricky part is making sure our phones don’t run out of power. Are we nuts?
However, I will begin cooking chicken and chorizo at midnight, and I haven’t decided if I’m gonna cook rice or pasta to go with it. I have a ton of fresh broccoli, so that’ll get steamed and eaten lustily, and then I’ll sit down for the match.
Salad decided the chair that is always pulled up to my free hand, so I can pet him freely is not good enough and has taken up a post on my desk, where my mouse hand happens to rest.
Welp Sweden played it smart…USWNT aren’t as dangerous up front and going forward, if they prevail here, need a lot of breaks to go their way to get past sides who are clicking on all cylinders
72.
Baud
👍
73.
Baud
Ugh.
74.
eclare
Wow. Big miss.
75.
Baud
👍👍
76.
Mike E
Naeher!!!
77.
Baud
C’mon. This is ridiculous.
78.
Baud
Holy crap.
79.
eclare
Wow!
80.
eclare
That is sad.
81.
David 🌈 ☘The Establishment☘🌈 Koch
VAR is the player of the match
82.
Anyway
Oh bummer
83.
Baud
The US has hasn’t looked good all tournament, so I was pessimistic about them winning the whole thing anyway.
84.
Mike E
Lalas with the whining, at least Carli cited Naeher’s stellar performance… the rest of the world have upped their level of play while the USWNT is in a transition phase, no shame
85.
Ishiyama
Well, it is up to Nadeshiko Japan to carry my hopes & dreams.
86.
Mike E
@Ishiyama: They are poised to make a deep run… I’d like to see a first time winner, like Netherlands, but Japan getting a 2nd star would be fitting
Well fuque (just watched replay). Sweden keeper POTM (most keepers let in at least three of those shots in) but won’t ignore that the game was ours until we loosened our fingers around their collective throats. My WWC postmortem:-Vlatko’s 23 were not the US’s best and ultimately our undoing. This is on him and I expect his time as coach is over.
-Last WWC for Naher, O’Hara, Pinoe, probably Morgan. Blessings and thanks to you monsters of the pitch.
Top USWNT player award goes to Captain Horan.
WWC rookie achievement awards to Girma, Fox and especially Smith. Smith and Horan have [checks notes] 100% of US goals. DeMelo did well with her minutes and surely will be a fixture going forward.
WWC rookie vanishing in the field of play awards for Rodman and Williams. You simply needed to do more. Logging kilometers will please your track coach.
WWC rookie INCs for Huerta, Sanchez, Thompson. Not sure what Vlatko had in mind for you, but his rotation was far to tight for you to get a shot.
Rose, Rose, Rose, that second yellow hurt today. I know you were dying there on the bench. We still remember your goal against Netherlands four years ago, though.
A defense that surrenders one goal over 390 minutes is foundational, and usually a launchpad for great success. Our disconnected strikers, lack of cohesive buildup and press, especially an effective high press, betrayed the great work in back. This was a very un-US squad and we need a top to bottom overhaul before the Olympics.
LFG
89.
JML
@trollhattan: tough to have the USWNT lose when playing their best game of the Cup.
I have a little trouble saying Lavelle was missed out there because I’m not sure she and Horan can play next to each other in the midfield, and our midfield was playing its best today with Sonnett slotting in as a holding midfielder (seriously, I’m exhausted with all the commentators who discovered the term “double pivot” this week) and playing a 4-2-3-1 rather than a 4-3-3.
Sophia Smith had a learner of a Cup. She’s fantastically talented, but definitely struggled with the way she was defended and never formed much of a partnership with Morgan up top. She was clinical against Vietnam, but drifted in centrally too often against everyone else and dribbled into trouble rather than turn away from it. I have no doubt she’ll be back and be better next time.
Rodman was one of my heroes in this Cup; she provided the width and drive to the touchline we needed. And she got beaten on by the Swedes today, but still gave us a heck of a shift out there.
Girma gets my rookie of the Cup award: she played so well, gaining confidence with every game and made so many good decisions back there it was like watching Becky Sauerbrunn. The back line is in good hands.
90.
trollhattan
@JML: Smith is a natural 9 and it’s understandable why she’ll work towards the center, while Morgan and her magic left foot can play 11, but playing her there you in part take away her aerial game, and today she had headers on target.
Rodman is far less effective when Sanchez isn’t on the field with her and that’s how this tournament worked out. After her gaudy rookie NWSL season and championship, defenses have unlocked her so she’s rejiggering her game as a necessary result.
As to why Thompson, IDK. She was never going to start and we left some proven players back who might have taken that slot. Again, that’s on Vlatko.
Evidently Ertz is retiring from the USWNT, which is a shame. She was playing her way back from giving birth, and has been a physical presence our rather diminutive team really needed.
Wonder if the sports books are taking bets on next USWNT coach?
91.
David 🌈 ☘The Establishment☘🌈 Koch
@trollhattan:
After all these years they finally let Sonnett play and it turns out she’s good. Far better than Dahlkemper and Tierna. And as good as Becky is on defense, she doesnt go forward or contribute on corners like Sonnett. Also too, she had natural chemistry with Horan stemming from their years together in Portland.
92.
JML
@trollhattan: Horan brought plenty of physicality in this Cup, I thought?
I love Ertz as a player, but I’d rather she retired from international play definitively like this rather than hang around too long.
I do wonder if Mallory Swanson would have made a difference?
Smith has a great future, but she can’t do the same kind of hold-up play that Morgan does (and you’re correct on Morgan’s ability in the air as well) yet. I don’t mind Thompson getting a taste now; she’s going to be something, i think, and getting some experience on what a World Cup is like (and maybe feeling the sting of an early exit) might be good for her development.
93.
trollhattan
@David 🌈 ☘The Establishment☘🌈 Koch: Sonny’s a favorite, going back to her Thorns days. She’s worked the derps out of her game and now plays smart while still being fast and physical. Plus she’s a vocal leader.
Cook might yet get there but has not worked the derps out.
94.
trollhattan
@JML: Absolutely Lindsey is physical, but going back to the Olympics with Julie gone she was playing the Ertz spot, pivoting her to defence and preventing her from playing box-to-box, which is her forte. This tournament had her again playing the ideal role.
She was the first NWSL MVP who did not also win the golden boot.
95.
trollhattan
Two maybe important bits of player news:
Kiera Walsh practicing with the Lionesses
Sam Kerr practicing with the Matildas
Each team is significantly better should the two be able to suit up, perhaps even start. Australia with Kerr scares everybody.
96.
JML
@trollhattan: Right now my bet for the Final is Japan v England, but if this Cup has shown anything it’s that everyone has a shot. Australia with Kerr goes from being dangerous to scary to be sure.
I’m really appalled at the toxic BS coming at the USWNT right now. It’s mostly flying from right-wing douches who have problems with: women, the gays, sports figures who have opinions about things other than their sports, women, and anyone who doesn’t subscribe to their blinkered jingoistic misogynist bigoted right wing viewpoint. But it’s ugly AF.
97.
Barney
No sooner have England been declared the new competition favourites, with Keira Walsh back in the starting lineup, than they turn in a subpar first half against Nigeria – who are unlucky not to be ahead, hitting the crossbar (and have just done so again at the start of the 2nd). Nigeria have defended excellently, and break well. An England penalty for a push was overturned by VAR, deeming to be acceptable contact.
I’m excited about the (potential) Spain v Japan semi
99.
JML
@Anyway: That would be a great semi. On the other side of the bracket, it would be great to see either England v Australia, or England v France.
Some great potential matches out there, and I’m fairly certain at least one of the favorites is going to crash out unexpectedly.
100.
Mike E
@Barney: Colombia proved themselves tough vs Jamaica and will present a challenge to England. This has the potential to be a good tilt.
101.
JML
France pretty much having their way with Morocco today. Interesting French team this Cup; when they’re on they look pretty phenomenal, but they can also lay an egg.
102.
HumboldtBlue
Japan v Sweden.
This is gonna be good,
Comments are closed.
Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!
trollhattan
Frist!
In case the numbers do not come across as gibberish, sports book on Sweden advancing is +135 US -170.
Am very jittery about US surviving round of 16 because they’re not playing as a team; haven’t since the Vietnam match (just one goal since). Sweden had more trouble against Argentina than they should have, but crushed Italy, bested RSA and surrendered just one goal in total. Also, a deeper bench and can tactically field against us while we seem stuck with a much shallower starting rotation.
IOW Vlatko is costing me mucho sleep.
LFG!
HumboldtBlue
Great match to kick off the night with Spain v Switzerland. Can Spain bring that beautiful ball control, passing and speed to overcome Holy Cheeses?
Then we get a truly tasty matchup between Japan and Norway, a match I expect Japan to win.
See youse in two hours!
Ishiyama
Of course, I’m hoping for the best for Team Nadeshiko; but nothing is certain in life.
HumboldtBlue
OK, this is gonna be fun. Spain has to rebound from that beating Japan gave them, and the Swiss have to find a way to score.
HumboldtBlue
And Spain break the ice with some solid pressure and a great finish!
HumboldtBlue
Well, that is not the way to play the game, Ladies of Spain, that is not the way.
HumboldtBlue
The Holy Cheeses are in trouble unless they can get something from their counterattack.
Anyway
Spain’s looking great !! Switzerland look out if it.
HumboldtBlue
That’ll do it, 3-1 35 minutes in and Spain has scored all four goals.
HumboldtBlue
Japan’s national anthem is very hymnal.
Norway’s too, for that matter.
Ishiyama
And Japan scores!
Ishiyama
Now it’s 3-1 for Japan!
Ishiyama
Setting up a possible Japan – USA quarter-final.
JML
This Spain-Swiss match is bonkers.
HumboldtBlue
The Dutch v the Banyana Banyana. The Dutch are gonna be favored, so let’s see what the South Africans can do to break them down.
HumboldtBlue
What a save by the SA goalie! That was fantastic and a great effort from the Dutch.
And the Dutch manage to get the second ball off a corner and head it in for a goal.
1-0 Oranjeboom!
And SSA with an excellent counter, saved by the Dutch goalie.
HumboldtBlue
From the BBC:
That’s a lot of caps and a helluva lot of experience for the Dutch.
HumboldtBlue
Great chance for South Africa!
They can counter, that’s for sure, they need to be far more sure with the ball in defense, however.
And Swart with another good save for SA!
Oh, no! SA defender turned her ankle badly, they’ve already had one key player subbed off, and it looks like another sub for this injury.
HumboldtBlue
SA forces a turnover in the midfield and get their best chance on goal by far. But good goalkeeping snuffs the attack. Gotta give SA credit, two bad injuries to two top players, and they are going toe-to-toe with the Dutch. Helluva display.
Wow! Such an entertaining match. SA with two excellent counters to force two great saves from the Oranje. The Dutch seriously want that halftime whistle to blow.
HumboldtBlue
From the BBC:
HumboldtBlue
The Dutch cruise through with a 2-0 win, but it was far from comfortable, particularly late in the first half when SA’s speed and counter gave them fits. But the Dutch saw the game out as SA ran out of steam. A damn fine showing by the Banyana Banyana.
MobiusKlein
So I’m camping in the east slope of the Sierra Nevadas, setting an alarm to wake at 2 am to watch with wife and daughter.
The tricky part is making sure our phones don’t run out of power. Are we nuts?
HumboldtBlue
@MobiusKlein:
Yes, you are.
However, I will begin cooking chicken and chorizo at midnight, and I haven’t decided if I’m gonna cook rice or pasta to go with it. I have a ton of fresh broccoli, so that’ll get steamed and eaten lustily, and then I’ll sit down for the match.
Has the potential to be one helluva of a contest.
HumboldtBlue
Anybody else around?
MobiusKlein
@HumboldtBlue: let me check my battery level
Baud
Go USA! 🇺🇲⚽🇺🇲⚽🇺🇲⚽
eclare
I’m here! Along with my cat, kneading me with claws.
HumboldtBlue
Cagey start, Sweden waiting for the US to push, they want a counter with a free kick or a corner at the end.
@eclare:
Salad decided the chair that is always pulled up to my free hand, so I can pet him freely is not good enough and has taken up a post on my desk, where my mouse hand happens to rest.
eclare
@HumboldtBlue:
Fuck. Great attempt.
I love your cat’s name
And now the dog is up.
eclare
Damn.
HumboldtBlue
Good action. US with a great attack and Sweden with an excellent counter.
HumboldtBlue
Off the crossbar!
Great attack USA
eclare
@HumboldtBlue:
They look good tonight.
Anyway
US looking much better today —
HumboldtBlue
Tough first half, the US dictated play and yet no goals. Can’t let Sweden steal one, the US has the measure in pace and passing.
eclare
Wow. Two
Holy shit. That’s it.
HumboldtBlue
OK, second half.
eclare
This is going to OT. Hate that.
Baud
Sweden goalie is MVP.
eclare
Fuck
HumboldtBlue
Great save Sweden!
USA in control but goddamn they need a goal.
The Swedish goalkeeper has impressive eyebrows.
Anyway
Oh c’ mon!!!!
HumboldtBlue
Fox has been excellent from that right fullback spot.
Great goalkeeping!
Mike E
C’mon Lynn Williams! Break down that back line, you’re too quick for Sweden. Come to think of it, put Thompson in as well
Mike E
@HumboldtBlue: Crystal Dunn is playing her a$$ off
HumboldtBlue
@Mike E:
Williams has been fantastic.
@Mike E:
Yeah she is.
Baud
Whew.
Baud
Damn.
HumboldtBlue
What a fucking save Eyebrows!
Baud
Overtime!
ETA: The tackling reminds me of American football.
eclare
As I said at #38, OT.
Baud
@eclare:
Any insight in the next lottery numbers?
eclare
@Baud:
Hahaha….I wish!
raven
Fuckin up my dog park schedule!
HumboldtBlue
@raven:
Fucking nerve-wracking
eclare
What?
eclare
Fuck!
HumboldtBlue
Another fucking save. The US has controlled this match and Sweden has been chasing all match, goddamn we need a goal.
Mike E
That’s some Fox Sports level analysis right there! ;-)
HumboldtBlue
@Mike E:
I went to the Alexi Lalas school of ridiculous nonsense and commentating.
eclare
This will come down to PK’s.
Baud
C’mon, man.
Baud
@eclare:
The Devil’s Tiebreaker.
Baud
Goddamn.
HumboldtBlue
I fucking hate penalty shootouts.
eclare
Fuck. Sweden has a great gk.
Baud
Which fans love penalty kicks?
eclare
What is with the birds?
eclare
Yes!!
raven
@HumboldtBlue: Yea, Artie is getting buggy!
Mike E
Welp Sweden played it smart…USWNT aren’t as dangerous up front and going forward, if they prevail here, need a lot of breaks to go their way to get past sides who are clicking on all cylinders
Baud
👍
Baud
Ugh.
eclare
Wow. Big miss.
Baud
👍👍
Mike E
Naeher!!!
Baud
C’mon. This is ridiculous.
Baud
Holy crap.
eclare
Wow!
eclare
That is sad.
David 🌈 ☘The Establishment☘🌈 Koch
VAR is the player of the match
Anyway
Oh bummer
Baud
The US has hasn’t looked good all tournament, so I was pessimistic about them winning the whole thing anyway.
Mike E
Lalas with the whining, at least Carli cited Naeher’s stellar performance… the rest of the world have upped their level of play while the USWNT is in a transition phase, no shame
Ishiyama
Well, it is up to Nadeshiko Japan to carry my hopes & dreams.
Mike E
@Ishiyama: They are poised to make a deep run… I’d like to see a first time winner, like Netherlands, but Japan getting a 2nd star would be fitting
Alison Rose
Sigh :(
trollhattan
Well fuque (just watched replay). Sweden keeper POTM (most keepers let in at least three of those shots in) but won’t ignore that the game was ours until we loosened our fingers around their collective throats. My WWC postmortem:-Vlatko’s 23 were not the US’s best and ultimately our undoing. This is on him and I expect his time as coach is over.
-Last WWC for Naher, O’Hara, Pinoe, probably Morgan. Blessings and thanks to you monsters of the pitch.
Top USWNT player award goes to Captain Horan.
WWC rookie achievement awards to Girma, Fox and especially Smith. Smith and Horan have [checks notes] 100% of US goals. DeMelo did well with her minutes and surely will be a fixture going forward.
WWC rookie vanishing in the field of play awards for Rodman and Williams. You simply needed to do more. Logging kilometers will please your track coach.
WWC rookie INCs for Huerta, Sanchez, Thompson. Not sure what Vlatko had in mind for you, but his rotation was far to tight for you to get a shot.
Rose, Rose, Rose, that second yellow hurt today. I know you were dying there on the bench. We still remember your goal against Netherlands four years ago, though.
A defense that surrenders one goal over 390 minutes is foundational, and usually a launchpad for great success. Our disconnected strikers, lack of cohesive buildup and press, especially an effective high press, betrayed the great work in back. This was a very un-US squad and we need a top to bottom overhaul before the Olympics.
LFG
JML
@trollhattan: tough to have the USWNT lose when playing their best game of the Cup.
I have a little trouble saying Lavelle was missed out there because I’m not sure she and Horan can play next to each other in the midfield, and our midfield was playing its best today with Sonnett slotting in as a holding midfielder (seriously, I’m exhausted with all the commentators who discovered the term “double pivot” this week) and playing a 4-2-3-1 rather than a 4-3-3.
Sophia Smith had a learner of a Cup. She’s fantastically talented, but definitely struggled with the way she was defended and never formed much of a partnership with Morgan up top. She was clinical against Vietnam, but drifted in centrally too often against everyone else and dribbled into trouble rather than turn away from it. I have no doubt she’ll be back and be better next time.
Rodman was one of my heroes in this Cup; she provided the width and drive to the touchline we needed. And she got beaten on by the Swedes today, but still gave us a heck of a shift out there.
Girma gets my rookie of the Cup award: she played so well, gaining confidence with every game and made so many good decisions back there it was like watching Becky Sauerbrunn. The back line is in good hands.
trollhattan
@JML: Smith is a natural 9 and it’s understandable why she’ll work towards the center, while Morgan and her magic left foot can play 11, but playing her there you in part take away her aerial game, and today she had headers on target.
Rodman is far less effective when Sanchez isn’t on the field with her and that’s how this tournament worked out. After her gaudy rookie NWSL season and championship, defenses have unlocked her so she’s rejiggering her game as a necessary result.
As to why Thompson, IDK. She was never going to start and we left some proven players back who might have taken that slot. Again, that’s on Vlatko.
Evidently Ertz is retiring from the USWNT, which is a shame. She was playing her way back from giving birth, and has been a physical presence our rather diminutive team really needed.
Wonder if the sports books are taking bets on next USWNT coach?
David 🌈 ☘The Establishment☘🌈 Koch
@trollhattan:
After all these years they finally let Sonnett play and it turns out she’s good. Far better than Dahlkemper and Tierna. And as good as Becky is on defense, she doesnt go forward or contribute on corners like Sonnett. Also too, she had natural chemistry with Horan stemming from their years together in Portland.
JML
@trollhattan: Horan brought plenty of physicality in this Cup, I thought?
I love Ertz as a player, but I’d rather she retired from international play definitively like this rather than hang around too long.
I do wonder if Mallory Swanson would have made a difference?
Smith has a great future, but she can’t do the same kind of hold-up play that Morgan does (and you’re correct on Morgan’s ability in the air as well) yet. I don’t mind Thompson getting a taste now; she’s going to be something, i think, and getting some experience on what a World Cup is like (and maybe feeling the sting of an early exit) might be good for her development.
trollhattan
@David 🌈 ☘The Establishment☘🌈 Koch: Sonny’s a favorite, going back to her Thorns days. She’s worked the derps out of her game and now plays smart while still being fast and physical. Plus she’s a vocal leader.
Cook might yet get there but has not worked the derps out.
trollhattan
@JML: Absolutely Lindsey is physical, but going back to the Olympics with Julie gone she was playing the Ertz spot, pivoting her to defence and preventing her from playing box-to-box, which is her forte. This tournament had her again playing the ideal role.
She was the first NWSL MVP who did not also win the golden boot.
trollhattan
Two maybe important bits of player news:
Kiera Walsh practicing with the Lionesses
Sam Kerr practicing with the Matildas
Each team is significantly better should the two be able to suit up, perhaps even start. Australia with Kerr scares everybody.
JML
@trollhattan: Right now my bet for the Final is Japan v England, but if this Cup has shown anything it’s that everyone has a shot. Australia with Kerr goes from being dangerous to scary to be sure.
I’m really appalled at the toxic BS coming at the USWNT right now. It’s mostly flying from right-wing douches who have problems with: women, the gays, sports figures who have opinions about things other than their sports, women, and anyone who doesn’t subscribe to their blinkered jingoistic misogynist bigoted right wing viewpoint. But it’s ugly AF.
Barney
No sooner have England been declared the new competition favourites, with Keira Walsh back in the starting lineup, than they turn in a subpar first half against Nigeria – who are unlucky not to be ahead, hitting the crossbar (and have just done so again at the start of the 2nd). Nigeria have defended excellently, and break well. An England penalty for a push was overturned by VAR, deeming to be acceptable contact.
Anyway
@Ishiyama:
I’m excited about the (potential) Spain v Japan semi
JML
@Anyway: That would be a great semi. On the other side of the bracket, it would be great to see either England v Australia, or England v France.
Some great potential matches out there, and I’m fairly certain at least one of the favorites is going to crash out unexpectedly.
Mike E
@Barney: Colombia proved themselves tough vs Jamaica and will present a challenge to England. This has the potential to be a good tilt.
JML
France pretty much having their way with Morocco today. Interesting French team this Cup; when they’re on they look pretty phenomenal, but they can also lay an egg.
HumboldtBlue
Japan v Sweden.
This is gonna be good,