FIFA World Cup

A few goal scoring records to look out for. Messi and Mbappe are only a couple of goals short of overhauling Miroslav Klose's record for most goals in world cups over a career.

Mbappe and Haaland are both off to a fliers with a braces and if they can go deep in the tournament might be worth watching for Just Fontaine's single tournament record of 13 goals. That only took 6 matches (!!!), the maximum available here is (I think) 8.

Muller (14 goals, 13 matches), Ronaldo (15 goals, 19 matches, 3 tournaments) and Klose (16 goals, 24 matches, 4 tournaments) have all acknowledged Fontaine's achievement as the greatest world cup goal scorer, so breaking that record would be something pretty special.

Good read on Just

I didn't realise Belgium's coach Rudi Garcia was soaked by the sprinkler duing a hydration break - I just thought he was an exceptionally sweaty man

Messi hat trick goated

Draws level with Klose. Most appearances, most goals (surely!) and hey, hatrick to start so only 11 more goals for the single tournament record too.

Great comeback by Messi - Mbappe moved kloser to Klose but Messi moved level

Is this just a BBC thing or have FIFA listened?

VAR graphic

Great result for Doctor Congo

Belter
Longtime coming
England fucking about

Kane with his second

This half has had it all

Harry Kane saying I can score goals too. I think that puts him into the top 10 all time in world cups, level with Lineker for the England record.

England leading Croatia 3-2.

Kevin Keegan-style playground football.

Incredible 15 mins from England.

Only equaled by the Croatian keeper

Just feels like Croatia are going to get a sweaty last-minute goal to draw this.

England won 4-2.

England looked excellent going forwards, but not so clever at the back.

Refreshing to see them attack

Really enjoyed that

Very good summary

Not invested in this soccer world cup in the slightest. I might tune in though if England actually reach the final (yeah right). So I've not been following it at all really but I saw a headline today about a guy getting red carded for covering his mouth. This rule presumably to stamp out the hiding of racist language. Seems a bit draconian to me but the rules are the rules. However the thing that shits me and this is probably the main part of my not following soccer anymore is that the guy that was spoken to told the ref.

I mean. Whining to the ref just to get an opponent sent off. FFS where is your dignity?

I wasn't invested at all but watched every match - most as highlights but at least one live match per day.

Been pleasantly surprised. Some cracking matches and goals.

Commentary for the most part banal. Females squawking like seagulls. Painful.

I know there's be some thrashings, but so far the expanded tournament actually feels like it's working. I guess the real test will be the round of 32 - there will be 8 third place finishers in there and some of them will pretty bad so that round might be where the tournament drags. But so far the likes of Cape Verde, Curacao and us feel like they're adding to the festival rather than dragging things out. Definitely helps to have 4 games a day so we're racing through the group stage.

Ecuador v Curaçao

Best scoreless draw I’ve ever seen

Game of the tournament so far

On another day it could have been the highest scoring World Cup match ever

I'm not into soccer/football?? at all, I tend to find it boring compared to union and the totally unecessary dramatic displays and argueing with/pushing up on ref's are a turn off. But I love a comp, especially one where teams are representing their countries. And the fans look to be having a great time.

So far the split of games hosted across three countries has been great, at least from where I'm watching i.e. my couch. The number of teams competing is excellent. Have found the commentating good.

Belgium and Iran draw 0-0. If the All Whites can beat Egypt, they will top their group with one game to go.

There’s a scenario where NZ play Australia in the last 32.
Obviously I’m getting way ahead of myself.
But getting way ahead of yourself is a big part of any World Cup.

Is NZ playing today

@canefan said in FIFA World Cup:

Is NZ playing today

1pm kick off against Egypt. Win and we are pretty certain to qualify, draw and everything goes to the final day with nothing decided. Lose and we'll need to beat Belgium on the final day.

@KiwiPie said in FIFA World Cup:

@canefan said in FIFA World Cup:

Is NZ playing today

1pm kick off against Egypt. Win and we are pretty certain to qualify, draw and everything goes to the final day with nothing decided. Lose and we'll need to beat Belgium on the final day.

Amazing to even be discussing possible advancement. Hopefully the boys leave it all out on the pitch, and aren't hosed by poor reffing calls

Neat factoid: NZ played Egypt in the 2012 Olympics, ending in a 1-1 draw. Goal scorers: Chris Wood and Mo Salah.

Both teams searching for their first win at a WC.

GOAL!

Great header from Surman

"slice of heaven" playing after the goal is chefs kiss

once again, even if they dont kick on, they rocked up showing they want to play so respect

Good to hear the boos for the hydration ad breaks.

seriously even scoring against Egypt is unreal.. cmon boys

I don't understand why they don't stamp out the faking of injuries in soccer. They have crystal clear replays that show no chance of injury. It's so off-putting to watch.