They were undoubtedly great but others were at best so-so. I remember being open mouthed at how bad Brazil had become in just 4 years. Germany were Germany; functional and ultimately successful but outside of Paul Breitner's 'Hair Bear' barnet, completely unmemorable. After the sheer joy of Mexico '70, it was a big shock as to how bad football could be.
Similar can be said for Euro '96 which is lauded as a great tournament, but it really wasn't: half-empty stadiums for matches not involving England, Scotland or Italy (two of whom went out in the first round), a German team lacking in quality (other than Sammer) winning the tournament more because everyone else conspired not to than anything they did, a Dutch team more interested with bickering and infighting than playing football, The FA getting raided by the police due to some dodgy ticket-selling schemes, some seriously poor refereeing decisions (Spain having a goal wrongly disallowed against England in the quarter final being the most obvious), and it says a lot that the thing most people remember about the tournament has nothing to do with the football on display but a song that is recognised for just how dismal David Baddiel's vocals are.
"One pub in Rio gave out free shots each time the forward hit the floor against Serbia on 27 June." In other news, the same pub filed for bankruptcy and 25 of its patrons were treated for alcohol poisoning.
Never one to be afraid (or ignorant more likely) of digging himself a hole and then getting buried, Piers ****er Moron is at it again. So keen to praise the new global wondered Mbappe for donating his WC fee to charity, it's pointed out to him by Lineker & Neville that England players have been doing this for more than a decade!! I wonder how much of his own fees for appearing on WC-related programs the little twat will be donating? Somehow the abbreviation 'WC' seems so much more appropriate when mentioning Moron......
It was a nailed-on penalty if he hadn't back heeled it into the net. I wonder where Leicester would have finished in their title winning season had VAR been implemented then?
It was also clearly trying to deny a goalscoring opportunity as Ramos was virtually on the goal line. Defender not booked though.....
Really stupid from Pique. He'd probably expect to get the benefit of the doubt normally, but VAR screwed him.
Blimey, this game's died a death. Spain really are looking a lot like Germany. There's a lot of possession and........Zzzzzzzzzzz.
If Russia do beat Spain, it would leave Russia, Croatia, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden and Colombia between England and a place in the final. Far from easy opponents, but nothing to be scared of. Spain don't look brilliant either.
Will piss myself laughing if Spain go out on pens after not getting a decision in extra time. Probably was a foul or two, but Ramos has got away with worse for 10 years!
