World Cup 2026

[TheRam]

Spain have defended brilliant. A masterclass in playing high.

France are completely rattled.

[Bluedylan1]

France could still come back and win this with their individuals, but Spain are their kryptonite. Amazing at ball retention, and work much harder on and off the ball.

[Cereal Killer]

You can't cancel a free kick can you?

Yeah VAR just doing whatever they want now

[blueToffee]

Hes not allowed to just boot him because hes not aware what's around him. Not sure how that cant be a foul.

I get it, I just think Yamal absolutely plays for it too the way he went into it.

I'm leaning to the opinion though that not all fouls in the box should lead to such huge rewards like a penalty when it's not a goal scoring chance. If that was a free kick, I think that'd be more proportional to the situation.

[Cereal Killer]

French forwards doing very little work without the ball.

Seem to have very little interest in defending or tackling, don’t mind a pointless shove on a Spanish player though

[Bluedylan1]

Seem to have very little interest in defending or tackling, don’t mind a pointless shove on a Spanish player though

It's because Dembele, Mbappe and Olise are all starboys at their clubs, and they basically aren't required to work without the ball. They have minions for that.

Whereas the Spanish are like one organism.

[Mouse]

I can’t believe how poor the French have been. It’s not just the work off the ball but the amount of missed passes when they have the ball. Amateurish at the moment.

[AjaxAndy]

Spain showing just how good they really are, especially against the better / best teams.

Going to be a very interesting second half, not sure I'm really rooting for one over the other, as if we get to the final they're both going to be a nightmare to play against.

[Shogun]

Digne getting the runaround too, although tbf he's basically being left 1 on 1 with Yamal

[Stumpy]

I'm starting to dislike these types of penalties more and more, almost as bad as the silly handball ones when the defender is punished for having an arm. Just feels like we've seen a few of them where the attacker knows what they're doing and being rewarded for getting contact with a penalty when there really isn't a goal scoring chance.

Sorry that's just piss poor off Digne.
A complete lack of awareness and control.
He's booted him at a fair force in the box it can be nothing other than a penalty

[cassius]

Mark Pougatch always comes across like he's in the middle of a messy divorce

[Lazarou II]

Digne getting the runaround too, although tbf he's basically being left 1 on 1 with Yamal

You'd think you would double up on him as most teams have against Spain.

[777Kidnappings]

I get it, I just think Yamal absolutely plays for it too the way he went into it.

I'm leaning to the opinion though that not all fouls in the box should lead to such huge rewards like a penalty when it's not a goal scoring chance. If that was a free kick, I think that'd be more proportional to the situation.

I agree with maybe aome fouls should be free kicks rather than penalties but not this 1 even then. He boots him and quite high up. The 1s where they end up nipping in front and having their foot kicked more so. Mainly though handballs from crosses should probably not be pens

Spain are a real quality team. Probably the best in the competition though not the best individuals. They are drowning france first half by keeping the ball

[Cereal Killer]

Mark Pougatch always comes across like he's in the middle of a messy divorce

At least he’s got the enthusiasm and positivity of Lee Dixon to pick him up

[Bluedylan1]

Rodri's giving an absolute masterclass here. Prime Rodri.