Football⚽️

I do love the innovative new Referee Cramp Break, well done to FIFA.

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And FIFA have plenty more up their sleeves, including Player Cramp Break, Tactical Timeout, and one more I’m not allowed to say on MediaSpy.

At the end of the day, yes, we sucked on the field, but at least our elected leaders are not sex offenders. :laughing: Gotta look on the bright side of life.

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And the first goal was an unlucky own goal.

The next game against Paraguay is now a must-win for Australia. Pending results from the other groups, a loss could see the Socceroos eliminated, even a draw against Paraguay may not be enough to advance to the knockouts. The Socceroos currently have a goal difference of zero.

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I mean, given that Türkiye and Paraguay are yet to play and there is the expanded knockouts, a loss is no guarantee of anything.

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In the second match of the day, Morocco edged out Scotland 1-0 in Boston, with Ismael Saibari scoring the fastest goal of the tournament so far after 69 seconds.

In the third match, Brazil easily beat Haiti 3-0 in Philadelphia, with all three goals scored in the first half.

In the fourth match, Paraguay defeated Turkey 1-0 thanks to Matias Galarza’s goal in the second minute. Paraguay are now third in group D table, behind Australia in goal difference.

Was wondering when I’d see this meme sooner or later after today’s match


Credit to talking_parra_podcast on Instagram

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That sees Türkiye eliminated from the tournament. It also means a draw against Paraguay would see us qualify second from the group. In all likelihood, a small loss (1-2 goals) would still see us qualify as a best-placed third team, dependent on other results.

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Oh I think you put an M in there by mistake!

That too. But the one I really wanted to put in there, I can’t. Trust me. :wink:

Mind you, the whole idea of the “drinks break” is a joke. Only to serve the US broadcasters.

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It’s not going anywhere either, way too lucrative. Watch it start to appear now in other levels of football as well

In Saturday’s action, Germany came from a goal down to beat Cote D’Ivoire 2-1 in Toronto, with Deniz Undav scoring both German goals. Later, Netherlands trounced Sweden 5-1, with Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo scoring two goals each.

In group F, Curacao earned their first point of the World Cup following a scoreless draw with Ecuador in Kansas City. The match featured three Chinese referees for the very first time at this World Cup.

Later, Japan had their first win of the tournament with a 4-0 trouncing of Tunisia at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico. It was the 1000th World Cup match.

I know. They’ll try and make it part of “player welfare” reform but most already know what it’s for.

If they were really looking after players, the amount of games per season they’d be playing would be reduced, amongst other things.

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Spain 4 - Saudi Arabia 0.

Belgium 0 - Iran 0; the goal difference for all teams still remain tied at 0 in Group G. NZ v Egypt later on today.

Cabo Verde scored in the first time at this World Cup and earned another point in a 2-2 draw with Uruguay.

UPDATE

In the final game, New Zealand scored an early goal against Egypt, but conceded three late goals in the second half to lose the match.

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Looks like the draw for the round of 32 for the Australia Cup has been released, every state and territory represented with matchups ranging in distance from just driving up the M1 to crossing the Australian Continent.

Lionel Messi backed up from his hat trick in the previous game, by scoring both goals in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria. He is now the top scorer in World Cup history with 18 goals.

UPDATE 8.45am AEST

The second half of France v Iraq at Philadelphia has been delayed due to thunderstorm and heavy rain in the local area. France leads 1-0 at half time. I think this is the first time in a while that a World Cup game has been affected by adverse weather.

UPDATE 10.57am AEST

France defeated Iraq 3-0, with Mbappe (in his 100th game for his country) scoring a goal either side of half time. Dembele added a third in the 66th minute.

UPDATE 12.33pm AEST

Norway have advanced from the World Cup group stage for the first time since 1998 with a 3-2 victory over Senegal. Erling Haaland scored a double early in the second half.

UPDATE 4.00pm AEST

Algeria came from 1-0 down at half time to beat Jordan 2-1, eliminating the Middle East nation from the World Cup.

UEFA will not implement mandatory hydration breaks at Euro 2028 which is being hosted in the UK and Ireland. It follows backlash from players, coaches and supporters over FIFA’s continued use of them at the World Cup in North America.

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The chances of progressing as a third-place finisher with three points and a -1 goal difference is around 90 per cent, which will be the case for the Socceroos if they lose 1-0 to Paraguay. With both teams on three points, the Australia v Paraguay game would normally be an elimination clash with the winner progressing and the loser sent home.

But this year it’s largely meaningless because both teams have a high chance to progress no matter the result. The Socceroos are currently being given a 94 per cent chance to advance, while it’s 89 per cent for Paraguay. And there’s also no clear advantage in terms of the next opponent, with Belgium (World No.10) likely awaiting the winner and Germany the loser (No.8).


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Cristiano Ronaldo is on the board at this World Cup, scoring two goals in the first half, as Portugal thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0 in Houston.

Later, England were held to a 0-0 draw by Ghana in Boston.

France manager Didier Deschamps will miss his team’s final group game against Norway, after the death of his mother.