it would be interesting to see.  i wonder which country is harsher on dissidents? 

It's amazing that Pussy Riot got through security. Would have thought they were on a watch list.

Some selective out-of-context quoting going on.  This is the full sentence.  Perhaps the WC final was not the best place for the protest, then again maybe it was if you’re talking about maximum impact.

No doubt they will be doing the same in Qatar.

Apart from the fact it derailed Croatia a bit, Lovren on pitch invaders: "I really was mad because we'd been playing at that moment in good shape. We'd been playing good football and then some interruption came. I just lost my head and I grabbed the guy and I wished I could throw him away from the stadium."

i think the WC is the best place to protest.  people just have to pretend that russia isn't completely fucked while the world is watching??  

did having to notice their suffering upset someone's comfy little night time viewing? 

Was about to call that one out. The articles in NEWS were accompanied with the scenes of celebration in central Paris, trying to make the lazy readers who don't bother with the article think that they must have caught a fist or a flare from some fan. No, some guy jumped in a river and another guy crashed his car. They truly were doing what we demand of them - enjoying the win :)

A 50-year-old France fan is believed to have died after breaking his neck jumping into a canal in the Alpine town of Annecy at the end of the team's 4-2 triumph over Croatia in Moscow on Sunday, according to the Mirror.

Another man in his 30s also died, when he crashed his car into a tree in Sant-Felix when reportedly celebrating the win, reports said.

Well not exactly the violence deaths headlines say.

2 killed in post match France violence/celebrations. Ffs just enjoy it. 

Words which, thanks to the bullies on social media, no longer have any meaning whatsoever

This is far more complex than a simple idea of being anti Russian government. The basis of the propaganda the soviet republics put up with for generations was that of sides - us v them, East v West, when the silent majority didn't want a bar of it. To put it as simply as possible; outside the propaganda there was no such damned thing as sides. But as a lowly citizen, just sitting there and knowing it makes no difference when your government is constantly telling you there are. And so, for many of us, Pussy Riot is bad news. Because certain political figures like using their antagonism to illustrate that sides are at play and they are somehow  relevant. In CR our president Milos Zeman loves using their protests as evidence that "anti Russian government" sentiment is immature and provocative, and that therefore the "old" ways were better. They achieve the complete opposite of what they are attempting to do. Their antagonism stokes anti-anti Russian government sentiment a hell of a lot more than anti-Russian government sentiment. And that's why, no matter how much I empathise with their position, I can't support them.

To use a basic example involving our pro Russian, "ex" communist president Milos Zeman, he did a radio interview recently and blatantly manipulated the audience over a simple thing of what the band was named. Between English and Czech, the word "pussy" has no translation. So, he went on this 10 minute rant saying the band is called "kunda" - a word which is unambiguously derogatory, unambiguously rude, and certainly not a correct translation nor even a half honest attempt at one. Everything that pussyriot does is interepreted through that lens - that they are named a word that you're not allowed to say in any social context, and they are therefore shit stirrers and antagonisers who prove why old school soviet order was better. Oh, you think liberal media, free elections, rule of law and human rights are a good thing? I suppose you're one of those ones that yell kunda at everyone too!

Croatia have played solid football for years now , with a roundabout that same squad.

They've been building up to this outstanding performance.  Credit to them

Three extra time finals might just have taken its toll. Brain fade by Purisic , lapses in concentration for the last 2 goals.

Sport is sport, it helps people become fit and develop healthier thinking about life.

It by no means helps politicians. 

Because I can agree with the principle of 'universal health care' and still get the shits when people say John McEnroe should apologise for saying men are better tennis players than women.

I'm a 'lefty' but that doesn't mean extreme left wing nut jobs don't piss me off.

Just like I can't stand right wing nutjobs.

Really? How can you hold 'socialist tendencies' and still agree with anything he says? The dude is an unashamed far right wing extremist. I think he even hates Sweden because they have a strong welfare system! Some of the shit he spouts is just disgusting. 

And by the way.  Congratulations to France.  Their football was awful to watch but effective and it’s them celebrating instead of the plucky Croatians.  If justice was served based on chances, opportunity and possession then Croatia would be standing as champions today.
 
But they’re not and that’s a shame. 

I’ve really enjoyed Croatia’s run, their proactive attacking football and their never say die attitude.  (Something apparently only Australians possess.)  They’ve been terrific.

I understand you’re anti-SJW and a libertarian and all that, and I often find myself agreeing with your views despite my socialist tendencies, but surely you can see that Pussy Riot do have a point? 

Without getting into ‘whatboutism’ the facts are Putin and his goons lock up, obstruct, construct barriers and assassinate political opposition on a regular basis. 

Perhaps the WC final was not the best place for the protest, then again maybe it was if you’re talking about maximum impact.

I can’t help but feel that your ‘disdain’ and contempt for the protest is partly due to the fact that this was orchestrated by women.  You seem to have a particular bee in your bonnet about them.  (Reading between the lines of your posting history.)

Australia and in fact 99% of Western democracies, despite all of their faults, would never lock up anyone for peaceably protesting the government of the day the way Russia does.

Yep, with a fit and half decent keeper there is a real chance that 3 of the 4 goals would have been stopped, with only the penalty being scored.

why did subasic play he was clearly struggling.. cant jump or dive

The same thing was said about Germany 2014. 

Scary thing though is the age of this France side ... I'd say the 98 France side had many players at their peak (or thereabouts, and was in France). Only 5 players in this squad over 30 (Lloris is the biggest name). Most this squad will be hitting their peak next World Cup ... and then there are the players who didn't make this squad (Digne, Coman, Martial in their early 20s ... not to mention players like Mendy, Tolisso, Lemar, Dembele got hardly any game time either). I feel bad for Koscielny, a solid player for France with over 50 caps and his last chance at World Cup, and definitely in the squad if not for injury.

The France 2022 side should be stronger than this side ... (and as others have said France played within themselves ... so where can this team go from here??)

Exactly.

And lol at Pussy Riot getting busted. They've got a track record of pulling stunts like this. Hope it's the last time we hear of them.

Bruh.

-PB

@WSF

No doubt, but when compared to ‘98 France, this team pales in comparison.

Winning is all that matters, just shows how good France is when they can win by playing within themselves. 

Clearly Croatia just didn't have the belief and did not play with enough bravery. 

Pretty much summed up the tournament perfectly. 

It was a strange tournament. France won it by playing within themselves. 

Modric also well deserved the player of the tournament, Hazard was also excellent too.

Best goal would have to be Pavard or Cherysov? From Russia against Croatia

Biggest surprise? Croatia of course

Biggest disappointment? Germany and Neymar’s diving antics

Best game? Belgium vs Japan or France vs Argentina

Best from a Socceroo perspective? Arzani’s impact off the bench and Sainsbury against France where he was terrific

A Bizarre game, Croatia dominated the first half and first part of the 2nd half but France scored 3 goals from about 3 shots with an own goal which could have been offside if a French player touched it and a penalty which was dodgy given VAR took too long to decide.

But anyway that’s football, it was entertaining to watch compared to previous finals.

Croatia should hold there head up high they played a brilliant tournament just to get to the final with some nice football to boot and France whom weren’t at there best but with the tactical and pragmatic approach from Deschamps got the best out of this talented team and made them world champions is a credit to the coach, it wasn’t pretty but it was effective.

Clearly he deliberately set out a team that wanted to play to his tactical strengths and not the best team/or talented team which he could have done and knew he had enough talent to execute it to a highest degree with a ounce of a luck of course.

But well done to France, 2nd world title now.

I felt Russia was quite entertaining just how it was in Brazil in 2014 they have been great world cups to watch but I do fear the fun won’t continue to Qatar and the 48 team marathon in 2026 (hope I’m wrong of course!)

Certainly in the first half, Croatia was outright the better team. I think possession went over 60% in their favour and the only shot on goal from France was the penalty. In the second half they slipped, and when they conceded they fell apart. France the deserved winner but Croatia will be kicking themselves for how they slipped.