We get the occasional stray from France or Germany around here and we're just  glad it's not another Ukrainian

Modric controls the speed of the game. 

Fucking so stupid this saying, yeah cos like they wait for open players before passing yep, yep  can see how that is massively controlling the speed of the game

How quick did Dembele get replaced by Mbappe. 

Like I was saying, he's nothing special. 

Haven't you heard?

Diversity= good.

Caring about national security and the effects undocumented immigration have on the safety of your cities and towns= racist far-right wing fear mongering and you're a Nazi who should just fuck off and DIE!

As long as you have a great national football team who win World Cups, your entire nation is automatically a better place to live as a whole and that should be the #1 priority for every country out there.

Just ask Brazil...

All the players on the podium can't get away from Putin fast enough then hang on for a full minute with the expert hugger Kolinda

And once again, one of our opponents has finished at least 3rd. In every world cup we have played in we have played one of the top 3 teams from that tournament. Even more interestingly, another one of our opponents (Denmark) drew against the top two teams from this tournament. Our other opponents (Peru) actually beat Croatia in a friendly earlier this year too. Our group was much harder than it looked. 

The idea that sport will solve complex social issues is just ridiculous. If it were true surely Brazil would be tracking much better by now ? 

Turns out the pitch invaders were Pussy Riot

Fuck, here we go......................

We still do a shit job of competing. Guus did nothing miraculous really, he just didn't do anything stupid.

Als, I still think having quality players win you a game over luck or chance.

And just kicking a fucking ball around a park won't accomplish shit.

Very true though it's the type of immigrant that's been detrimental to western society. Still a minority though high damage with their terrible acts. 

Foster talking shit

Diversity is a Deliberately ambiguous term, Australias diversity is mostly Europeans 

Ummm politics will be helped by sport

Lucy, YOUVE Done a wonderful job OHHH so much hard work over these days.

OHH LES USED to say he felt like killing himself too! He used to cry all the time like on TV n shit. 

So here's the batten I'm handing it over to you. and here's a box of tissues for the start of the A-League season

Ah, yes those 5 world cups really helped Brazil socioeconomically

Shattered we lost 
Proud of Croatia 
Congratulations to France 
Best Final in a long time!!!

Thought Croatia played really well, I’d say even better than the semi. France are interesting winners felt like they played within themselves all tournament, just stepped it up in key moments when they had to.

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.

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!)

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

Pretty much summed up the tournament perfectly. 

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

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

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

@WSF

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

Bruh.

-PB

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.

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??)

The same thing was said about Germany 2014. 

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

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.