Netherlands seal it with the last kick of the game. Don't know if Mendy needed to do better there given his world class status. 

A fairly calculated game by both teams. Senegal will be annoyed at the avoidable goals. Minimal things got the Netherlands in tonight.

Senegal have Qatar next where they'll have to turn it on. 

Proper turnout for USA and Wales. Both anthems sung well. 

US are all over Wales 

1:0 USA. Wales with nothing up front so far.

Wales aren't even in this game.

Saudi Arabia is much, much worse. Qatar is actually one of the milder Middle East states. 

German TV hammering everything Qatar then they cut to a happy wonderful Saudi tourism ad. You can't make this up.

Are Wales about to go Kaiserslautern mode?

Silly tackle by USA there. 

This is all too predictable. Even in this one, a draw seemed the most likely result. There will have to be an upset soon. There always is! France is going down tomorrow. 

I'm going to call the group now. With a 1-1 result between USA/WAL, the group will be decided by which one can break down Iran. The stop and flop show will be on in earnest for the US. I think Wales goes through from here.

I dunno, Wales had nothing in that game, stifled on the wings, route one didn't work, it took a brain fade by US to allow Wales to draw it. US had good intensity, dunno how theyll maintain it through a tournament.

Wales had a bit more in the tank long term. Both need to play England as well. It's a very interesting equation. 

Massive massive day tomorrow. Saudi Argentina at the biggest stadium. It'll be a painful wait for our game. 

USA unlucky to not get a win. Wales rubbish and only a stupid tackle to give a penalty away at the end killed them.

Players are so dumb. Absolutely no need to make that challenge. Bale facing away from goal and no danger. 

USA deployed a 4-3-3 flat midfield  when Wales had the ball. Their aggressive  geger pressing  and intensive squeezing enabled them to win the ball high up the pitch in Wales' Attacking Transitions.

Then the USA ran out of gas later in the game. In most of the game that I watched, the second half, Wales were on top.

Saw  most of first half of England V Iran. England were deservedly 3-0 up at half time. Will have to look at a replay.

 I'm surprised Iran scored 2 goals?

Nice to see England now playing a short passing game and building up systematically from the back of the pitch to the front.

 I don't watch the EPL anymore and have no idea ( and don't care) which teams the English players play for in that league?

Gareth Southgate  and Steve Holland are developing a decent Englaish team. I saw them lose the ball under pressure a few times in the defensive half and defensive third of the pitch, that better teams than Iran will punish though.

Credit to them though. Against Iran, England played attractive passing football played by some of the neighbouring powerhouses across the English Channel. It was also  winning football.

Well they did go the whole hog on the set design :)

I LOOOVVVEEE MT but agree, he needs a co-commentator ... I wish SBS had the funding to send the whole crew to Qatar, 

Very pretty football by the three lions last night.... They'l boss the group but is it enough in the round of 16?

early days but seriously IF anyone expected Iran to give them a run we're dreaming.
Between all their political issues effecting them all, not singing their anthem and a huge opponent they were at a loss just walking out.
Poms line up is damn impressive as many can see, D2 doesn't watch the best league in the world but some of their players are top shelf some good sound squaddies.
When Kane is in the supporting cast said it all, the youngies look good as long as Southgate keeps them clicking/rotating.
Bellingham is an absolute talent, Saka, Grealish, Foden, Rice, TAA and couple more.
Got say kudos to Irans Taremi could have had a hat trick if I recall right.
Iran is cooked.

VVD's NT had a tuff one with Senegal who has a decent squad, I expect Senegalise to challenge for P2.

Wales, comments were shit I see it the USA played better than I expected and dictated the 1st half why didn't they score another at least for Wales keeper wasn't that busy all game if I recall right.
Shit Wales defended and held them out, it was obvious Wales weren't in sync but did enough to contest USA's possesion flow and attack.
They actually impressed me came out of the blocks way better.
Wales had a couple of chances something was going to give, silly tackle, great pen take by Bale.

geez england looked sharp. 

benefit of playing in a big league and only having a week from the league before you enter WC games? Maybe the break and summer WC can even the playing field a bit?

Yeah and works out pretty well here sleep wise given the circumstances.

Watch Argentina 8:30-10:30 sleep 6.5 or so hours then Australia 5:30-7:30 coffee, shower, work.

I'm loving it.

Get their juices flowing, get their pundits believing and going on about how this time it feels different then BAM!! 

Adios

He needs to retire imo. Just doesn't sound like he's invested anymore

ha ha totally. 

HAHAHAHA that makes three of us :) hahahahahahah 
I hate the Poms but it WAS very pretty to watch last night I have to admit. 

Oh yeah a very young and dynamic side for sure and I do find myself "hating" this team less than teams of the past but still.....

I've no doubt about the quality of the EPL, LFC.

I'm just not paying to watch club football ATM.

Anyone who plays in English,  German, Spanish, Italian, French, Brazilian or Argentinian top leagues, has to be a decent player. 

Someone else alluded earlier on in the thread about how Martin Tyler needs a co-commentator. I'm  tired of  English commentators constantly alluding to any player who plays in England, providing  their comprehensive club history, but they know nothing about virtually any player who doesn't.  They need to learn more about football game specific criteria to analyse the game.  

England has been stuck in the mentality that football ends at the English Channel - credit to Gareth Southgate for looking outside the country for ideas.

It also helps that Southgate has had a decent caching history as a national youth coach. He has looked beyond England for ideas too.

England youth teams and the senior team have been the beneficiaries. Fair play to him!