snorbens_caleyman

Quansah went in studs first, his foot was halfway up shin level before he reached the ball, and if you can see his leg "bouncing" off the ball then you're a better man than I! One replay angle even suggests that he positively, actively planted his studs into the guy's leg - see at 0:17 in the video below. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/videos/cp8rrwk5624o

Given Ronaldo's great affection for himself, I would certainly be putting on gloves if I had to shake hands with him! It's reported that Balogun visited the Belgian dressing room after the game, and they told him that it wasn't his fault. That's good, from him and from the Belgians. Back to football now, please.

Beat you to it But first, tonight for dinner, it will be moules frites, with mayo on the frites, followed by chocolate mousse, and washed down by a selection of Trappist beers. To a soundtrack of Plastic Bertrand's greatest hit. And a midnight snack of Americans on toast.

Have given up at 90 minutes in Australia vs Egypt. I don't care who goes through. They are both rubbish - at times it was like watching a school playground match.

They are ONLY allowed to review an attacking foul before the ball is in play IF it leads directly to a goal, penalty or disciplinary sanction. Have the attackers gained an advantage unfairly? They are NOT allowed to review defensive fouls before the ball is in play because... what would you award? The ball isn't in play. They are being consistent with the guidelines that they have been given, but you could well argue - as you have done - that the guidance itself is inconsistent. See https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ce8jv326d7vo , "World Cup 2026 new rules", and scroll down to "More VAR, and lots of it" .

But that's not how they decided about the Kane dive last night. They decided that the referee had not made a "clear and obvious" error, and so they didn't overrule him. But it was also said that if he'd given a penalty, then, on the same grounds, they wouldn't have overruled him. In the short time available to them - which IS a good thing - VAR was inconclusive.

I'm sure they would have been used, too, if there actually were any and they made the best offer!

Some possibilities - including Ange - discussed here - https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/28/scotland-search-new-coach-replace-steve-clarke

I'd be more worried about the bridge being rotated 90 degrees

Next country I'm visiting - apart from Eng-er-land where I stay - is Norway, so I'll transfer my allegiance to them. I'll actually be in Norway if they make it to the semis or final, though I doubt they will. Practising my "Ro!" now....

They will get caught out pitty-pattying around in and level with their own box. Came close to calamity a few times last night. Are they always going to be able to score more than the opposition?

Aye, but the referees are all based in Miami, so that they can have meetings, reviews, briefings, exchange notes, ensure they are all applying the laws consistently, etc etc.

That one is implanted in my brain! I can see it perfectly without having to look it up. Middle of May, 1978. I had just finished my final exams, in computer science, at university. Scheduling hours and hours of exams for thousands of students within two or three weeks - with a variety of halls and rooms to juggle, class sizes from single figures to well into three figures, and of course some people taking peculiar combinations of subjects - is no trivial task. In fact it was done by a neat program developed by a member of the computer science department. The best bit about that was that he "fixed" the program so that the computer science exams ended first of all in the university - i.e. they were over before anyone else's. And the reason for this was to allow us to enjoy the Home Internationals, without exams getting in the way. And what did we get? Willie bloody Donachie For those who don't know it, or who had managed to forget it - here it is: https://www.facebook.com/100079048004236/videos/you-cant-beat-an-own-goalback-in-may-1978-scotlands-willie-donachie-gave-us-one-/1608729533380674/

So getting promoted means we have six games fewer than last season. Not everyone will agree, but I think that's a good thing.

Must have played better than he did on this day 11 years ago!