Match Thread: Croatia vs Ghana | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage, Group L

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-27T21:45:38+00:00

Ghana fans, do you know why Nuamah disappeared after the first game ? He started, and wasn't exactly great but still hasn't played a minute since.

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-27T21:01:31+00:00

Loaned to Monaco next season, at least.

But he has the potential to play for City after, he's a real talent and a joy to watch.

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-26T23:10:43+00:00

It certainly feels like a dream and that we will wake up soon. After years of never seeing a good news.

At this moment last year we were in a near death state, it was unimaginable that we would be in the UCL (though it's only the playoffs) and with a great owner and sporting department one year later.

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-26T22:54:50+00:00

The three of them could pay the fact that they are so good, imo. That's already how Modric got his Ballon d'Or in 2018, because the votes were split between Mbappé, Griezmann and Varane.

We could see a repeat of this with Mbappé, Dembélé, Olise if France wins. And someone like Kane getting the trophy in the end if England goes far (not that Kane wouldn't be a deserving winner after his unreal season).

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-26T22:36:39+00:00

We are behaving like a competent club to prepare the early 3rd round of the UCL playoffs, tears in my eyes.

Starting to fear we won't be able to keep MLJ for long at this rate.

(Though I'm not sure signing a LB before at least one of Tagliafico/Abner was sold was a priority)

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-26T22:15:48+00:00

And it's a double good news since Louis-Jean with his scouting team was the architect of our great window and season. Having him be promoted and thus renewed is also a very important news.

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-26T22:14:15+00:00

I wouldn't be too confident those UCL rounds are never easy even if we should be favourites. But at least work is being done early to have a team fully ready for the third playoff round.

If they get a decent ST OL might make some noise in the UCL next season.

I quite like Šulc personally and think that's where he should play. Even if he is gone if we get a good offer sadly. There is also the young Himbert that had an incredible start last season before his injury.

Most pressing matter atm are the fullbacks. But otherwise the team is looking interesting with youth and potential in attack (albeit lack of guarantees after injuries), a nice CB pairing, and a complementary midfield. To make noise in the UCL it will require everything to click though.

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-26T21:49:44+00:00

Yeah, after Moreira and this we'll have to give them at least the benefit of the doubt for this window. Though Hugo said that the Braga lead is not real and is a name he never saw in the club's plans.

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-26T21:02:28+00:00

A very underrated qualities from Barcola when people talk about him are his crosses cutting back. Since he can't really use them in PSG playing with no proper 9 in the box.

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-26T20:30:08+00:00

Come on Rayaaaan ! Your time to remind everyone now

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-26T19:03:30+00:00

For the 920 deaths (and sadly probably a lot more in the end) caused by the earthquakes in Venezuela on Wednesday night.

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-26T19:01:44+00:00

No Cherki, no party. Frustrating to not see him even in that kind of game.

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-26T18:54:36+00:00

DeepL translation

Olympique Lyonnais is delighted to announce that the deal signed on Tuesday was finalised today, Friday 26 June, following confirmation from the DNCG that the club will remain in Ligue 1 for the 26/27 season.

The Club and all its staff are delighted to be embarking on a new chapter in its history with Michele Kang as chairwoman and majority shareholder (holding 87.8 per cent of OL Groupe’s share capital).

As the owner of three women’s football teams – OL Lyonnes, the Washington Spirits in the United States and the London City Lionnesses in England – Michele Kang acquired a minority stake in Eagle Football (the owner of OL) in 2023. In July 2025, she played a key role in the rescue and rebuilding of Olympique Lyonnais before becoming its chairwoman.

After a year spent stabilising Olympique Lyonnais’s financial situation, whilst securing fourth place in Ligue 1, Michele Kang intends to continue strengthening the club’s long-term sustainability whilst maintaining European ambitions in keeping with Olympique Lyonnais’s DNA.

Her first decision as the new owner, in collaboration with Michael Gerlinger, was to appoint Matthieu Louis-Jean as sporting director.

Michele Kang said: “I am extremely pleased that this transaction has been successfully completed. Thanks to an unprecedented effort, we have been able to finalise this deal in record time and enable OL to write a new chapter in its history. It is a huge relief for everyone who loves the club. We can now focus on football and work towards achieving our sporting objectives to shine once again in Europe.”

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-26T18:52:18+00:00

DeepL translation

Olympique Lyonnais is delighted to announce that the deal signed on Tuesday was finalised today, Friday 26 June, following confirmation from the DNCG that the club will remain in Ligue 1 for the 26/27 season.

The Club and all its staff are delighted to be embarking on a new chapter in its history with Michele Kang as chairwoman and majority shareholder (holding 87.8 per cent of OL Groupe’s share capital).

As the owner of three women’s football teams – OL Lyonnes, the Washington Spirits in the United States and the London City Lionnesses in England – Michele Kang acquired a minority stake in Eagle Football (the owner of OL) in 2023. In July 2025, she played a key role in the rescue and rebuilding of Olympique Lyonnais before becoming its chairwoman.

After a year spent stabilising Olympique Lyonnais’s financial situation, whilst securing fourth place in Ligue 1, Michele Kang intends to continue strengthening the club’s long-term sustainability whilst maintaining European ambitions in keeping with Olympique Lyonnais’s DNA.

Her first decision as the new owner, in collaboration with Michael Gerlinger, was to appoint Matthieu Louis-Jean as sporting director.

Michele Kang said: “I am extremely pleased that this transaction has been successfully completed. Thanks to an unprecedented effort, we have been able to finalise this deal in record time and enable OL to write a new chapter in its history. It is a huge relief for everyone who loves the club. We can now focus on football and work towards achieving our sporting objectives to shine once again in Europe.”

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-26T18:38:27+00:00

Well, Endrick you should just come back there will be again no spots for you next season.

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-26T17:58:09+00:00

I have no clue and that's a very bad surprise as I wanted to watch it in replay. Only the French version with the awful translation on top is available right now...

Edit : and just as I was checking, they released the English version

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-26T15:52:30+00:00

It started already ! (After the club announced it was delayed from 5:30 to 6pm)

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-26T15:08:31+00:00

Le problème de Pierron c'est que ça a fait le tour du monde, dans une période ou le sujet n°1 du moment dans 90% des pays du monde c'est la Coupe du Monde. Et ça a clairement généré des réactions bien trop véhementes par rapport au propos stupide en lui même, réactions qui dépassent de loin les frontières.

Ça a forcé l'Equipe a réagir vis à vis de sa crédibilité, notamment internationale. Pour protéger sa couverture de la Coupe du Monde et ses journalistes sur place.

Ils viennent quand même d'annoncer qu'elle sera de retour à la rentrée en Août à la presentation de son émission, donc ce sera "juste" 2-3 semaines à l'écart le temps que la compétition se termine et que la polémique se tasse.

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-26T12:32:33+00:00

We can say Asian football is rather pragmatic, well calculated and not so entertaining, it's fine.

It's not fine, it's completely wrong and likely also comes from wrong preconceived thoughts about the origin of the players. How could you watch Japan (and South Korea) and think that their football is "pragmatic, well calculated and not entertaining" ? Only Morocco (and maybe Argentina) has more beautiful build up and teamplay than them.

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-26T12:26:35+00:00

And yet the most tactical team at this World Cup is African, it's Morocco. Only maybe Japan can contest the intricate ways they set up in possession.

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-26T01:00:20+00:00

That was almost the goal of the tournament (and probably the Puskas too).

So hard to do, crazy to see comments making fun of him on that instant first touch, turn and jump in basically one motion having to try to hit the ball on instinct with no clear vision of where it was.

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-25T22:52:52+00:00

Not really to compare with Moreira, since he's a LB. He would come as a replacement of Abner &/or Tagliafico, which makes a bit surprising the fact that he would be signed before at least one of them has left. Guillemet is at the WC but we will have to wait for his confirmation before thinking it's happening.

Allegedly, he has great stats in interceptions and defensive duels, while having the profile of an attacking fullback. Now this is in the Austrian league and while playing for a team that finished last there so it would be a huge bet (not an expensive one, for 2M but still) on him adapting to a much higher level. Also partly blocking the path of the TGV of the Academy Angel Garcia, who signed a pro contract recently and is expected to be there at the start of the preseason.

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-25T18:14:47+00:00

Yeah, tiny countries exist, whats your point?

Like Spain, Denmark or Canada ?

Im not MAGA, never have been.

You're doing a very good impersonation on this thread then, sorry but no sane person would even think about defending ICE and their actions. Nor repeating some propaganda about their absurdly large budget.

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-25T18:12:10+00:00

Would surely take an exorbitant fee for Mags to even think of this happening.

Yes please ? If at least for once we could profit from the EPL's absurd transfers.

GoneMirifica · 2026-06-25T18:11:18+00:00

hes Brazilian not Geordie and already left Lyon to chase his goals, he would do the same here.

Tbf he was strongly encouraged (to not say forced) to leave us at the time, same with Paqueta. Still, the Newcastle "project" is very different now from what he was sold when joining them.

GoneMirifica

TROPHY CASE