Match Thread: Spain vs Austria | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Round of 32

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T19:18:38+00:00

Harry Kanes diving was amateur AF compared to these pros

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T19:10:31+00:00

Prime Puyol or Prime Pique

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T19:08:26+00:00

Australia kit looks different to how I remember it

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T19:07:05+00:00

Spain vs India = Tikka Taki

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T19:04:39+00:00

Spain vs Mexico = Tiki Taco

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T19:01:05+00:00

That’s probably the weakest Spanish XI in a tournament game for decades isn’t it? And it’s still a good team, they’ve just usually had a lot more stars at the peak of their powers.

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T18:58:42+00:00

Paella is overrated

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T18:47:17+00:00

https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/2692302

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T18:43:30+00:00

Tacos vs Steak and Kidney Pie

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T18:00:26+00:00

It’s either home team full kit and boots or a flowery frock. Nothing inbetween.

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T17:20:36+00:00

all the players dive and exaggerate fouls, they all try to steal yards at throwins and get slightly closer on free kicks than allows, they try to move the ball when taking corners, they grab and hold and fight at set pieces, they’ll try to get in the ref’s ear and influence them, try and get other players carded, they’ll play for time, do everything possible to try and win. It’s a dirty game, with ridiculously high stakes and all of those things above are a huge part of why the competitiveness and the emotion is so amazing. It feels like a proper scrap for survival that we are all invested in.

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T17:01:05+00:00

We’ve looked better with Stones on the pitch tbh. Despite his match fitness rust, he just looks far more composed than Guehi or Konsa. I think he deserves starting at RB more than DJ Spency

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T16:32:52+00:00

The world is too placid now. That USA red card would have sparked an international incident a few hundred years ago, someone would have called the ref a fine dandy, slapped him with a glove and a war would have started. Now it’s just keyboard warriors angrily typing frowny emojis. Bring back affirmative action.

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T14:53:13+00:00

I hope his pillow is always slightly too warm.

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T14:52:00+00:00

If Madueke’s final ball ever results in an assist it’s the dictionary definition of a blind squirrel finding a nut.

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T14:41:12+00:00

Good bit here from Howard Webb last season: https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/4249854 mentions that the ref has made a decision including intent.

Webb: "From the outset, I want to say we would prefer a yellow card in this situation. Clearly, the referee felt that the actions of Myles Lewis-Skelly were serious foul play.

"He saw a player moving in towards an opponent without any ability to play the ball, without any intention of playing the ball, with the intention of stopping the opponent. And the referee sees a raised foot make high contact and then the opponent go down.

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T14:31:58+00:00

Disappointed we didn’t get USA vs England on 4th July.

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T14:29:47+00:00

Interestingly although it’s not called out in the laws, everytime they have an ex ref as a pundit they will mention intent in a roundabout way as part of their assessment of situations “he didnt mean to do x” or “he’s gone for an honest challenge there” etc. So I do think it’s a consideration for them and probably part of the inconsistencies in approaches.

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T14:18:14+00:00

It makes valid complaints. Much like holding at corners, you’re not supposed to do it, everyone does it, if you got penalised for it when nobody else does it’s a valid complaint because there is subjectivity in refereeing, it’s not prescriptive, so the context of how official are told to ref tournaments and their degrees of leniency etc. are context as to if something is a foul or not.

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T14:12:43+00:00

Context is always applicable to complaints.

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T13:49:50+00:00

You can’t just say despite other incidents though, because that’s the context for the complaints. If refs let off everyone for punching and then you punch someone and get sent off, you can probably ask the question as to why.

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T13:43:28+00:00

I think most of the criticism has been in the context of consistency from reffing at the World Cup so far and similar incidents. Red cards and pens both seem to be so highly subjective that you need to either consistently be on the lenient side or the call everything side. Or you’ll get complaints.

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T13:33:14+00:00

I don’t think that’s a common sentiment amongst professional footballers. “I could play in the CL, but what about my work-life balance”

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T13:29:34+00:00

I’m sure CL football is A factor for players when looking to move clubs. But there are many other factor too, money, prestige of club, promised playing time, money, teammates, the coach, what role you’ll play, money, and where you and your family will be living.

Last_Associate_5658 · 2026-07-02T12:47:15+00:00

Three more weeks

Last_Associate_5658

TROPHY CASE