#5 France 2-1 Australia ~ Group C

[e17]

I totally disagree. The Aussie star player is Huddersfield's central midfielder. How would you line up a team when the opposition outclass you in every area?

By playing like Pullis’ Stoke

I’m not saying they’re wrong to do so, or even that it makes me want France to win.

It’s down to the better team to break that down, rather than join them at their own game,

Something the French have failed at

[e17]

Christian Dailly has come out of retirement to play right back for France then.

Daily would be better

[Faithless]

If any Russian secret service agents are watching this..

Mark Lawrenson is a British spy..

Somehow the French playacting has actually made Lawro seem like an astute observer of the game

[James P]

Christian Dailly has come out of retirement to play right back for France then.

I saw Christian Dailly at the Romford Parkrun this morning. Looks fitter than when he was playing.

[Faithless]

Christian Dailly has come out of retirement to play right back for France then.

I saw Christian Dailly at the Romford Parkrun this morning. Looks fitter than when he was playing.

I miss Christian...he was the love of my life :cry:

Back OT - b*llocks

[Collison Theory]

If any Russian secret service agents are watching this..

Mark Lawrenson is a British spy..

Tedious, isn't he? Always sounds like he doesn't want to be there, that watching football just irritates him.

Jammy froggies it looks like.

[Hemel Iron]

Pavard is dog dirt.

[rare as rockinghorse shat]

That Hernandez is a disgrace

[3Dicks]

Pogba really is bang average isn’t he. Very successful ‘brand’ bang average footballer

[Faithless]

That Hernandez is a disgrace

Totally agree, these players that go down holding their heads for no reason are disrespecting the spirit of that particular law. They should be made to see Gary Mabbutt's face after he was elbowed.

[e17]

That Hernandez is a disgrace

He’s the sort of footballer you’d never really truly love even if he played 300 games for your club

Pepe last night was the same

[Faithless]

Phil Neville: so entertaining and insightful even the beeb cut's out when he speaks :lol:

[Slacking student]

Phil Neville: so entertaining and insightful even the beeb cut's out when he speaks :lol:

Twice :lol:

[e17]

They should be made to see Gary Mabbutt's face after he was elbowed.

Or John Fashanus elbow

[e17]

Phil Neville: so entertaining and insightful even the beeb cut's out when he speaks :lol:

Alex Scott on the other hand has been the most knowledgeable and enthusiastic pundit so far

[fmgod]

Just ban Hernandez for the rest of the tournament, disgraceful cheating! Teach these players a lesson

[Faithless]

Or John Fashanus elbow

I prefer your idea, poetic justice

Alex Scott on the other hand has been the most knowledgeable and enthusiastic pundit so far

She usually is, doesn't suffer from the verbal diarrhoea that seems to have inflicted a number of her male colleagues

[r99c]

Is there not an argument to be made that Griezmann regained possession after the initial touch on the ball from the defender? Griezmann took a touch after the defender's touch and then was clean through before being brought down by the defender. That makes it a penalty for me. It's not your normal case of defender winning ball and taking down man with the follow through in one movement without possession being regained.

Nevertheless, France extremely fortunate to win that game and they won't be a factor in this tournament unless they improve a lot.

[hammer1975]

Best bit about the game, commentary and analysis was Alex Scott.

France had no rhythm at all. I remain astounding whenever I watch these £50m+ players how many times they simply kick it at someone else’s legs. Poor.

[rare as rockinghorse shat]

Seeing that incident again, I'd pull back my last comment and say that there maybe was a slight touch on that ball.
However, and this is not me backtracking, even if there was, it needs to be reasonable contact - it isn't just black and white that 'he touched it full stop' - and Griezmann then touched the ball before the contact, so I think it was still the correct decision.

Refereeing has generally been ok so far I think.