Futbol

[O Really]

I think I'll just root for England ...

Might want to keep that to yourself until after tonight's game.

Naa, as a seasoned UNC fan, I'm used to humiliation and heartbreak. If the Three Lions let my mum and me down, I'll just quaff a pint and blame the refs.

[GoCubsGo]

Bullshit red card.

I've seen worse calls. Idk that I would have given a red card, but I don't think that it was outrageous. He's banned from the Belgium game.

With no avenue to appeal.

I'll be damned.

Just a few days later, Balogun's suspension has been…suspended. The reasoning likely lies within Article 27 of FIFA's code of discipline.

"The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.

If the person benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement."

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/soccer/art ... 42013.html

[supesalemgr2]

Bullshit red card.

I've seen worse calls. Idk that I would have given a red card, but I don't think that it was outrageous. He's banned from the Belgium game.

With no avenue to appeal.

I'll be damned.

Just a few days later, Balogun's suspension has been…suspended. The reasoning likely lies within Article 27 of FIFA's code of discipline.

"The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.

If the person benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement."

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/soccer/art ... 42013.html

Based on what I saw of the event this seems to be the proper decision. I find the verbal gymnastics of the FIFA interesting.

[GoCubsGo]

Based on what I saw of the event this seems to be the proper decision. I find the verbal gymnastics of the FIFA interesting.

Agreed it's the proper decision, that's what makes it surprisingly un FIFA like.

[supesalemgr2]

Based on what I saw of the event this seems to be the proper decision. I find the verbal gymnastics of the FIFA interesting.

Agreed it's the proper decision, that's what makes it surprisingly un FIFA like.

They are acting like a little brother of the IOC. The one year probationary period is so weak. The World Cup will be over in a few days.

[Vrede too]

I think I'll just root for England ...

Might want to keep that to yourself until after tonight's game.

Naa, as a seasoned UNC fan, I'm used to humiliation and heartbreak. If the Three Lions let my mum and me down, I'll just quaff a pint and blame the refs.

, but it might be dangerous now that you live in North Mexico.

England's tall order: Estadio Azteca brings altitude, atmosphere and history to Mexico clash
England travels to Mexico City for a World Cup Round of 16 match that poses a multitude of challenges

Mexico's Estadio Azteca has long been one of soccer's most intimidating venues. On Sunday, unbeaten Mexico will try to use that home-field advantage — and the altitude of Mexico City — to end England's World Cup run.

Sitting 7,220 feet (2,240m) above sea level in Mexico's capital city, the 87,523 capacity stadium holds a mythical presence among soccer fans. England arrived Friday, just two days before kickoff, hoping to adjust to the thin air, a hostile crowd and an opponent yet to concede a goal at the World Cup.

The stadium is also steeped in English soccer folklore.

It was here, of course, where Argentina's Diego Maradona punched the ball past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton at Mexico '86, before dancing his way through their entire team to double their lead, eventually advancing as 2-1 winners.

The "Hand of God" and the "Goal of the Century" — separated by just four minutes — have been etched into the memories of English soccer fans, even those who were born in subsequent decades after, all still scarred by memories of their parents, grandparents and thousands of YouTube highlights at the press of their thumbs.

England hasn't played at the Azteca since that 1986 World Cup, when a 3-0 victory over Paraguay in the Round of 16 preceded Maradona's unforgettable quarterfinal masterpiece four days later.

"It was not only English people," England coach Thomas Tuchel explained, remembering watching Mexico '86 as a 12-year-old boy in Germany. "Even me. I didn't have a connection to English football in those days but even I know this moment. I remember, of course, the World Cup of Maradona. The two goals against England. The one dribbling and the one … yeah, which would never stand these days."

... Mexico has been perfect so far at the World Cup, winning four, scoring eight and conceding zero. El Tri also own an impeccable home record inside the Azteca — 70 wins from 89 games, with 17 draws and only two defeats.

... As the altitude gap between the teams increased, so too did the home-field advantage, with higher-altitude teams winning up to 82.5% of matches in the most extreme cases.

The researchers also estimated that every 3,281 feet (1,000m) of altitude was worth roughly half a goal to the higher-altitude home team on average — a reminder of the challenge England faces in Mexico City.

... Soccer is life in Mexico. You can't walk the streets without seeing a man, child or duck donned in the green of the national jersey and good luck trying to find a spot in a bar when El Tri take to the field....

Duck you, England fans.

... But my word, it's the tallest of tall orders.

World Cup 2026: Mexico fans find England's team hotel, greet Three Lions with boos before World Cup clash
Mexico fans made similar disturbances outside of Ecuador's hotel before their Round of 32 match

Better hope they don't find your gated community.

Also, they grow sour grapes in Canada.

World Cup 2026: Jesse Marsch insists Canada was 'the better team' in loss to Morocco: 'I'd rather be us than them'
While Canada outplayed Morocco in the first half of the teams' Round of 16 match, Marsch's squad was eliminated in a 3-0 defeat on Saturday

I was a very good goalie. I was not very good on the field. When we got a 3-0 lead I would sub out of goal to get a taste of running around.

I'll be damned.

Just a few days later, Balogun's suspension has been…suspended. The reasoning likely lies within Article 27 of FIFA's code of discipline.

"The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.

If the person benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement."

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/soccer/art ... 42013.html

Did Dementia Don threaten them? Anyway, good, now FIFA can't blamed when Belgium kicks USA USA USA butt.

Btw, Belgium beat USA USA USA 5-2 in a friendly in March.

[GoCubsGo]

The Northern Lights are shining, Dolph Lungren scored two goals.

[Vrede too]

The Northern Lights are shining, Dolph Lungren scored two goals.

https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/ ... -CUP-1.gif

, but he's Swedish. That escalator row is iconic. Those guys will have that memory forever.

Round of 16

I'm 28-32 so far.

Sun 7/5

4:00 PM New York New Jersey Stadium
Go Norway > Brazil (-0.5). I'm rooting for the historic underdog.
UPSET! 2-1 "Haaland scores twice and Norway shocks Brazil to move onto quarters for 1st time"
Beware the fury of the Norsemen.
I'm 29-32 so far.

8:00 PM Mexico City Stadium, home edge
Go Mexico > England (-0.5). Sorry, O Really's Mum, please don't haunt me.
2-3 76', England had a man sent off. "Absolutely bonkers".
EDIT: Wild finish, 2-3.
I'm 29-33 so far.
2nd co-host knocked out. Make it a hat trick.
Go Norge > England. It's like it's the 9th Century all over again.

I'm rooting against the favorites again.

Btw, Jean-Claude Van Damme is Belgian. Be careful what you wish for . . .

[GoCubsGo]

Not liking the Brit strategy atm.

[GoCubsGo]

What do I know?

[Vrede too]

What do I know?

https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkP ... giphy.webp

It's hard to score against a team committed to defense. It's also hard to score when your team is down a player.

Congrats, O Really's Mum.

[Vrede too]

I'll be damned.

Just a few days later, Balogun's suspension has been…suspended. The reasoning likely lies within Article 27 of FIFA's code of discipline.

"The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.

If the person benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement."

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/soccer/art ... 42013.html

Corden: Never happened before.
Me: Also, a FIFA Peace Prize has never happened before.

Round of 16

I'm 29-33 so far.

3:00 PM Dallas Stadium
Go Portugal > Spain (-0.5) Just rooting for the never-winner underdog, I don't hate Espana.

8:00 PM Seattle Field
Go Belgium > USA (-0.5)

[supesalemgr2]

Vrede's anti-American sentiment is consistent. It would be enlightening if he would share with us - WHY?

[Vrede too]

WTH? The USA - Belgium game will be starting at 1 or 2 am in Belgium while the earlier game ends around 10 or 11 pm Euro time. That's just rude.

[GoCubsGo]

WTH? The USA - Belgium game will be starting at 1 or 2 am in Belgium while the earlier game ends around 10 or 11 pm Euro time. That's just rude.

Any worse than the England game?

[Vrede too]

WTH? The USA - Belgium game will be starting at 1 or 2 am in Belgium while the earlier game ends around 10 or 11 pm Euro time. That's just rude.

Any worse than the England game?

No, but two wrongs . . .

[GoCubsGo]

ETTD.

[Vrede too]

ETTD.
https://x.com/AP/status/2074122420324077944
https://x.com/appiecule/status/2073833991648772217

https://x.com/TheAthleticFC/status/2074024394171580587

Did Dementia Don threaten them?

Corden: Never happened before.
Me: Also, a FIFA Peace Prize has never happened before.

I hate being right about Moron Don and FIFA.

There's 0% chance that FIFA will snub Der Fuhrer and reverse itself.

[supesalemgr2]

WTH? The USA - Belgium game will be starting at 1 or 2 am in Belgium while the earlier game ends around 10 or 11 pm Euro time. That's just rude.

Any worse than the England game?

No, but two wrongs . . .

Don,t worry. You will get over it.

[GoCubsGo]

There's 0% chance that FIFA will snub Der Fuhrer and reverse itself.

Dunno, supposedly it's done independently and it's become a thing.

Also, how about the irony of Folarin Balogun being a birthright citizen?

Balogun was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Yoruba Nigerian parents.[8][9] This made Balogun a US citizen. His parents were living in London, and visited New York when his mother was seven months pregnant with him. Airline staff did not allow her to board the family's return flight to London due to safety concerns over the advanced state of her pregnancy, and Balogun was subsequently born in New York.[10] He returned to the United Kingdom with his parents when he was two months old and grew up in London.[11][12][13]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folarin_Balogun