If you heard the rumours dear blog reader then, yes, almost unbelievably they were true, England were winning five-nil at half-time in their second World Cup match against Panama. However they were, it should be noted, playing against a team that would probably struggle in League Two. So, it might be an idea not to get too carried away by this performance. Not that this will stop lots of people with tattoos - in the media and elsewhere - from doing exactly that and getting very carried away!
Nope, definitely no - massive - over-reaction going on in this place, dear blog readers. Nothing to see here ...
So, England achieved their most emphatic World Cup result in history as Harry Kane's hat-trick helped them thrash a, frankly, piss-poor Panama side and reach the last sixteen of the competition with one group game still to play. A rather confusing Sunday afternoon followed for football supporters all across England who'd never really experienced this sort of easy passage before. It was very disconcerting, frankly. Is this the way Brazilians feel most of the time? There were, as noted above, five (that's FIVE!) first-half goals, with John Stones heading in the opener. Kane made it two-nil from the spot before Jesse Lingard, who was fouled in the box for the penalty, then made it three-nil with a great bending strike. Stones headed his second after Raheem Sterling had hit the bar, Kane smashed in another penalty and then, early in the second-half, Kane scored a lucky third the ball deflecting in off his heel from a Ruben Loftus-Cheek shot. Felipe Baloy fired in a consolation goal for the Central Americans late in the game and, bless 'em, their supporters went ape-shit! So, everyone was happy. This was the first time England had scored four goals in a World Cup match since the 1966 final against Germany and the first time they'd ever scored six. Kane, who now has five goals in the tournament, became the third England player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup, after Geoff Hurst in 1966 and Gary Lineker in 1986. England's opening win over Tunisia contained one serious flaw which needed correcting - namely a lack of ruthlessness and a clinical edge in front of goal. As Panama were totally dismantled, that failing was addressed. Panama, however, are - by a distance - the worst side at this World Cup (and, given that one of the others is Saudi Arabia's Under Elevens, that really is saying something). But, as the old maxim has it, you can only beat (or draw, or get beat by) what's in front of you. In many ways, England's performance in this match was not that dissimilar to the way they played in the first game. The main difference was, by the time they hit the wall and ran out of steam here, they were already five-nil up so it didn't matter really matter. England had actually made a somewhat subdued and sloppy start before The Rolling Stones powered in Kieran Trippier's corner to put them ahead on eight minutes. It was plain sailing from then on. Gareth Southgate's side sparkled in the first-half heat of Nizhny Novgorod, pace and movement mixed with flashes of individual brilliance - such as Lingard's goal - to reduce Panama to an ill-disciplined shambles. When they get it right, England do have the firepower to trouble many teams. They also showed commendable first-half discipline to avoid getting involved in Panama's ham-fisted physical approach, simply letting the inevitable take its course in the hands of the Egyptian referee, Ghead Grisha, who had a very good game and appeared determined to punish penalty-area transgressions. In exactly the way that many of his colleagues in previous games at this tournament - England's last very much included - have seemed reluctant to do. England inevitably eased off with the game - and their place in the last sixteen - already assured and, of course, greater tests will lie ahead. But this was the sort of performance which will do wonders for confidence as the World Cup reaches the knockout stages. And, inevitably, it will also have a few numbskull tabloids gormlessly bellowing that we're now going to win the thing. Time will tell. It usually does.
Quote of the World Cup so far, from Danny Murphy on BBC1 during the England versus Panama game. 'It's always great to score at the World Cup. Especially for your country.' Well, who the bloody Hell else are you going to be scoring for at the World Cup, Dan, Hartlepool? Jeez, once-in-a-generation-mind, that bloke.
Alan Shearer is already a total legend as far as this blogger is concerned for his exploits with Keith Telly Topping's beloved (though unsellable) Magpies, but he went even higher in this blogger's estimation with just two words. In reply to Gary Lineker queuing up a Wimbeldon trailer during half-time at the football with the question 'anyone for tennis?' Shearer gave a simple reply: 'Not really!' You're speakin' for us all, Big Man!
This blogger was recently introduced to Bob Mortimer and Andy Dawson's brain-meltingly brilliant football podcast Athletico Mince. Which, if you're not listening to dear blog reader, you definitely should be. There is a down side, however, as some of the catchphrases from Bob and Andy's sketches tend to get stuck in ones head at the most inappropriate moments. Like during the England game, for example when, after Harry Kane was substituted in the second half, this blogger found it utterly impossible not to hear the England players whispering among themselves 'don't pass to Vardy!'
It seemed that virtually everyone and their dog was watching the football. Oi, Lewis mate, weren't you supposed to be driving your jam-jar this afternoon or something?
Meanwhile, if you want to see something really tragic - and yet, utterly hilarious at the same time, here's a video of the former England manager - and full-of-his-own-importance fool - Sam Allardyce. Sitting (seemingly, on his own) in a pub, munching on a burger with a geet big gurn on his mush whilst watching the team that he could have been (badly) managing at the World Cup beating Panama. And, muttering 'satnfatnbatnratnsatnfatngarethsouthgatedailytelegraphscumbastardssatnfatnratn ...' Probably. Although, as it turns out, all was not, quite, as it seemed. At least, according to the Sun.
The big winners of the day would appear to have been the BBC - not only will they have gotten one of the biggest TV audiences of the year for their (really rather good) coverage of England's game but, drunk on the patriotic euphoria of that, many punters may well have chosen to stick around and watch Japan versus Senegal immediately afterwards on the grounds that we're likely to be playing one of these two in the next round!
So, England won the football, at the same time, at Old Trafford, England were also winning the cricket (from what seemed earlier an unwinnable position) and, in France, Lewis won the Grand Prix. This blogger feels strangely conflicted. As great Bill Bailey once noted we're English, we're supposed to crave disappointment and, definitely, not have days like this. Although, inevitably, not everyone was happy. There's always one, isn't there?
Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard both scored twice as Belgium wen to the top of Group G by crushing Tunisia with a devastating attacking display on Saturday. The Red Devils sparkling finishing in the sunshine at the Spartak Stadium was the sort of display that puts the willies right up most of the rest of the countries in the tournament. Belgium attacked from the off and took only five minutes to take the lead, when Hazard was barged over by Syam Ben Youssef just inside the box and got up to send Tunisia keeper Farouk Ben Mustapha the wrong way from the spot. Things quickly got worse for Tunisia when Ali Maaloul's heavy touch on the halfway line allowed Dries Mertens to nip in and release Lukaku, who found a perfect low finish. The North African side, needing a win to reignite their own hopes of progress, gave themselves hope when Dylan Bronn got on the end of Wahbi Khazri's whipped free-kick just two minutes later. But they could not compete with Belgium's vastly superior firepower and Lukaku gave The Red Devils breathing space once more with a dinked finish from a Thomas Meunier pass just before half-time. Hazard added his second goal soon after the break, racing on to a precise Toby Alderweireld pass and rounding the keeper to fire home. That made sure of the points, but Belgium were not finished. Substitute Michy Batshuayi, who also had a shot cleared off the line and hit the bar from close range, finally found the target from Youri Tielemans' cross. Tunisia did manage a late consolation, when Khazri swept home Hamdi Nagguez's cross.
Philippe Coutinho and Neymar bailed Brazil out with stoppage-time strikes against Costa Rica following another uninspiring display. Coach Tite's team were heading for a second inglorious draw when Barcelona midfielder Coutinho popped up to poke home from Roberto Firmino's nod down. And with seconds remaining Neymar, the world's most expensive player, tapped in Douglas Costa's cross to secure Brazil's first win of the tournament. Their hopes of victory looked to have been dashed when they had a penalty decision overturned by VAR in the seventy eighth minute after referee Bjorn Kuipers had initially ruled Neymar had been brought down in the area. When in fact, he had clearly dived. Quite why he was not yellow carded for one of the most obvious examples of 'simulation' seen in the tournament so far is unknown. Although, the fact he is Neymar, the world's most expensive player, may have something to do with it. As it stands Brazil currently lead Group E and could go through with a draw in their final pool match against Serbia. How this Brazil side could do with just a sprinkling of the brio of the teams of 1970 and 1982. In the two games they have played so far the class of 2018 have been pedestrian for long periods - reminiscent of Carlos Alberto Parreira's heavily-criticised champions from 1994. Even that side scored more goals in their opening two games than Tite's outfit, who too often are cautious in their approach play and whose illustrious attack have yet to replicate their club form. Brazil were listless in the opening forty five minutes. After being fouled ten times in the opening game against Switzerland, Neymar, criticised after that match for not being a team player, was once again targeted by defenders and spent more yet time with his face in the turf. Coutinho, who scored with a brilliant strike in the opening game, failed to find his range and Moscow Chelski FC's Willian, taken off at half-time, was awful on the right. The tempo increased, as did the chances for Brazil, after the break although prior to the goals Costa Rica keeper Keylor Navas was only tested by Neymar's snapshot, while Jesus' header came off the woodwork. With fifteen minutes remaining it was desperation time for the five-time winners, with Tite and the vast number of Brazilians inside the Saint Petersburg stadium hoping for a miracle. Those prayers appeared to be answered with twelve minutes remaining, as Kuipers pointed to the spot after he judged Giancarlo Gonzalez had pulled down Neymar. However, after watching the replay the experienced Dutchman overturned the decision - and Brazilian shoulders slumped. Then came the breakthrough, with the fourth official signalling six minutes of stoppage time. Coutinho broke the deadlock when he fired in after substitute Firmino and Jesus had combined. And, in the dying seconds Neymar, only recently recovered from a broken foot, tucked home Juventus midfielder Costa's square ball. Brazil's talisman wept after the final whistle - the win relief both for him and for his nation. It was a commendable defensive display by Costa Rica, who had hoped to punish Brazil on the counter-attack. However, their only opportunity came in early in the first half when Celso Borges fired wide after a good run and cross from Celtic's Cristian Gamboa. There will be no repeat of 2014, when Los Ticos reached the last eight.
The Brazilian commentator let her excitement show on Philippe Coutinho and Neymar's late goals in their win over Costa Rica.
Ahmed Musa scored both goals as Nigeria swept aside Iceland to leave Group D intriguingly poised with one round of games to go. The Super Eagles would have gone out with defeat but came good in Volgograd. Musa showed superb technique to fire Nigeria ahead on the half-volley before the Leicester player rounded keeper Hannes Thor Halldorsson to make it two-nil. Iceland missed a late penalty - awarded after a video assistant referee review - when Gylfi Sigurdsson fired over. The result gives a lift to beleaguered group rivals Argentina. Victory over Nigeria in their final game would see La Albiceleste safely into the last sixteen - as long as Iceland do not beat group leaders Croatia. In that event, goal difference would decide who progresses. Victory in that game for Nigeria, on the other hand, would now guarantee their progress. Having started the day bottom of the group, they find themselves second - three points behind Croatia, who have already qualified for the knockout stage. Having gone down two-nil to Croatia in their first game, Nigeria would have joined African rivals Egypt and Morocco in exiting the tournament early if they had lost here. They started slowly, becoming the first team in Russia not to have a shot in the first forty five minutes. Yet they were a different proposition after the interval as they went on to secure only a second win in fourteen games at a World Cup finals. Musa, who ended last season at CSKA Moscow on loan from Leicester City, proved the difference having been recalled to the team after the Croatia defeat. He showed exceptional quality to open the scoring, controlling a cross by Victor Moses before lashing home from ten yards. Having scored one of the goals of the tournament, Musa then hit the bar before scoring his second after Iceland's defence had gone walkabout. That goal ensured he became his country's all-time top scorer in World Cup games with four. Iceland went into the game having already tamed Lionel Messi - coming from behind to draw with Argentina in Moscow - and victory over Nigeria would have left them on the brink of the knockout stage. Instead they are not in control of their destiny after wilting in the Volgograd heat. It had started well for Iceland, Sigurdsson forcing two saves from nineteen-year-old keeper Francis Uzoho inside the opening five minutes; as many shots on target as they managed in ninety minutes against Argentina. Yet they faded and were distinctly second best after the interval. Iceland were gifted a chance to score in the closing stages after Tyronne Ebuehi's eightieth-minute foul on Alfred Finnbogason. But Sigurdsson's penalty, awarded after a VAR review, summed up his country's day, flying high and wide.
Switzerland took a huge step towards the last sixteen of the World Cup as Xherdan Shaqiri scored a brilliant solo ninetieth-minute winner against Serbia. The Dirty Stoke player collected the ball near the halfway line before dribbling away from the defence and slotting past Serbia goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic. Granit Xhaka had scored a brilliant equaliser for Switzerland after Aleksandar Mitrovic put Serbia in front with a header in the fifth minute. Serbia, who had a strong claim for a second half penalty turned down, had dominated the first half, knowing a win would have confirmed their place in the knockout stages. Switzerland are now level with Brazil on four points at the top of Group E, in second place due only to an inferior goal difference. They will qualify for the last sixteen with a draw against Costa Rica, who have already been eliminated, in their final game. If Switzerland win, Serbia must beat Brazil in their final game to progress. Switzerland had been outplayed in the first half as they struggled to create going forward and seemed unable to contain constant Serbia attacks. Striker Haris Seferovic was substituted at half-time having had just five touches and that move seemed to spring Switzerland into life. Xhaka drove a powerful strike from the edge of the box past the stranded Stojkovic to equalise in the fifty second minute and soon after Shaqiri hit the post with a curling effort from the edge of the box. Shaqiri was far more influential in the second half - capitalising on poor defending for the winning goal when Serbia left themselves exposed at the back as they pushed for a winner of their own. The forward was left one-on-one with Dusko Tosic on the halfway line and he was too quick for the Serbia centre-back after Mario Gavranovic found him with a through ball. Shaqiri and Xhaka celebrated their goals wildly - strikes made even more emotional as both are of Kosovan descent. After the break-up of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, Serbia responded to separatist pressure from Kosovo by launching a brutal crackdown on the territory's Albanian population, which ended with NATO military intervention in 1999 - while the country became independent from Serbia in 2008. Xhaka's father spent three-and-a-half years as a political prisoner in the old Yugoslavia while Shaqiri was born in Yugoslavia before emigrating to Switzerland as a child. Both appeared to make an eagle gesture with their hands as they celebrated, a symbol of the two-headed eagle on the Albanian flag. Shaqiri also sported a Kosovan flag, stitched onto his boots and was booed by the Serbia fans when his name was read out before kick-off. Asked about his players' celebrations, Switzerland's Bosnian-born manager Vladimir Petkovic said: 'You should never mix football and politics, it's important to be a fan and to give respect.It was a wonderful atmosphere and that's what support should be about. ' Serbia had impressed in their opening-round win over Costa Rica, and in the first half against Switzerland they produced one of the most potent attacking displays seen so far in Russia. Mladen Krstajic's side were led by the impressive Mitrovic whose goal was his eighteenth in twenty six games for club and country in 2018, having impressed in helping Fulham achieve promotion from the Championship during a loan spell last season. The striker had already shown his aerial prowess moments before he headed in Dusan Tadic's cross when he forced a good save from Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer. He also set up Tadic for a chance shortly before the break and even tried an ambitious overhead kick as he brimmed with confidence. After the break Serbia did not have the same control of the game but Mitrovic still could have won a penalty midway through the second half. Two Swiss defenders appeared to have hold of his shirt as he challenged for the ball but the referee waved away the appeals and did not view the touchline monitor for a video review.
The head of the Serbian Football Association has accused governing body FIFA of 'showing bias' against his country at the World Cup. So, that's his shit looking at a lifetime ban, then. Slavisa Kokeza claims Serbia were 'victims of a brutal robbery' during Friday's loss to Switzerland, accusing FIFA of 'directing' officials to 'work against them. We will send a protest to FIFA today,' Kokeza told the BBC on Saturday. A FIFA spokesman confirmed a letter of protest had been received but that no further comment would be made. Until, obviously, the whinge is dismissed out-of-hand and Kokeza gets his own ass handed to him in a sling. Kokeza was 'unhappy' a German referee had been appointed for a game involving Switzerland, claiming the move 'influenced some decisions,' most notably the failure of the match official and video assistant referee to award a penalty when Aleksandar Mitrovic was wrestled to the ground by two Swiss players. 'I do not think this is only about VAR, but that the whole thing was directed by the people who appoint referees,' Kokeza claimed. 'We all know too well that more than half of Switzerland's population is German. Technical staff, players, people in Serbia, they are all disappointed and frustrated because of injustice some people at FIFA came up with.' Asked how he wanted FIFA to respond, he replied: 'It is clear to Europe and the world that Serbia was brutally robbed. I do not expect FIFA to take action in order for this brutal robbery not to happen again, because, I repeat, it was all directed.' Kokeza also criticised the 'double eagle' celebration given by Switzerland's two ethnic Albanian goalscorers, describing the actions as 'scandalous and shameful.' Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri made the gesture, which is a nationalist symbol representing the double-headed eagle on Albania's national flag. 'It deserves to be condemned by the whole football world,' Kokeza added. 'It was not the only provocation by the Swiss players. One sufficient detail was the football boots of one of their players - the boots had a flag of a non-existing country displayed on them. We expect FIFA to impose sanctions against the players who acted against rules of FIFA and fair play, as well as against the national association of the country they play for.' FIFA confirmed on Saturday that disciplinary proceedings had been opened against Xhaka and Shaqiri, as well as the Serbian FA for the conduct of their fans and Serbia head coach Mladen Krstajic for alleged statements made in the aftermath.
Javier Hernandez scored his fiftieth international goal to help Mexico take a big step towards the last sixteen of the World Cup with an impressive win over South Korea, despite Son Heung-Min's stunning late strike. Having upset defending champions Germany in their opening game in Group F, Mexico proved again they will be a test for any side should they reach the knockout stages. They took the lead through Carlos Vela's penalty - the fourteenth of the tournament thus far - on twenty six minutes after Jang Hyun-Soo's handball. Although they dominated possession against lacklustre opponents, Mexico also displayed their thrilling counter-attacking game with their second goal, when West Hamsters United striker Hernandez added a neat finish to Hirving Lozano's surging run. As South Korea's sole threat, it was fitting that Stottingtot Hotshots striker Son gave his side fleeting hope in added time with a sublime, curling strike from twenty yards. The Koreans, also had Moon Seon-Min in their starting line-up. The Son and the Moon. That's madness. Mexico have reached the round of sixteen for the last seven successive World Cups, a record which stretches back to 1994. However, they have not gone further during that time, their only two quarter-final appearances coming in the World Cups they hosted in 1970 and 1986. This quick side, gifted on the counter-attack but, also, comfortable in possession - albeit under minimal pressure here - have the chance to end that streak. The second goal epitomised the threat of Vela, Hernandez and Lozano in attack. When the latter drove into space, Vela drew away to the right as the ball went left to Hernandez, who checked back and clipped low past South Korea keeper Cho Hyun-Woo. The defence remains a worry and the flaw that could end their run in the tournament. Centre-backs Hector Moreno and Carlos Salcedo made a series of tremendous blocks, but substitute Rafael Marquez's woeful attempted back pass nearly gifted Son a goal on seventy six minutes.
Toni Kroos' injury-time winner against Sweden revived defending champions Germany's hopes of becoming the first side to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962. Ola Toivonen's deft first-half lob had left Joachim Löw's side facing elimination but Marco Reus, starting in place of Mesut Özil, prodded in an equaliser as Germany assumed control after the interval. The misfiring champions then had Jerome Boateng sent off late on for a second yellow card but continued to chase the game knowing a draw left their fate in others' hands. The Swedes, meanwhile, despite their man advantage and to the frustration of everyone in the world that wanted to see the Germans defeated - which was, basically, everybody non-German - sat too deep, gave their opposition far too much respect and, criminally, failed to capitalise on Germany being down to ten men. And they were punished in the final minute of five added on when Kroos swept a free-kick into the top right corner from the left of the penalty area. The magnitude of the moment saw the euphoric German players run to rejoice in front of their own fans while the Sweden players slumped to the floor, some close to tears. The useless, capitulating, snivelling Swedish cowards. There were also angry exchanges in the technical area with Sweden's coach, Janne Anderson, reportedly upset by the exuberance of the celebrations taking place in front of him and one or two gestures which may, or may not, have occurred in his general direction. The result means that all four teams in Group F can still qualify for the next phase, with the outcome to be decided at venues six hundred miles apart on Wednesday when Mexico face Sweden in Ekaterinburg and Germany play South Korea in Kazan. At half-time it looked as though it was to be a black, sorry night for Germany in Sochi on the coast of the Black Sea and, in the words of the ITV commentator, 'a mid summer night's dream,' for the Swedes. It seemed perfectly possible that Germany could lose back-to-back games at a finals for the first time since 1958 and become the fourth champions in the past five tournaments to exit at the first-round stage. Static defending was a characteristic of Germany's opening defeat by Mexico, who cut through and round them with nimble interchanges and one-touch play. While the Germany coach made four changes, including two to his back four, the same pattern was in evidence against the Swedes. Emil Forsberg's exquisite turn left the entire German backline floundering early on and moments later Marcus Berg raced clear only to be pulled back by Boateng as he bore down on goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, the Swedes complaining that they should have had a penalty. Germany's deficiencies only grew more apparent, with Kroos sloppily giving away the ball inside his own half to start the move that led to Sweden's goal. Viktor Claesson's pass found Toivonen and suddenly Germany appeared on the brink of exiting the World Cup at the first-round stage. But with Löw urging his side on from the technical area there was a noticeable increase in tempo following the introduction of Mario Gomez at the interval. And when Gomez was unable to reach Timo Werner's cross, Reus followed up to level the score, restore some belief to the rattled Germans and visibly relieve the tension on manager and supporters inside the Fisht Olympic Stadium.
Japan and Senegal remain well placed to reach the knockout stage of the World Cup - and a potential last-sixteen date with England and/or Belgium - after a very entertaining draw in Ekaterinburg. Sadio Mane put Senegal ahead from close range after an awful mistake by Eiji Kawashima, the ball flying past the Japan keeper after his attempted punched clearance hit the Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haws forward. Japan were level before half-time through Takashi Inui's lovely curling finish, before Yuya Osako hit the crossbar. Nineteen-year-old defender Moussa Wague thought he had sealed Senegal's second straight Group H win with a fine finish from an angle, but substitute Keisuke Honda salvaged a point for Japan moments after coming on. Japan and Senegal both have four points after two games. Despite another point, Senegal will be disappointed they could not follow up their two-one win over Poland in the opening match by becoming the first African side to win two group games since Ghana in 2006. But, sixteen years on from their debut World Cup, The Teranga Lions continue to win new fans in Russia with their flair and skill. While Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia are already making plans to return home after failing to secure a point, Senegal can still ensure Africa has at least one representative in the last sixteen. However, Aliou Cisse will have beeen frustrated his players failed to build on Mane's opener after Kawashima's howler. Senegal were well in control but failed to build on their strong start and Inui's smart finish, after Yuto Nagatomo created the chance, saw Japan draw level with their first shot on target. Even after Wague restored Senegal's advantage with a sweeping finish, they were unable to see the game out - keeper Khadim N'Diaye's failed clearance leading to Honda's equaliser. In 2002, the likes of Henri Camara and El Hadji Diouf helped Senegal reach the quarter-finals under Bruno Metsu. If Senegal's class of 2018 hope to emulate that achievement they will have to cut out the mistakes. Japan were one of the first teams to book their place in Russia, qualifying last August. Having gone out early in Brazil four years ago with one point, they now have four at this tournament and could be set for an extended stay. They started slowly and Kawashima's blunder threatened to prove costly. However, Japan regained their composure and took control before the interval before wasting a glorious chance to take the lead for the first time with the game at one-one, Osako failing to connect right in front of Senegal's net. Japan were gifted their equaliser by Senegal's keeper, with Honda now the top-scoring Asian player in World Cup history, netting four goals in nine appearances in the competition. However, they deserved that moment of fortune after a hard-working performance.
Radamel Falcao scored his first World Cup goal as Colombia got their tournament in Russia up and running with an impressive victory that ended a lacklustre Poland side's hopes of reaching the last sixteen. Yerry Mina headed in James Rodriguez's cross shortly before half-time to put the South Americans ahead. Falcao, who missed the finals four years ago with injury, then broke through in the second half before driving a low strike into the far corner and Juan Cuadrado capped off a fine team performance with an accomplished finish after racing on to James' sublime ball behind the static Poland defence. It was a much improved performance by Colombia following the disappointing two-one defeat by Japan in their Group H opener and will give their fans hope they can at least match their run to the quarter-finals in 2014. In contrast, this was another very disappointing display by the much-fancied Poland, who lost to Senegal in their group opener. Robert Lewandowski, making his World Cup debut in Russia, struggled with a lack of service throughout, the Bayern Munchen striker going closest in the final few minutes when a long-range effort was tipped over by David Ospina. Poland cannot now catch either Japan or Senegal, who have four points from two games. Colombia have three points and play Senegal on Thursday knowing a victory could secure top spot in the group. It was four years ago to the day that Colombia thrashed Japan four-one to finish top of their group at the 2014 World Cup - a result which made many observers stand up and take notice of the South Americans as genuine contenders. They went on to reach the last eight in Brazil, with James scoring six goals to claim the tournament's Golden Boot and, in this victory, both the team and the player were back to their best after some underwhelming performances over the course of the past four years. Injury denied the Bayern Munchen star a place in the team as Colombia lost their opening group game in Russia but he returned to the starting line-up with vim and vigour against Poland and provided the creativity his side so badly lacked in their previous outing. He had the vision and technique to unlock a flat Poland defence just as a first half light on chances looked set to end goalless, clipping a pinpoint cross to Mina, who headed in from close range. But his pass for Colombia's third was even better, taking out three defenders to find Cuadrado with a whipped pass from the left wing, allowing the former Chelsea forward to charge unchallenged into the Poland box before finishing neatly. With six goals and four assists in his previous seven appearances for Colombia, James has been involved in more goals than any other player across the past two World Cups. If Colombia are to go far at a finals again then the twenty six-year-old maintaining this kind of form will be key. This has been Poland's first World Cup finals appearance in twelve years, but rather than grasping the opportunity and making their mark, they went out with something of a whimper. Lewandowski scored an incredible sixteen goals during qualifying - one more than Cristiano Ronaldo - but he was unable to carry that form into the tournament. A change in formation may have contributed to that. Having frequently played four-four-two in qualifying Poland lined up three-four-three against Colombia and it was clearly a formation in which Lewandowski did not feel comfortable. He often found himself isolated and having to drop back into midfield to help build attacks. Poland coach Adam Nawalka claimed: 'I think that our players really played their best until the very end of the game but we lost against a very strong team and this is what we have to accept. My opinion tonight: the match was pretty level until we conceded the first goal. Then we changed our system to a more offensive one and I'm very sorry and sad that we lost. Tomorrow is another day.'
Argentina's Word Cup squad is 'the worst in their history' and not even 'the best player in the world' can make them competitive, according to Ossie Ardiles. Thursday's defeat by Croatia has put Jorge Sampaoli's side at risk of an early exit from the tournament. World Cup winner Ardiles criticised Sampaoli's tactics and over-reliance on captain Lionel Messi. The former Argentine midfielder said the 'prestige' of the two-time World Champions had been 'thrown overboard. From world champion to being the worst national team in Argentina history. Where to begin?,' the former Stottingtot Hotshots player tweeted. Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina's final qualifying game to secure his country's place in Russia. But the Barcelona forward, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, has struggled so far in the tournament and missed a penalty against Iceland. After the Croatia defeat, Sampaoli said the rest of the team 'clouds Messi's brilliance,' adding: 'The team doesn't gel as well as it should.' Ardiles, who won the World Cup in 1978, called Sampaoli 'dreadful, arrogant and ignorant. Even having the best player in the world was not capable of creating a competitive team,' said Ardiles. 'Plan A of Sampaoli. Give the ball to Messi and wait for a miracle. If Plan A doesn't work, Plan B. Errr. There is no plan B. Let alone plan C or D. All the decline of recent times was hidden by this unrivalled genius [Messi].'
On 18 June, Luis Felipe Gómez worked for Colombian airline Avianca Cargo as the regional manager of Europe-Asia. A day later, a video showing a group of Colombians drinking alcohol they had sneaked inside a World Cup stadium inside a pair of binoculars 'went viral.' (That means it was watched by more than a handful of people on social media.) One day after that, Gómez was identified as one of the people in the video and was subsequently dismissed by his employers for accepting a drink, despite the fact that - according to his own claims - he barely knew the people who had smuggled it in. Gómez can be seen in the video wearing a cap, with flags painted on his face and taking the first drink according to Colombian news source Pulzo. The video was posted in good humour - a group of football fans showing off their novel ruse to sneak alcohol inside Russia's Mordovia Arena before Colombia's defeat by Japan.
When former Barcelona footballer Carles Puyol accepted a spot to provide World Cup commentary on Iranian television, he probably did not think his trademark long curly hair would be cause for concern. The footballer was billed to feature in a Channel Three 'special' for the Iran versus Spain match on Wednesday, alongside host Adel Ferdosipour. But after travelling to Iran and to the IRTV Three Tehran studio, Puyol was reportedly denied entry. A clearly frustrated Ferdosipour, left to host the programme without his Spanish counterpart, told viewers before the match: 'You must be aware that Carles Puyol was scheduled to be with us tonight. However, he is in his hotel right now. I did everything I could but it didn't happen. I apologise,' ISNA news agency said. Initial media reporting of the footballer's absence focused on speculation that Puyol's appearance fee was too high - but on Thursday a different story emerged. Puyol was told by the state broadcaster IRIB he could not appear in the programme 'because of his looks,"'according to news website Entekhab, who quoted the footballer. Iran has no 'official hairstyle policy' but state TV is strictly against broadcasting anything considered 'unconventional' or 'un-Islamic' by The Clergy and the conservative establishment. The Iranian Football Federation's code of conduct, the Charter of Ethics and Behaviour, says that players must not sport hairstyles which 'help spread foreign culture' and footballers are occasionally warned for hairstyles deemed 'inappropriate' by the authorities. The bizarre news prompted many on social media to criticise the broadcaster. 'You have disgraced us around the world, IRTV Three,' tweeted reformist journalist Saba Azarpeyk. One Aaaamiraz - whoever he or she is - asked the question on many people's minds: 'Had you not seen Puyol before you spent a ton of money and invited him, only to ban him from appearing on TV?' Like others taking the opportunity to mock Iran's policies in general, Aaaamirza also pondered, 'Didn't the prophet of Islam [Muhammad] have long hair?' Mister and/or Ms Aaaamiraz is, currently, waiting about a million lashes from The Chastisement-Mullah Pursuivant for his naughty and wicked blasphemous ways. Hair like Jesus wore it, hallelujah, I adore it. This is not the first time long hair has caused controversy on TV in Iran. Two years ago, Peyman Hosseini, the national beach football team's goalkeeper, was not allowed to appear on TV because of his flowing locks. When asked to wear his hair up, he refused.
