Football (Soccer) Thread

[Josephus]

Was watching Malta v Russia yesterday and Malta has a couple players named Mbonga. I'm thinking they're ringers.

[Duque de Bragança]

Hungary v Poland - the Tamas derby

No, that would be Hungary v Romania. 

[Duque de Bragança]

Last upset:

Spain 1 Greece 1

A very limited Greek side manages to tie in Granada. Very nice goal by Morata, but Greece tied on a questionable penalty. No attack in the penalty was fouled, but a Greek player was hit after a save.
Fun fact: Greece has a naturalised Portuguese-origin player: Καρλος Ζεκα (Carlos Zeca).

80% ball possession for Spain vs 20% for Greece, more than 600 passes of course, as well.

[Tamas]

Hungary v Poland - the Tamas derby

It was quite the game, too.  Hungary went ahead 2-0, then probably woke up to the fact that this is ridiculous, and conceded two goals in a space of a single minute. Ended up 3-3.

[celedhring]

I would approve of Hungary being good at football again, the Magical Magyars is one of my favorite historical sides. Many of them came to play in Spain (and several for FC Barcelona) after 1956.

Before Messi, Barça's biggest legend was László Kubala, an Hungarian.

[The Larch]

Tifo's video on Wenger's proposal for changing the offside rule: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7woFOryHPQ

[celedhring]

Tifo's video on Wenger's proposal for changing the offside rule: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7woFOryHPQ

I fail to see how this change would reduce VAR stoppages. Seems to me you'd now be spending a lot of time checking whether a body part of the attacker is in line with the defender, instead of if any is offside.

[Admiral Yi]

I fail to see how this change would reduce VAR stoppages. Seems to me you'd now be spending a lot of time checking whether a body part of the attacker is in line with the defender, instead of if any is offside.

Agree.  You'd just be moving the crosshairs to the back of the attacker.

[Josquius]

These small distances can make all the difference. You have a better chance of running past someone if you start almost behind him rather than almost in front of him.

[Josephus]

oooh....Malta get an away point. World Cup baby.

[Liep]

oooh....Malta get an away point. World Cup baby.

Faroe Islands too. And Luxembourg won against Ireland. Is this pointing towards us losing to Moldova at home?

[Josephus]

oooh....Malta get an away point. World Cup baby.

Faroe Islands too. And Luxembourg won against Ireland. Is this pointing towards us losing to Moldova at home?

[Duque de Bragança]

oooh....Malta get an away point. World Cup baby.

After leading by 2-0 vs Slovakia. 

If you needed some controversy yesterday, Serbia-Portugal was the place to be with the referee denying unfairly an extra time winning goal to Ronaldo, no less. Referee was probably far but the assistant or linesmen probably saw it.



Serbia 2 Portugal 2

Decent, under control first half-time by Portugal but Serbia woke up right after the beginning with the Portuguese changing too late his team to deal with the tactical changes on the Serbian side (hello Mitrovic). Given the game, a tie does not seem unfair, but is a bit of a disappointment for Portugal, specially after leading 2-0 thanks to a lethal Jota.

[Liep]

oooh....Malta get an away point. World Cup baby.

Faroe Islands too. And Luxembourg won against Ireland. Is this pointing towards us losing to Moldova at home?

Indeed, 30 minutes in and we're up 3-0.

[Liep]

The national team is protesting Qatar tonight by playing in new jerseys that somehow supports migrant workers.