OT World Cup USA versus Australia

[mostonmike]

So I know you all probably missed it but last night's game in the Azteca was up there as one of the greatest games of all time. It had everything that showcases what football is all about. And i challenge anyone who watched it not to fall in love with the game.

Mexico finally got through to a Game 5 effectively, and at home to England there was an intensity in the build up that no one had seen for some time. I understand their record at the stadium has been close to perfect in this century.

The game was delayed by an hour so England fans having to stay up until the 2am kick off was brutal and even worse for me I had a 6am flight to Bulgaria so we set off to arrive at.the airport for kick off time.

Then what a game.

England scored twice in 98 seconds in the second quarter (thats what many of us are now calling it) but of course typical England couldnt hold on until half time and Mexico pulled one back.

Second half and out comes all the FIFA corruption allegations again as a red card.for England looks like turning the game. Another one where he got the ball but made contact with opponent — it can go either way.

But England, wow they went and scored again with 10 men another penalty makes it 3—1 before Mexico got a more dubious spot kick to get back to 3—2. I think there was only 20 minutes on the clock and England had to hold on against a barrage of Mexico might to go through to the quarter finals and we could get our flight on time. It felt like 2 hours.

So the Quarter Finals are
France v Morocco
Portugal or Spain v USA or Belgium (that all plays out tonight)
England v Norway (after Norway put Brazil out)
Argentina or Egypt vs. Switzerland or Colombia

And one more thing. Our red card, Jarell Quansah. There won't be any campaigns to let him play. Even if it was Kane or Bellingham we would just have to get on with it and pick someone else.

Good luck tonight Team USA, with the time difference here in Bulgaria I am now 10 hours ahead of the West coast so its 3am kick off for me.....

[AT Fresno]

Interesting, The only place I've ever felt real uncomfortable was at a women's pro basketball game surrounded by a plethora of militant LBGTQs I believe.
I hear what Darren writes, but I don't know anything about soccer. Is this a real cultural issue in their game that the authorities keep failing to clean up? We have our own idiots in baseball and football stands too, but we call it out and punish it. Just feels like we shouldn't downplay it when it happens elsewhere."
And MostonMike..... you say you are in Bulgaria....my grandfather migrated from Sophia. I hear it's a dying country, especially in the west but that the women are very beautiful. I'd love to know more about Bulgaria.

[mostonmike]

Interesting, The only place I've ever felt real uncomfortable was at a women's pro basketball game surrounded by a plethora of militant LBGTQs I believe.
I hear what Darren writes, but I don't know anything about soccer. Is this a real cultural issue in their game that the authorities keep failing to clean up? We have our own idiots in baseball and football stands too, but we call it out and punish it. Just feels like we shouldn't downplay it when it happens elsewhere."
And MostonMike..... you say you are in Bulgaria....my grandfather migrated from Sophia. I hear it's a dying country, especially in the west but that the women are very beautiful. I'd love to know more about Bulgaria.

Football was generally the vehicle used for intense local rivalries to play out. One good example is Glasgow. Celtic are generally the Catholic club and Rangers the Protestants so the natural intensity that the two religions clash led to many decades of deep bitterness. So it wasn’t necessarily about the football. That would spill over into other local rivalries and even worse with national battles, England often the worse. It’s definitely cleaned up but there are still some games that are forbidden such as Armenia v Azerbaijan, Spain v Gibraltar, Kosovo v the other Yugoslav states, Ukraine v Belarus and of course Russia.

As for Bulgaria, it’s basically shifted from the old Eastern Bloc mentality to become part of the EU and even adopted the Euro currency in January. Prices do seem cheap so far as I can see on day 1. But will let you know.

[D-train]

The fact that religion is the primary source of almost all conflicts and Wars is the most ironic fact in entire Human history....

[DanielVogelbach]

I saw that Mexico vs England match. That was a good one.

USA goalie mistake vs Belgium was an all timer.