Argentina vs Switzerland. 1st July. 5pm. BBC1

[Marc Overmars]

Messi's path to becoming the undisputed GOAT continues.

[Master Splinter]

Messi .

Djourou's got this. Hopefully.

Come on Hingis, Federer and Wawrinka.

Prediction: Argentina 2-1 Switzerland (Garay, Messi, Drmic).

[Marc Overmars]

Aguero injured.

Off to the knackers yard for him I reckon.

Lavezzi starts in place.

[Niall_Quinn]

"Higuain, he WILL occupy defenders even though he's not scoring goals..."

"Giroud, poor...", even though he's occupying defenders AND scoring goals.

[Niall_Quinn]

I think police with assault rifles might have something to do with fans behaving themselves.

[Master Splinter]

"Higuain, he WILL occupy defenders even though he's not scoring goals..."

"Giroud, poor...", even though he's occupying defenders AND scoring goals.

You'd certainly see the reverse if Higuain had been our big money 'flop' signing. Although Higuain is a bit of a flop tbf. He has never impressed me in any game.

If Bif played for Stoke or Oldham, he'd be praised to the high heavens and they'd want him in the England squad alongside Andy Carroll.

[Niall_Quinn]

They can't show close-ups on Blatter on the big screen because every fan of every nationality reserves the biggest boo for him.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

I know it's only 12 mins in but Argentina are so meh really in attack despite their wealth of talent.


They'll win no doubt but as usual it'd be a moment of Messi individual magic to bail them out. Worst thing as well is that they'll probably get to the final because of the favourable matches in their half of the draw.

[Niall_Quinn]

Don't think anyone wants to admit it but the quality of football in this tournament is in the main low. Especially in the final third. They keep calling it the best World Cup ever, not sure what they mean by that but they can't mean in terms of the quality of the football. Remember the Argentine, Brazilian and several other teams of old, the passing, speed, fantastic goals. This World Cup isn't in the vicinity. So far no classic games. Some good games, but no classics.

[Master Splinter]

Don't think anyone wants to admit it but the quality of football in this tournament is in the main low. Especially in the final third. They keep calling it the best World Cup ever, not sure what they mean by that but they can't mean in terms of the quality of the football. Remember the Argentine, Brazilian and several other teams of old, the passing, speed, fantastic goals. This World Cup isn't in the vicinity. So far no classic games. Some good games, but no classics.

But Messi, Di Maria and Higuain are on the pitch, the football must be silky and sexy!

At least that's what the script has ordained, because in reality we know fuck all about football even though it's our job to watch it.