WORLD CUP FINAL: France v Croatia, 4pm BST, BBC and ITV

[Mac76]

Seemed like this was missing for some reason...?

I reckon France will win but Croatia have found what it takes to get this far so it could be close - as long as it's a good game i don't mind who wins

[Globalgunner]

France winning is a given. Dont believe a Croatia defence including that knucklehead Lovren can keep the French attack out.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

https://twitter.com/Hustler_Futbol/status/1018176350358650880


Breaks my heart tbh.

>Only French player decent enough to go and sign autographs for the waiting fans
>No one wants his autograph

French fans don't deserve this god!

[Marc Overmars]

Come on Croatia.

[SMatthews]

Glad the title is partly in capitals. Might’ve missed this otherwise.

Fuck you France and time for Croatia to bring it home.

[Mac76]

https://twitter.com/Hustler_Futbol/status/1018176350358650880


Breaks my heart tbh.

>Only French player decent enough to go and sign autographs for the waiting fans
>No one wants his autograph

French fans don't deserve this god!

Wow those 'fans' are trash

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Giroud hasn't had a single shot on target?

I was giving him 100% more credit by saying he had registered one.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

They're showing Belgium v England highlights on BBC.

Why?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Ultimately England lost more games than Saudi Arabia. The romanticism has gone now.

[Marc Overmars]

https://twitter.com/Hustler_Futbol/status/1018176350358650880


Breaks my heart tbh.

>Only French player decent enough to go and sign autographs for the waiting fans
>No one wants his autograph

French fans don't deserve this god!

Giroud. :haha:

[Mac76]

They're showing Belgium v England highlights on BBC.

Why?

They're probably a lot cheaper than shoqing earlier France and Croatia ones

[McNamara That Ghost...]

France: Lloris, Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez, Pogba, Kante, Matuidi, Griezmann, Mbappe, Giroud..

Croatia: Subasic, Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic, Brozovic, Rakitic, Modric, Perisic, Rebic, Mandzukic.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Pavane. :cloud9:

France '98. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Petit. :bow:

MotM.

[SMatthews]

Hopefully Mbappe has a stinker. The narratives they build around some players are insufferable.

[Mac76]

Hopefully Mbappe has a stinker. The narratives they build around some players are insufferable.

Sure, but's that's not his fault, he's good to watch in full flow so i'd rather he played well tbh....

[Master Splinter]

Giroud hasn't had a single shot on target?

I was giving him 100% more credit by saying he had registered one.

The shot that was tapped in by Mbappe against Peru was surely on target, even if it was deflected?

And I think he had one blocked against Argentina late on that looked like it was going in, but those for some reason never count.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Shearer with his biggest understatement ever:

"I mentioned pace".

[McNamara That Ghost...]

The shot that was tapped in by Mbappe against Peru was surely on target, even if it was deflected?

And I think he had one blocked against Argentina late on that looked like it was going in, but those for some reason never count.

That's what I thought.

Lineker. :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

The Ecstacy of Gold. :bow:

Here comes Metallica!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

La Marseillaise. :bow:

[Mac76]

The Hood from Thunderbirds is in the director's box again...

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Keown co-commentating. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Croatia dominating so far.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Rebic hacks down Pogba.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Perisic scuffer. :haha:

[Globalgunner]

All Croatia atm

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Perisic can't bring it down Bergkamp style.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Who has Putin decided that will win?

He's in the stadium.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Perisic can't bring it down Bergkamp style.

There is only one man that ever could.

[Mac76]

Perisic wasting some good moves

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Poor cross, Varane easily clears.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Perisic knocked out.

[SMatthews]

Should be a red for Hernandez. Mostly because he’s a cheaty little prick.

[Mac76]

Should be a red for Hernandez. Mostly because he’s a cheaty little prick.

Or a yellow for the griezman dive

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Mbappe nearly creating something.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Get up Griezmann.

[Globalgunner]

Greaseman with a slick dive...goal

[SMatthews]

Shitty goal for a shitty bit of cheating.

Mandzukic chasing that golden boot.

Game over.

[Marc Overmars]

Mandzukic own goal :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

France 1-0 Croatia, GRIEZMANN!!!!

[Mac76]

Croatia unlucky, a really dodgy free-kick decision

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Will it be an OG?

[Mac76]

Now a croatia freekick :popcorn:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Vida clears it.

[Mac76]

Bif handball :haha:

[Master Splinter]

Was it definitely a dive for the free-kick?

Haven't seen a replay.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Lovren sleeping, Bif helps out by punching it.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Would've been the greatest goal of all time, Rakitic sends it sky high.

[Mac76]

Was it definitely a dive for the free-kick?

Haven't seen a replay.

Went down VERY easily drom a nothing tackle

[Globalgunner]

Was it definitely a dive for the free-kick?

Haven't seen a replay.

Definitely. Dele Alli would have been proud

[Master Splinter]

Come on Croatia then.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Kante booked. Scrote.

[Master Splinter]

PERISIC!!!

[Mac76]

Perisic :lol:

[Globalgunner]

Lovely goal. Perisic!!!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

France 1-1 Croatia, PERISIC!!!!

[Marc Overmars]

Great hit!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Deschamps. :haha:

[SMatthews]

Thank god for that.

I thought France were about to Deschamps their way to victory.

[I am invisible]

Didn’t know who I wanted to win until the game started - definitely Croatia though! Actually punched the air when they scored...

[Power n Glory]

How many times will Giroud lose the ball? His hold up play is terrible.

[Mac76]

French lovetrain :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Matuidi nearly pubs it in.

Appealing for handball from Perisic?

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Croatia have a habit of coming back in this tournament! Against, Denmark, Russia and against us. Won't be surprised if they do this.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I don't think that can be given.

Shut up Keown.

They're looking at it.

[Marc Overmars]

I think that’s a penalty

[Mac76]

Matuidi nearly pubs it in.

Appealing for handball from Perisic?

Could be close

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Would be harsh for that to be given. Especially in the WC final.

[SMatthews]

Should never have been a penalty.

France are a shitshow relying on dives,OG’s and dodgy penalties.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

He gives a pelanty to France.

Macron had a word.

[Marc Overmars]

Penalty! :haha:

[Power n Glory]

That is bullshit.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Ridiculous.

[Mac76]

Penalty by var, hoddle doesn't agree, did hit his hand fast, seems a bit harsh IMO

[Globalgunner]

Surely it has to be intentional to be a pen?

[Marc Overmars]

Greaseman!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

France 2-1 Croatia, Griezmann with his second. :sick:

[SMatthews]

France will Deschamp it after all. Disgraceful way to win the WC.

[Globalgunner]

Stinks

[Globalgunner]

Matuidi handled it as much as Perisic

[Mac76]

Two jammy goals for france, they seem to have inherited england's luck, this match is beginning to have a bad taste to it

[I am invisible]

Never a pel - nothing but Croatian players behind Perisic. Hand or not, wouldn’t have changed a thing there...

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a chance for Rebic! Mandzukic sleeping too.

[Master Splinter]

Griezmann trying to outdo Kane in the shittest top scorer ever stakes.

Three pelanties and a fluke so far.

Just needs to pub it in from two set-pieces now.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Rebic drops the Ashes!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Hernandez booked, the little shit.

[Mac76]

Definitely want croatia to win now

[Globalgunner]

Croatia have it within them to score again. plenty of time

[SMatthews]

Stinks

https://g8fip1kplyr33r3krz5b97d1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/h_53553192-1160x773.jpg

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Lovren hammered it, Pogba blocks close range.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Chaos in France's box.

[Mac76]

Umtit decides to get injured

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Umtiti is dead.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Time for Kos to save France.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Three added minutes.

[Globalgunner]

Whats the French for Pub?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Oh Vida!

[I am invisible]

Whats the French for Pub?
Wine bar?

[Mac76]

Hernandez :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

France 2-1 Croatia, HT.

Football is dying.

[I am invisible]

1 shot, 2 goals - can’t argue with that ratio, tbf

[Globalgunner]

Ref looked at it 5 times and still took a guess. Visually Addled Referee

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Shearer is wearing a full suit. :haha::haha:


Edit - They all are.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Horrible dive from Griezmann.

[SMatthews]

Shearer is wearing a full suit. :haha::haha:


Edit - They all are.

Full suit wankers

[Master Splinter]

Griezmann wasn't this much of a shit at Sociedad was he?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

'This kid'.

He's 29, Rio.

[Xhaka Can’t]

This is so clearly fixed. I turned off the tv as soon as that cheat awarded the penalty. He made it look as if he was deliberating but his mind was made up as soon as he headed over to VAR.

He was stupid to make it look like he was deliberating and stupid to watch it in slow motion because only OBVIOUS infringements are meant to overturn the on field call.

Complete fucking bullshit. I’m done with it all.

[GP]

Whats the French for Pub?

Le Wetherspoons

[Mac76]

Lineker pointing out var is for a 'clear and obvious error', not a highly questionable handball

[McNamara That Ghost...]

They did the if it hits your hand it's a pel no matter what in Spain, it didn't work.

[I am invisible]

Lay off the Doctor Who ads, ffs - no one gives a shit

[Master Splinter]

Keane on the verge of killing someone.

And Ratface The Elder is next to him......

[Mac76]

It can't work, because there will be times when your hand is against your chest, so it makes no difference to the ball getting past

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Goal of the Tournament is tough.

[Mac76]

Lay off the Doctor Who ads, ffs - no one gives a shit

Yeah their one advantage is not having to show ads, so they, err, show ads...

[I am invisible]

Yeah their one advantage is not having to show ads, so they, err, show ads...
To be fair, it was 30 seconds without Lineker and Shearer.

[I am invisible]

Goal of the Tournament is tough.
1st one for me - Nacho

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Griezmann shot, straight at Subasic.

[SMatthews]

No pressure Croatia but you have 45 minutes to save football.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

To be fair, it was 30 seconds without Lineker and Shearer.

Rio was in it though.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Great strike from Rebic, Lloris tips it over!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Yes Mowbray, Lloris invented being a sweeper keeper.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Oh Mandzukic.

Varane. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Vrsaljko. :haha:

[Globalgunner]

Mandzukic slow as a Newcastle train

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Subasic blocks from Mbappe. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Putin on the pitch.

[Marc Overmars]

Mbappe’s turn of pace :wacko:

[Marc Overmars]

Pitch invaders :haha:

[SMatthews]

Bet they were either feminists or lesbians.

Either way they’re now dead.

[Mac76]

And now pitch invaders as croatia attack, this is a conspiracy for sure...

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Lloris flaps at it.

[Globalgunner]

Mbappe has no need to ever buy a Ferrari. Hes way faster

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Kante hauled off, NzONzi.

Mowbray thought that might happen. :sarcy:

[Mac76]

Great defence from vida

[Master Splinter]

Yes Mowbray, Lloris invented being a sweeper keeper.

He's not even that good at it.

[I am invisible]

Croatia must have brought more than one striker with them, right?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Infantino signing balls.

France 3-1 Croatia, Pogba!

[Master Splinter]

:sick:

FFS.

[Mac76]

Bogba, just had to be... :rolleyes:

[SMatthews]

The worst World Champions in living memory.

[Globalgunner]

Im pretty sure its all over now. Sorry for Croatia

[Master Splinter]

Croatia must have brought more than one striker with them, right?

They sent one home.

[I am invisible]

Weak.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Bif still can't get it on target, Brozovic comes in to deny Griezmann.

[I am invisible]

They sent one home.
What for?

[Mac76]

This could get quite painful as croatia try to get back into it

[Master Splinter]

What for?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44524546

[McNamara That Ghost...]

France 4-1 Croatia, MBAPPE!!!

[SMatthews]

Now they can splaff all over this little cunt

[Mac76]

Oh well that's that, great goal but would he have had the chance if that penalty hadn't been given?

Total pub ref has ruined this game

[Mac76]

Only silver lining is if mbappe overtakes k*nt for the golden ball

[Marc Overmars]

Croatia. :rose:

France are very good.

[SMatthews]

Despite the cheating the commentators have the nerve to lavish this French team with praise?

This amount of talent, 33% of the ball and 6 shots on target. Joke of a team.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

France 4-2 Croatia, MANDZUKIC!!!

Lloris. :haha:

[Master Splinter]

LOLris :haha:.

[I am invisible]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44524546
Ah... for playing for Blackburn.

[Mac76]

Lloris :haha: :haha:

[Marc Overmars]

Lloris. :haha:

Fucking idiot

[McNamara That Ghost...]

All gone Spursy. :bow:

[I am invisible]

Original-sweeper-keeper wanker.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Rebic off, Kramaric on.

[Mac76]

Kramaric on, c'mon lad, get a hatter

[GP]

Lloris Karius

[Mac76]

Hoddle's right croatia need to throw everything they've got at lloris

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Matuidi off, Tolisso on.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Lloris Karius

Concussion. :bow:

[Power n Glory]

Lacazette should have been in this team.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Vrsaljko. :doh:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Almost comical?

[Mac76]

Vrsalko, what a tosser, wasting chances

[SMatthews]

Lacazette should have been in this team.

He’d be lucky to see the ball

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Rakitic fires it, touched off Varane but no corner given.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Handball by Mbappe surely?

He falls over later on. :haha:

[Mac76]

Rakitic fires it, touched off Varane but no corner given.

This game is fixed that's why

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Bif hauled off, Fekir on.

[Mac76]

Bif replaced by some other fekir

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Strinic off, Pjaca on.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

His groin was hanging off?

Perhaps an exaggeration, Keown.

[Power n Glory]

Not a shot on target for Giroud.

[Mac76]

Ref stops a croatia attack for the fuck of it, what a pub ref ffs

[SMatthews]

Croatia would be wholly justified in attacking the ref at full time.

[I am invisible]

Lacazette should have been in this team.
Yeah, shame for him. Better at hold up play, better movement, better finisher.

Kind of a moot point though, if France hold on for another 6 or so minutes...

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Step over Keown, not leg over.

[Mac76]

Croatia would be wholly justified in attacking the ref at full time.

Srsly i'd punch his fxking lights out

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fekir shoots, Subasic saves.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Shite from Rakitic.

[Mac76]

Tyldesly pointing out that Lloris has only won trophy - and that in france :haha:

[SMatthews]

A perfectly good World Cup ruined at the last by a referee who works in the Argentine league.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Five added minutes.

[Globalgunner]

Tyldesly pointing out that Lloris has only won trophy - and that in france :haha:

So the Narf Landan league championship doesn't count then?

[Mac76]

A perfectly good World Cup ruined at the last by a referee who works in the Argentine league.

Complete travesty, croatia have been the best team in the tournament for commitment, team play and actually consistent skill, am totally disgusted, and i thought i'd seen the lot in football

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Vrsaljko wipes out his club teammate Griezmann. :lol:

[SMatthews]

Should've studded his ankle

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Pogba. :haha:

[Master Splinter]

Pogba :haha:.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Get it in the mixer!!

[Mac76]

Oh and k*nt gets the golden boot, i'm giving up watching these tournaments after this, what a load of fucking shite

[Mac76]

Croatia should just walk out and not go through all the bulshit after the game to show what they think if it

[SMatthews]

Why don't you say that champagne one-liner one more time Martin?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

France 4-2 Croatia, FT!!!!

France win the World Cup for the 2nd time and fourth major tournament win overall for them!

Congrats to the ref. TWAT!

They did it for Kos though. :bow:

[Mac76]

Total bollocks

[Master Splinter]

It will go down as the World Cup single-handedly won by Olivier Giroud.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Griezmann crying. :doh:

[SMatthews]

Magnificent says Shearer.

France stepped it up second half, says Klinsmann.

Pogba was immense according to Rio.

What game were these guys watching? They're talking as if they dominated the game and all their talent finally showed their worth.

Just to recount: 34% of the ball, 7 shots on target.

Even Greece had more of the ball when they won the Euro's.

[Power n Glory]

Magnificent says Shearer.

France stepped it up second half, says Klinsmann.

Pogba was immense according to Rio.

What game were these guys watching? They're talking as if they dominated the game and all their talent finally showed their worth.

Just to recount: 34% of the ball, 7 shots on target.

Even Greece had more of the ball when they won the Euro's.

Spoken like a true Wenger pupil. Possession stats. :lol:

[Master Splinter]

Rami gets a World Cup winners medal, while Koscielny and Payet are crying at home.

[SMatthews]

Spoken like a true Wenger pupil. Possession stats. :lol:

Yes that was a joy to watch. Football in all its glory played by some of the most talented players, cheating their way to victory. The beautiful game.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fuck Harry Kane.

France stealing the Viking clap also. Irony.

[Power n Glory]

Yes that was a joy to watch. Football in all its glory played by some of the most talented players, cheating their way to victory. The beautiful game.

:doh: Why do did you even watch it? Switch it off if you're going to be bitter about it. You're only wasting your own time. Whose fault is that?

[SMatthews]

Why do any of those questions, or answers, matter to you?

[Power n Glory]

Why do any of those questions, or answers, matter to you?

They don't matter to me at all. It's something you can answer yourself without having to post on here.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Finally getting a presentation.

Putin had probably taken the trophy for himself.

[SMatthews]

They don't matter to me at all. It's something you can answer yourself without having to post on here.

You asked the questions so you have a motivation of some kind. Strange whatever it is.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Modric gets Player of the Tournament. :bow:

Mbappe with Young Player of the Tournament.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Refs get their rewards.

Looking out for a brown package. :ninja:

[SMatthews]

That hug from the President must surely get Modric off his perjury charge.

[I am invisible]

Finally getting a presentation.

Putin had probably taken the trophy for himself.
Probably making sure it’s full of bugs and listening devices...

[McNamara That Ghost...]

It's hammering it down. :haha:

[Power n Glory]

People walking in front of the camera to fuck up the money shot of the trophy being raised.:doh:

[Power n Glory]

Belgium's last minute goal against Japan won goal of the tournament for BBC.

[Marc Overmars]

All over for another 4 years. :upset:

Even the Euro's won't provide enjoyment in the interim now because they're bloated full of shite.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

At least some of the matches will be at Hampden and Wembley. :popcorn:

[GP]

I'm not watching the next one.

Hopefully the Associations will grow a spine and boycott the farce.

[Mac76]

Modric gets Player of the Tournament. :bow:

.

Some kind of minor justice for him at least, but hardly adequate in return for having been robbed of a WC winners medal

[Mac76]

Wimbledon letting players get so tired, through playing endless matches, they can't properly compete in the final

The Champions league won by a cheating c**t who took the opposition's key player out of the game

World cup lost by the best team thanks to one of the worst refereeing performances in history

Hate to think of the time i've wasted watching all the games leading up to these farces

Seriously considering not bothering in future

[The Emirates Gallactico]

https://i.imgur.com/8EyF5oM.png

:bow::bow:

Image to define the tournament tbh tbf.

[Marc Overmars]

Fuck him.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I fell asleep and woke up with 15 minutes to go. Modric must have played a blinder before I woke up because he might as well have not been on the pitch in the period I saw.

[Master Splinter]

Wimbledon letting players get so tired, through playing endless matches, they can't properly compete in the final

The Champions league won by a cheating c**t who took the opposition's key player out of the game

World cup lost by the best team thanks to one of the worst refereeing performances in history

Hate to think of the time i've wasted watching all the games leading up to these farces

Seriously considering not bothering in future

Have you just recently started watching sport?

[SMatthews]

Fuck him.

Amen to that. Chelsea scum now.

[Master Splinter]

I have no idea why Bif is loved so much, especially now more than ever.

He's reached the ultimate meme level and it seems everyone has just accepted him as a de facto cult god.

It makes no sense in any way.

But I'm fully behind it tbfh.

Bif :bow:.

[SMatthews]

Women wanna be him and men wanna fuck him.

[hobson's choice]

Spoken like a true Wenger pupil. Possession stats. :lol:

So true, how many saves did Lloris actually have to make.

[hobson's choice]

The narrative created in the post game by the pundits has been hilarious.

"Oh poor Croatia, they were hard done, France were so lucky, Croatia were the better team, that handball is a disgrace"<_<<_<

[Marc Overmars]

The penalty was a bit harsh but I don’t think the balance of play was so heavily in Croatia’s favour to say the best team lost. Just sounds like glorious failure to me from a nice and functional team but with no real and consistent threat in the final third. I don’t think they would have got anywhere near the final without being in the pub side of the draw and even en route to this final they made it a real struggle going to penalties and extra time in every game.

Meh, ordinary team with a few tidy players.

France are deserving winners.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

I have no idea why Bif is loved so much, especially now more than ever.

He's reached the ultimate meme level and it seems everyone has just accepted him as a de facto cult god.

It makes no sense in any way.

But I'm fully behind it tbfh.

Bif :bow:.

Was here for a good chunk of his career and always gave it 100% in every game which is more than can be said for most of our players. Not his fault that he's limited.


Plus he's a thoroughly likeable & decent guy. Not like he left on bad terms either like Cesc, RVP, Nasri, Cashley etc etc ....... don't see why we can't feel happy for the guy.

[Marc Overmars]

I have no affinity for Giroud at all but I could probably say the same for a lot of Arsenal players over the past 10 years. Maybe it’s because I’m older now and have no interest in hero-worshipping footballers like I did when I was a kid.

[AFC Leveller]

The World Cup comes to end.. a World Cup Arsenal dominated

Best goal: Xhaka against Serbia

Best midfielder: Torreira

Best assistant manager: Thierry Henry

Best pundit: Arsene Wenger

Best unused subtitute: Welbz

[Mac76]

Have you just recently started watching sport?

Ha, no, i'm just naive enough to think standards are supposed to be getting better...

Me: :pal:

[Mac76]

The penalty was a bit harsh but I don’t think the balance of play was so heavily in Croatia’s favour to say the best team lost. Just sounds like glorious failure to me from a nice and functional team but with no real and consistent threat in the final third. I don’t think they would have got anywhere near the final without being in the pub side of the draw and even en route to this final they made it a real struggle going to penalties and extra time in every game.

Meh, ordinary team with a few tidy players.

France are deserving winners.

C'mon, Croatia completely bossed it for a good 60 mins, but inevitably the ref's interventions turned the game because they had to try to come from behind

It's not the team with the best players that deserves to win, it's the team that plays the best football, consistently, and Croatia was that team for me, take the point about the draw but they still had a much harder route than, say, england

They beat argentina 3-0 remember, plus beating the home nation with the whole crowd against them and i reckon they'd have beaten germany and spain easily, and would have given brazil and portugal a run for their money too

[Letters]

This game is fixed that's why

By whom and to what end?

[GP]

By whom and to what end?

By Putin to destroy decadent capitalist pig

[Özim]

C'mon, Croatia completely bossed it for a good 60 mins, but inevitably the ref's interventions turned the game because they had to try to come from behind

It's not the team with the best players that deserves to win, it's the team that plays the best football, consistently, and Croatia was that team for me, take the point about the draw but they still had a much harder route than, say, england

They beat argentina 3-0 remember, plus beating the home nation with the whole crowd against them and i reckon they'd have beaten germany and spain easily, and would have given brazil and portugal a run for their money too

Don't really agree with this, Croatia did well in the first half, penalty for me was a tough one could have gone either way, he seemed to stick out his hand, but then it was also close. 2nd half France controlled it and had 2-3 more opportunities they should have scored, Croatia only scored through luck when Loris made a mess of it when France were cruising.

Best side (on the day and in terms of quality) won, I agree with MO their side of the draw was easy no big teams at all in the knockouts, that's unheard of in the World Cup, in all honesty they laboured through that side of the draw, even England could have beaten them if they'd put their chances away in the 1st half when they were on top.

They did well and all that but no doubt the better team won on the day, more quality, more goal threat, more chances.

[Letters]

I didn't actually see the final, watched the highlights this morning. Looked eventful.
The penalty was nonsense in my opinion but otherwise I don't know what you're all crying about.
France were the stand out team in this tournament, IMO. I expected them to win the final and they did.
Overall it wasn't a high quality tournament but France deserve to be champions. I'd buy allegations of fixing if Russia had won it, but they didn't.

[Özim]

I have no affinity for Giroud at all but I could probably say the same for a lot of Arsenal players over the past 10 years. Maybe it’s because I’m older now and have no interest in hero-worshipping footballers like I did when I was a kid.

Me neither, think he's rubbish frankly and should be nowhere near the France team. Typical Wenger player, some nice touches at times but a poor finisher, not a great amount of ability, we've seen his usual missed in this World Cup, even Chelsea want rid apparently now.

Glad we sold the guy to be honest, never good enough and it's embarassing we kept him as our number 1 striker for so long tbh.

[Letters]

:lol: Why do you lack the simplest ability to think in any other ways than black and white?
Giroud is not "rubbish", but he's not World Class. He's not the sort of player who will drag you to a title, or a World Cup.
As a squad player he did a good job for us, he scored a load of goals coming off the bench.

[Marc Overmars]

I didn't actually see the final, watched the highlights this morning. Looked eventful.
The penalty was nonsense in my opinion but otherwise I don't know what you're all crying about.
France were the stand out team in this tournament, IMO. I expected them to win the final and they did.
Overall it wasn't a high quality tournament but France deserve to be champions. I'd buy allegations of fixing if Russia had won it, but they didn't.

Some GW villains were successful, that usually means a faux outpour of annoyance. :lol: