Off Topic International Match Thread

Arjen Robben has anounced his retirement from international football at the ripe old age of 63. The winger has thanked all those involved with the Dutch team, and says that he will spend the last few years of his career trying to reverse his gradual metamorphisis into Sir Patrick Stewart.

 

I see that the BBC is leading with the headline "Football owes the world cup to Messi".

Would that be the same football that took in a young, un-academic boy with a condition that stunted his growth, funded expensive hormone treatment, paid for his entire family to relocate to a different continent, and helped him to become a multi-millionaire despite a dearth of any other employable talents?

Oh yes, it would.

 

What about Fazio.......and Otamendi and the rest of their defence? Argentina have made it to the WC but they weren't struggling for no reason. The side that Maradonna dragged to victory in '86 was limited but nowhere near this bunch. Supposedly, there's a chance that 25% could make it to the finals. despite having played no real senior football at all.

Good to see Columbia make it for Davinson Sanchez's sanity, after Ospina tried so hard to chuck it away. There's a boy who doesn't like losing.

 

Somewhere in the Democrat bunker, one potential candidate is considering a campaign motto of Make America Qualify Again.

 

Gotta be some MAQArena joke potential there.

 

I appreciate your thoughts. I must be the world's worst USMNT fan. I feel mild satisfaction when they succeed, and gloat gleefully when they fail. It's no good when fandom doesn't lead to suffering...

Ha ha not like Mexico were saying, build a wall in front of your goal, you fat orange clown...

 

Bruce Arena outright blaming Trump for inspiring their opponents to stuff them probably means he'll be sent to the gulag.

Oh, wait, he already coached in the MLS, didn't he?

 

Two crazy goals and out go the US.
The first via an American sticking his foot out for the ball to cannon over the goalie and beneath the crossbar. The second goal was a hope for the best shot from miles out that behaved like a balloon,again over the goalie and beneath the bar.
Someone will be "punching in" a goal next!

 

Someone "punching in" a goal next.No! That couldn't happen,could it? That's illegal!!!!!!?

 

You forgot Panamanian ballboys punting the ball into the stands when it went out of play

 

Well.......there was a goal " scored" by a certain Geoff Hurst that debatedly may not have crossed the line but allowed via a Russian linesman (that possibly didn't like the Germans!).

 

There's definitely nothing funny about the fact that Fox Sports paid $400m for the broadcast rights to the World Cup, only to see the USA of America fail to qualify...

 

They've still got the ladies!

 

Basically all they've got now is those New Yorkers who claim to be Irish or Italian - since the Mexican fans will be watching their games on the Spanish-language networks.

 

There used to be some excellent coaches in Scotland but sadly they've all departed along with Gordon Strachan. Is David Moyes available to take the Scotland job?

 

Yes

 

Probably be the next then.

 

I hope they take Southgate.

 

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says he would like to manage England one day. (Daily Mail)

If you think about it, he already does manage England!