It is now time to switch to a new Money AM football blog as the world cup is now over and we all look to the future.....World cup 2010 is over, Bravo Espana, and Forlan, once again and bring on the new season !.....I never expected the last thread to be such a success...thanks all.... so this new one might go on for years without the need to edit the title...we shall see...

There were two excellent examples of VAR in use , the penalty awarded for Neymar then taken way rightly so and the non penalty for Iceland against Nigeria which was then given quite rightly , so i think when it gets more common it will be a credit .

I'm still trying to get my head around how VAR works.

I think, and I could be wrong, that any interventions towards the referee's decisions, or lack thereof, are all down to the four appointed and uniformed referees in the control room. No one else has any say.

What I would like to see, are players allowed to pressure the referee and make him have a look at the VAR.

In England's last match, Harry Kane was deliberately fouled and brought to the ground twice and in the penalty area. Pundits thought both fouls on Kane deserved a penalty - but one might have been an exception when, at the same time as one of these fouls on Kane, one of the England players also brought down a Tunisian opponent, thereby creating a 'tit for tat' and a foul neutralisation. IMHO, the England captain had two legitimate claims for a penalty with these but for some reason, the Colombian official Wilmar Roldan, waved them both away.

Here's a Tunisian, facing the wrong way and grappling Kane to the ground:



I would have hoped to see Kane make some sort of an appeal for a penalty himself. No doubt it's because he is a true and proper gentleman and doesn't even have ANY tattoos. :-)

I didn't know about 'foul neutralisations'. I always thought a foul is a foul and is always deservant of a free kick.

Please correct me if I've got this wrong.

Have a look at: https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/var-england-tunisia-harry-kane-foul-penalty/

Maybe they could give the captains two reviews like they do in cricket.

Die Mannschaft.

Go and win it now!!!!

39 minutes in and England are already 4-0 up against Panama.

Cor blimey!

45 minutes....penalty.

Harry takes it....

.....and it's 5-0

Tee hee hee.

England = Brilliant . Very well played.

...Never a moments doubt 😃

Excellent win...….but now much better teams await......England must now be as good at defending as in scoring goals.....

When's Gazza coming on ?…...oh I'm sorry I forgot.....we don't pick the best players.....sigh....times have changed.....

What a pulsating display by the Colombians tonight against Poland 3-0, the fitness level of the Colombians was 1st class for the whole game.

Let's be honest , we haven't played anyone yet , defence looks like it's got mistakes in it . so only when we meet a decent will we know .

As you say who knows?

Its cup football after all but so far you've got to hand it to Gareth

You're right Joe, Gareth is doing a good job and looks the part. However, I still consider Sterling a weak link, despite his energy, and Kyle Walker in a central role gives me the heebie-jeebies. He is fast but not the most intelligent and controlled player we have.
As for the Colombian game Stan, I thought some of those Polish blonds were the fittest in the stadium. Enough to think about becoming a remainer.

After last night I do hope Columbia qualify I’d like to see more of them.

Even the bookies are undecided on the Thurs outcome.
Belgium 9/5
England 19/10
Draw 2/1

At the pictures were you Stan? Must have been the late showing. :)

Iran v Portugal

Ronaldo doesn't score from a penalty kick. Why?

Well, the Iranian goalkeeper was two paces forward from his line when the ball was struck by Ronaldo.

Poor refereeing. I feel a bit sad for Ronaldo. These things are very, very important to him.

But 0-1 as I type.

Yes, but the penalty was well iffy anyway.

Ref didn't see, linesman didnt see, three trips to the VAR system?


Come on, if it waddles, quacks a lot and shits anywhere, it's probably a goose.

Who’s next? England are through to the last 16 of the World Cup but will only discover their opponents after the final round of group fixtures. Here's a look at England’s potential second-round opponents

The England side will now face either Japan, Senegal or Colombia in the first knockout stage.

Here are Press Association Sport's opinions on the sides they could face:

Japan
Shinji Kagawa has impressed in Japan's midfield

Form: The surprise leaders of Group H after two matches following an impressive defeat of 10-man Colombia and entertaining draw with Senegal.

Style: A fluid and counter-attacking side, with Shinji Kagawa and Makoto Hasebe moving the ball in midfield and looking to feed wingers Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui. Impressive going forward but a weak defence can be left exposed.

Look out for: Shinji Kagawa, Takashi Inui, Shinji Okazaki

Verdict: One to face

Senegal
Sadio Mane is key for Senegal

Form: Saw off Poland in their opener and then drew 2-2 in an entertaining clash with Japan.

Style: Another attractive side based on pace and power but with a bit of steel in midfield. Liverpool forward Sadio Mane is their chief threat up front but 19-year-old right-back Moussa Wague looks a handful out wide, charging forward and delivering dangerous crosses.

Look out for: Sadio Mane, M’Baye Niang, Moussa Wague

Verdict: One to face

Colombia
Radamel Falcao was on target as Colombia returned to form with an impressive defeat of Poland

Form: Bounced back after their unexpected defeat by Japan with a convincing 3-0 rout of Poland.

Style: A top-heavy attacking side that exploits its strengths with quick and incisive link-up play. The forwards in their 4-2-3-1 line-up, including 2014 tournament star James Rodriguez, boast individual quality to rival the best teams in the competition.

Look out for: Radamel Falcao, Juan Cuadrado, Juan Quintero

Verdict: One to avoid