This WC also needs a few proper freekick goals. So far the only one is the one from the Swiss where Benzema's cowardice gifted them a goal.

There's Messi upping the free kick goal tally with a lovely finish.

Didn't know where else to comment on the commentary, but I've really enjoyed watching the games with Sam Matterface and Clarke Carlisle commentating. Carlisle is a very measured switched on guy in general. Very good to listen to unlike some of the frankly embarrassing opinions and commentary from the like of Phil Neville and Robbie Savage.

He calls it as he sees it, using some agricultural language to boot, unlike those other twats who seem to be following a script.

Quality of games has picked up (Nigeria/Argentina, Portgual/USA, Ghana/Germany and Mexico's efforts) and for me this is turning into a solid World Cup. Need a few great games in the next rounds and a quality final now!

This is the best world cup ever!

http://www.football365.com/profile365/9361686/It-s-Been-A-World-Cup-Of-Wonder-And-Joy

And I should know I've seen a few of them in my time.
A great one should have shocks goals funny controversial and tragic incidents to showcase the human condition and this World cup has them all!

Probably the one to have run close to this was 1978, no England or Ireland but the Scots were there with "Ally's army" it had the Brazilian team complaining that Argentinians were purposely partying relentlessly outside their hotel to stop them from sleeping, Argentina (the hosts) needing to win by 6 goals to progress which surprise surfuckingprise they duly did beating- an up to that time- impressive Peru.
Then there was the truly bizarre incident when the Sheik of Kuwait watching his team getting mullered by France decided to walk onto the pitch in the middle of the game "just to talk to his team"
And of course some cracking long range goals.
But this one is well on its way to being a classic for the ages, it's particularly apt that it's in Brazil.
So enjoy, as the article says: We may not see the like of it again in our lifetime.

Every game is incredible and it's getting better and better every day. Love the quarter final lineup too (with 2 more teams still to be decided). Perfect mix of big teams, couple of dark horses and a complete surprise. Enough Arsenal players left to keep that aspect interesting too, although unfortunately all playing each other in the QF. And enough "cuntery" left for something to cheer against.

aren't too many cheaty teams left. robben and evra are flying the flag for scumbaggery, but that's about it

That's about right for the quarter finals. Wouldn't want half the teams being like that.

Biggus wrote:

This is the best world cup ever!

http://www.football365.com/profile365/9361686/It-s-Been-A-World-Cup-Of-Wonder-And-Joy

And I should know I've seen a few of them in my time.
A great one should have shocks goals funny controversial and tragic incidents to showcase the human condition and this World cup has them all!

Probably the one to have run close to this was 1978, no England or Ireland but the Scots were there with "Ally's army" it had the Brazilian team complaining that Argentinians were purposely partying relentlessly outside their hotel to stop them from sleeping, the infamous Battiston/Schumacher incident that made Shawcrosses assault on Ramsey look like a reasonable attempt to win the ball, Argentina (the hosts) needing to win by 6 goals to progress which surprise surfuckingprise they duly did beating- an up to that time- impressive Peru.
Then there was the truly bizarre incident when the Sheik of Kuwait watching his team getting mullered by France decided to walk onto the pitch in the middle of the game "just to talk to his team"
And of course some cracking long range goals.
But this one is well on its way to being a classic for the ages, it's particularly apt that it's in Brazil.
So enjoy, as the article says: We may not see the like of it again in our lifetime.

wasn't 78 rigged?

Well Doc as I said the Argentina/Peru game was a strange result, but by no means unique in terms of collapses by formerly impressive teams.
Some famous players like Cryuff and Brietner boycotted it in protest against the military junta who ruled the country at that time.
But I don't think the result was rigged, it was a very competitive and exciting competition.

The Peru v Argentina game was as rigged as can be, and since the Argies went on to win the whole thing I think rigged is an apt description.

Piss poor my ass.

We will miss Chile, Mexico, Algeria and USA. On another day they would have been in the quarters.

What a World Cup! Incredible!

Location and the atmosphere of the hosts matters even if you're not there. Makes me dread Russia and Quatar.

It also highlights how underwhelming South Africa was. Those fucking vuvuzelas. I'm not a fan of the 'give this country/region the world cup to spread the game' way of thinking. Call me selfish and Eurocentric but the World Cup should be in Europe, North America or South America.

Eh? Asia had great atmosphere as well.

Agree with you on South Africa though, it was horrendous.

Great John Nicholson article on F365.

http://www.football365.com/john-nicholson/9366253/The-World-Cup-Where-Physicality-And-Skill-Blend-Perfectly

We've known that tika taka has been terminally ill for a few years, well it has finally passed away now so all that remains is to bury its fetid corpse.

yea i can agree with that. good football is about the marriage of technique and athleticism. not many teams exemplified that better than our teams from 98-05.

great world cup so far on the pitch.

off the pitch, the corruption within and around fifa does spoil it for me somewhat. knowing that the world cup is an occasion for misuse of public funds to enrich kleptocrats and crony capitalists, while the global poor are used essentially as slaves...just so the rest of us can have a party? i'd feel a lot better if fifa were eliminated and replaced by a much more transparent and truly non-profit body.

What'd ya gonna do Kami, huge sums of money involved and high stakes indeed.
Of course corruption and organised crime is going to follow it.