I can't get over how terrible that assist was from Zobnin. It's a fucking five yard pass and he underhits it, leaving Cheryshev with two defenders to beat when he should have had an open goal.

This Saudi team has got to be the weakest physically in the tournament

It’s Ramadan. Those boys are probably fasting

Fahad comes on for Saudi.

Saudi Messi apparently.

flobaba wrote:

It’s Ramadan. Those boys are probably fasting

They aren't.

Would be hell though if they were, I've been to St Petersburg during Ramadan and it was something unreal like 20 hours of daylight.

I think some of them chose to fast, it was made optional by Saudi FA.

Golovin is a star.

Nice goals from Cheryshev and Golovin. Good for the tournament too that the hosts get off to a good start.

Saudis were pretty pathetic. Golovin was excellent and Cheryshev with some very classy finishing. Glad it was a game worthy of the event at least, even if the overall standard was very low.

Saudi Arabia are awful. Those central defenders. The poorly positioned goalie. Uruguay are going to bury them

frusciante wrote:

should have bought golovin..he will be a star

Clrnc wrote:

Golovin is a star.

knew it

The Saudi team was absolutely pitiful. Seriously, i think a League 2 team could have beat them. They made a piss poor Russian team look like world beaters. They gave the ball away time and time again (in poor spots) Golovin was pretty good, but i'll reserve judgement until i see them play a real team. This was their easiest game that they needed to win to have the remotest shot of making it past the first round. If Salah (and Elneny) makes it back, Egypt should be a much sterner test

Gave the ball away is an overstatement. They weren't even collecting passes about a foot away from them.

arsedoc md wrote:

Gave the ball away is an overstatement. They weren't even collecting passes about a foot away from them.

true..  i noticed that at least 5 times..  was inches away and they couldnt get to it

Salah not starting for Egypt today. Must be not completely fit yet.

no real surprise actually.. im shocked he even made the bench.. shoulder injury must not have been nearly as bad as they made it out to be (or, they are desperate to have him available, so they are pushing him before he's ready).. have a bad feeling that he's gonna re-injure it

Torreira also starts on the bench for Uruguay. Elneny starts for Egypt. This is pretty much the only reason I watch group stages - to see Arsenal players.

Odd looking stadium with half the seats stretching beyond the roof like that.

Elneny is running around like a headless chicken not getting near the ball.