2026 FIFA World Cup Final 8 Matches (Quarterfinals-Semifinals-Consolation-Championship Games)

18 called fouls and two cautions in the first half. The players want to play rugby. I'm guessing we'll get some shots when they decide to player soccer.

 

Elfath usually communicates with the players pretty well. I don't think the cards came as a surprise to them and I suspect he's warned the captains that the second half will be called more tightly. There have been a few refs who just flip the switch from "whatever" to suddenly being a Vegas card dealer without verbal warning.

 

A lot of the fouls have been on the line. That's what these professionals do. Fouling is part of the game.

If Elfath had handed out 9 yellow cards it would be a completely different game. But this is about the teams not how big the ref's dick is.

 

They shouldn’t play the national anthems in futbol, they represent a private entity, not a government, they represent the banner of their federation not the flag of the Country, but I guess patriotism is part of marketing.

 

Indeed. And if you're looking at 120 minutes of soccer - and anyone getting a red card (including 2 yellows) being suspended for the weekend's games - a "card happy" first half was never going to happen.

I'm sure Elfath and his handlers in Miami spent the last two days wargaming this.

There was never going to be a perfectly refereed version of this game. Especially the first half.

The players and their coaches know all of this as well.

I think Elfath has done as well as could be expected. At a certain point it's up to the players to start trying to score goals.

 

Blame Major League Baseball.

During the latter stages of The Great War as rationing had started to affect the United States - including critical supplies for transportation like fuel and rubber - there was some consideration given to pausing the American League and National League. The owners of the baseball teams started playing the Start Spangled Banner before games as a cynical marketing ploy to show how patriotic they were (while keeping the money flowing).

Since then it has spread as a cheap and easy way to wrap oneself in the flag. And it's gone full international in the century since then.

 

I saw at least one forearm to the back of the head and one kick to the back of a calf, and neither was called at all, much less carded. It’s not a power trip by the ref to at least call cynical fouls. Or to give yellows for yellow card offenses. Players who deliberately commit cardable offenses know that they’re at risk of getting carded. No basis for complaints if they do indeed get carded.

Also, it can lead to boring-ass soccer. Zero shots on goal in the entire half. Maybe they should be encouraged to spend more time kicking the ball, less time kicking shins.

 

Or continue to try and aggravate the other team so that they start retaliating and get red cards. That's what my money's on.

 

I've listened to 3 English commentators/presenters and 9 analysts, including Shearer, Rooney, Hart and Richards, and the England assistant manager and so far Rob Jones is the only one to even mention the referee.

 

If a ref cards one or two cardable offenses early, professional players will dial back the fouls. Nine cards won’t be necessary. I’m not talking about cards for dissent or for being a little late. I’m talking about stuff that often gets yellow carded because it can get players hurt and encourage retaliation.

 

Soccer just happened.

 

But nobody got hurt and there's been no retaliation.

 

Yet. Let’s hope it stays that way.

 

And there's a perfect yellow card.

 

Don't worry. Didn't last long.

 

The TSN halftime show started with a montage of the nastier challenges.

 

Oh, no ...

 

******** the world.

 

Inglaterra 1-0 Argentina

 

Messi’s gonna pull a lever and have that contract rescinded.

 

Yup

 

Something happened

 

Gordon!!!

Dude went from outside the bench to being an absolute must-starter.

 

Now Argentina is going to have to play soccer, or get dirtier and hope for an England red card.

 

Saw this earlier today. Anthony Gordon - fastest player at the World Cup: