The GROUP A World Cup Thread - S Africa, Mexico, Uruguay & France

[rustybin]

I think the mods were happy with making a thread for each of the groups for discussion about those games.

Today's games are: -

South Africa v Mexico Kick-off 15:00 - ITV
Uruguay v France Kick-off 19:30 - BBC

I fancy Mexico to nick the first game and a high score draw for the second.

I'm hoping the French fall at the first hurdle, but they're a little blessed at the moment so I think they'll do well.

[unrealnils]

i think , shock horror france will get to the final

Intresting as a gooner to see Anelka and Henry upfront in the same team !

[Barnacle]

I have a French colleague who thinks it will be a miracle if they get past the Group Stages, he says the manager is crap and the players are not particularly confident.

[joconnor]

Evra was given the captaincy because Henry won't be starting.

[Roger Belly]

Two draws today, methinks.

[megatron]

i think , shock horro,r france will get to the final

Intresting as a gooner to see Anelka and Henry upfront in the same team !

Ur a gay for me.:wave:

[horseflesh]

Wins for Mexico & France.
I won't be surprised if South Africa attain the distinction of being the first hosts not to qualify from their group.

[unrealnils]

Ur a gay for me.:wave:

:suspect:

[loftus]

South Africa and Uruguay to win today. I expect France to go through as runners up.

[Pisces Iscariot]

The first match is very difficult to call. If this was a WC cup game on a neutral venue then Mexico would be comfortable winners but SA being the host nation changes things. Wouldn't be surprised if this game is a score draw with Mexico's skill being neutralised by SA's intensity.

[Hood]

They just said on ITV that Mexico are ranked 18th in the world whilst SA are 83rd. :eek:

I think that it is safe to assume that SA wouldn't have even qualified for the World Cup if they weren't hosting it.

[DJANGOSTRIKESAGAIN]

I've had a flutter on Mexico to beat SA and Uruguay to turn the French over.

I'm hoping the tournament gets off to a good start with a pair of exciting matches

[Pisces Iscariot]

I'm sure the players would have preferred not to be stood on the pitch while they're doing all this talking!

[barthez]

God those constant Bee Buzzing horns are annoying!!!!!!!!!!!

[rustybin]

SA look pretty awful so far. All Mexico.

[Hitman2411]

God those constant Bee Buzzing horns are annoying!!!!!!!!!!!

Lol, my wife just asked me was something wrong with the tv because of them. Fancy Mexico 3-0 and the French 2-0

[barthez]

Lol, my wife just asked me was something wrong with the tv because of them.

Got my surround sound on and i am actually finding it very uncomfortable

[welshmatt]

WTF is Giovanni's haircut about :lol:

[unrealnils]

come on Vela :D

[horseflesh]

SA look pretty awful so far. All Mexico.

If this is a good indication of South Africa's ability, they won't win a game never mind get out of the group.

[Gavin]

Anyone watching in HD? I just checked the HD channel here and it looks decidedly upscaled to me rather than proper HD.... disappointing.

[rustybin]

I'm quite impressed with ITV HD picture. Not SSHD quality, but very good.

[dmb6473a]

Got my surround sound on and i am actually finding it very uncomfortable



If South Africa keep playing like this, you'll only have to put up with it for another 11 days.

[Gavin]

I'm quite impressed with ITV HD picture. Not SSHD quality, but very good.

Bah, CBC must have cheaped out and took an SD feed then :doh:

[stu_69]

I don't think I can take 3 weeks of that vuvu sound. It's going to be at every bloody game as well.

Some woman was buying 3 of them for her kids this morning in Tesco. Why would you want to bring that noise into your own house.

Anyway, Mexico should win this one. France v Uruaguay should hopefully see the cheating frogs trashed this evening ;)

[LouBarlow]

I'm quite impressed with ITV HD picture. Not SSHD quality, but very good.

Does look ok-ish. Nowhere near SSHD as you say, and looks more upscaled SD to me too :suspect:

Is that Julian from The Shield's gay-lover playing up front for Mexico?

[rustybin]

Is that Julian from The Shield's gay-lover playing up front for Mexico?

Yes, I believe it is.

Name of the tournament so far: - Tshabalala

[HBK757]

:lol:

[unrealnils]

lol @ lou


does itv online work for anyone else

[Barnacle]

Working at my workplace but slow in parts

[highisland1]

This match has got 0-0 written all over it. The Mexicans can't seem to find the finishing touch. (ok, they came close just now)

What's the main viewing angle like in the UK? here in japan it's so high up that it feels like I'm watching a ProEvo game on the xbox.

And the commentators here are crap, prattling on about nothing, cos they don't know all the players' names.

[Hood]

lol @ lou


does itv online work for anyone else

It is for me but it took an age to get on and that was trying with two different computers. I put it down to ITV player being completely ****.

[HBK757]

South Africa got out of jail there! Great spot from the linesman.

[welshmatt]

What's the main viewing angle like in the UK? here in japan it's so high up that it feels like I'm watching a ProEvo game on the xbox.

It should be the same feed for everyone.

Both keepers not looking too convincing so far.

[rustybin]

Very enjoyable first half - especially the last 10 mins. Hope the second half is as open.

[MrSpeed]

Mexicans had the better chances but not put them away. I've a feeling a goal will come in the 2nd half though.

[The Cleaner]

This game has as much atmosphere as a beehive...

[Pisces Iscariot]

Mexico have demonstrated that they're comfortably the better team but they're lacking a clinical finisher. The consequence of not scoring is SA becoming more confident and as the last 5 minutes showed, they can string a move together and Mexico's defence isn't solid.

[Pisces Iscariot]

Name of the tournament so far: - Tshabalala
If he ever got signed by an English team you can expect to hear a lot of the Amarillo tune.

[BigDavie2000]

OMG those horns are annoying. Thought all 'noise' about them was just presenters or journalists finding something unique about African football to talk about.

[taylora98]

SA to increase momentum and win by 1-0?

[the thing with no name]

cannot get on the ITV Live nonsense for anything! :(
what a rubbish system - never had an issue with the Beeb's iplayer

[rustybin]

Brilliant opening goal of the tournament.

[welshmatt]

Screamer!!

Shame that **** commentating has to try and ruin things with his fake OTT excitement.

[HBK757]

Go on sa! :d

10 in defence now? :D

[TigaSefi]

SOUTH AFRICA!! that ball is a bit of a belter!

[Spooky_uk]

cannot get on the ITV Live nonsense for anything! :(
what a rubbish system - never had an issue with the Beeb's iplayer

total ***** I agree. listening to 5 live now via the bbc

[worthit]

Nicely taken GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAALLL!!!!!!!!!!!111111

Cue even louder bloody horns :brickwall

[Pisces Iscariot]

Excellent pass. Superb finish. Great celebration. :D

That should make a real game of it now.

[Hitman2411]

What a great goal to open the tournament (horns now even more annoying!!!)

[rustybin]

I'm finding the horns similar to my Girlf's nagging. The longer you listen, the less you actually hear.

[Midge]

cannot get on the ITV Live nonsense for anything! :(
what a rubbish system - never had an issue with the Beeb's iplayer

I've got it up, but it's like watching it over a 56k line!

[Pisces Iscariot]

I'm finding the horns similar to my Girlf's nagging. The longer you listen, the less you actually hear.
I'm finding a few cans has helped too.

[basegreen]

Be interesting to see how low the crowd mix can get as those wasps are ******* everyone off

[rustybin]

I'm finding a few cans has helped too.

I'm rationing my beer intake for now. 30 days of almost daily football could get very messy.

[leemel]

Your liver can regenerate. Give it something to do.

[the thing with no name]

FINALLY onto ITV's live player and it is sooo ****
terrible quality and took forever to load
awful

[the thing with no name]

internet stream is now freezing every second or so for 1/4 second making it almost unwatchable - i'm going back to BBC 5 live feed :(

[res]

FINALLY onto ITV's live player and it is sooo ****
terrible quality and took forever to load
awful

That could be the worst live streaming I've ever seen... :(

Also put my CPU usage to 100%. All the cooling fans went mental so I just turned it off.

[rustybin]

Nice goal. Deserved that for their first half display really.

[welshmatt]

Best way to shut up horns.

Great defending :lol:

[Pisces Iscariot]

It was a patchy game but entertaining enough! I'd say the result was fair, although you have to feel a little sorry for SA as they could and probably should have won it at the death.

[plasterman]

FIFA should ban the vuvuzela it's ruining it for me.

[unrealnils]

bbc site has highlights for those at work.....

guys who was the mexican dude who in the last world cup did that crazy little chip over a player by grabbing the ball between both feet and doing a little jump ???

[Deron]

bbc site has highlights for those at work.....

guys who was the mexican dude who in the last world cup did that crazy little chip over a player by grabbing the ball between both feet and doing a little jump ???

It was the 63 yr old Blanco who came on as a sub in the 2nd half...

It wasn't last world cup as he wasn't selected, it was the one before that in '02...

White boots...

[SOUNDSTYLE]

How **** were Mexico though.

Glad South Africa managed to get at least a draw. :thumbs:

[camaj]

Florent Malouda and Thierry Henry are both left out of France's starting XI. There are rumours of rifts within the French camp, with the rest of the squad unhappy that Thierry Henry is being used as a joker de luxe (that's super-sub to you and me) rather than getting a starting berth. (From: BBCsport live text)

[Deron]

Florent Malouda and Thierry Henry are both left out of France's starting XI. There are rumours of rifts within the French camp, with the rest of the squad unhappy that Thierry Henry is being used as a joker de luxe (that's super-sub to you and me) rather than getting a starting berth. (From: BBCsport live text)

Malouda????!!!

Wow, he was one of the most improved players in the prem last season.

Henry..meh...

[unrealnils]

FFS ade in the studio !!!!!!

on more serious note, malouda plays on the same side as ribery right ???
Still i would have had him on the other wing for sure
what formation are they playing ?

edit
Diaby is playing , blimey.....

hopefully Gourcuff has a good world cup hes always looked good when i've seen him

Malouda????!!!

Wow, he was one of the most improved players in the prem last season.

Henry..meh...

:razz: hes still god see sig ;)

[rustybin]

How'd the Frenchman miss that!!

[stu_69]

Howcome Hansen kept talking to Adebayor like an old woman talking to someone foreign. He was all arms and slow robot speak.

[HBK757]

Anyone else getting pausing on the BBC stream every 30 secs?

[rustybin]

Anyone else getting pausing on the BBC stream every 30 secs?

Online or on TV? No to both though (watched opening 5 mins on Iplayer).

[DeadYankee]

10 minutes into a vital game and there's a ******* Mexican wave started already. *****!

[unrealnils]

nice freekick, why did milan sell him :nuts:

[horseflesh]

Howcome Hansen kept talking to Adebayor like an old woman talking to someone foreign. He was all arms and slow robot speak.

Because it effectively is an old woman talking to someone foreign.

[rustybin]

Evra and Ribery both booked early on for fairly innocuous challenges in the middle of the pitch. Players are going to have to be careful - you listening Rooney?

[Toge]

Starting to become a bit dry, this game...

[Thaedius]

Anyone else getting pausing on the BBC stream every 30 secs?

Yeah, me.
Also the white bbc logo is right on top of the clock.

EDIT - And now it's gone :suspect:

[jab1990]

I thought they were bookings as uruguay were about to counter attack on both occasions, but were pulled back.
I have also been told that gourcuff and anelka don't get along so they don't pass to eachother.

[Arthur Fowler]

Silly question but how can I watch this BBC match on my iPhone?

[Pisces Iscariot]

Evra and Ribery both booked early on for fairly innocuous challenges in the middle of the pitch. Players are going to have to be careful - you listening Rooney?
Or two cynical fouls that stopped counter-attacks? Ref was spot on.


Uruguay should take a chance and stick Lodeiro on. He's inexperienced but hugely talented.

[rustybin]

Or two cynical fouls that stopped counter-attacks? Ref was spot on.


Uruguay should take a chance and stick Lodeiro on. He's inexperienced but hugely talented.

Absolutely. I didn't say otherwise. That early in a PL game, the ref would've possibly let at least one of them go with a warning though.

Great open second half - no cutting edge in front of goal.

[Barny79]

FIFA should ban the vuvuzela it's ruining it for me.

It's not bothering me, as I remember there were horns being played in 2002

[Alan b]

Silly question but how can I watch this BBC match on my iPhone?

http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/help/mobile/iphone

[DeadYankee]

This is abysmal

[unrealnils]

Uruguay should take a chance and stick Lodeiro on. He's inexperienced but hugely talented.

good spot, they have and its brightened up game

FFS anelka off instead of Gouvo and there still doing a 4-5-1 it seems lol

EDIT
FFS x2 Forlan should have had that.....

[rustybin]

good spot, they have and its brightened up game

FFS anelka off instead of Gouvo and there still doing a 4-5-1 it seems lol

Taking Anelka off with 20 mins to go when the other chap has hardly touched the ball :doh:

[unrealnils]

Govou geezer is still on the pitch,with them taking gourcuff off for malouda


wtf does govou have naked pics of domench with a hooker ???


:nuts:

[rustybin]

Govou geezer is still on with them taking gourcuff off for malouda wtf does govou have naked pics of domench with a hooker ???


:nuts:

Doesn't Domench base his team selection on horoscopes?

[Arthur Fowler]

http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/help/mobile/iphone

Thanks but all I can see is highlights not live streaming.

[rustybin]

Brilliant. Rooney can't get the first red of the tournament.

[DrZarkov]

Uruguay should take a chance and stick Lodeiro on. He's inexperienced but hugely talented.

:nono:

[HBK757]

Lucky boy Sagna.

[Pisces Iscariot]

Uruguay should take a chance and stick Lodeiro on. He's inexperienced but hugely talented.

Maybe not a great idea. :lol:

[Alan b]

Brilliant. Rooney can't get the first red of the tournament.

And it could have been a straight red.

[DrZarkov]

Maybe not a great idea. :lol:

:lol:

I've got Uruguay to win with Forlan first scorer

Reckon thats the first five quid lost this tournament!

[Deron]

How over-hyped is Ribery...

Nothing he does works...

Can't pass, can't dribble.

Can't see anyone from any decent leagues being interested in him.

[Barny79]

How over-hyped is Ribery...

Nothing he does works...

Can't pass, can't dribble.

Can't see anyone from any decent leagues being interested in him.

Never understood the hype, did nothing against United, but rated £40m, glad he extended his contract with Bayern, found his level.

[Masanevre]

Diaby is coming of age

[Barny79]

Diaby is coming of age

He's been class for a while, but underrated, he's a clone of Viera

[DeadYankee]

That freekick summed this game up. What a shocker

[rustybin]

Quite poor really by the French. Should have been more assertive in the last 20 mins, and especially when Uruguay went down to 10.

[Alan b]

That freekick summed this game up. What a shocker

Agreed, a truly shocking match. Please no more like that. Neither teams deserve to go through if that is the best they can produce.

[unrealnils]

Diaby is coming of age

if only he had a shooting left foot there..........



ade having a go at players with playing without ambition :lol:

[DrZarkov]

A real stinker - played in the atmosphere of what sounded like an angry traffic jam!!

[d.boyd1uk]

a bit negative from france, the players they have they should have won that easy

[Toge]

France were rubbish.

[j to tha l-o]

Wait until tomorrow night. If you think France were bad, wait for England to bore the world with their negative tactics. :)

Edit: Looking forward to the Argentina game though!!!

[Deron]

For all the hype about this new ball, I think I've seen one free-kick on target...

[loftus]

MoM so far have been the refs. Howard will restore the natural order.

[jaminb]

got a score on France but jesus that was a poor game. Uruguay were there for the taking but France just didn't keep the ball well at all. Still think France are a good bet but does look like they need a proper target man presuming its not Henry anymore

[The Cleaner]

God I normally don't care much for France but even I was tearing my hair out begging them to actually do something!

[Toge]

Can we pay these Japanes refs to come ref for us rather than Riley, Dean, Clattenberg and Styles...

[Stevie G]

It's not bothering me, as I remember there were horns being played in 2002

The problem I find is that normally with matches you can hear the crowd cheering, singing, booing, etc but with these damn horns you just get one continuous wasp noise that drowns out everything else. You don't get the exciting peaks or the quieter lulls and I find it gives it a flat atmosphere.

I wish FIFA and EUFA would ban any animated advertising boards as well. I really hate them, especially in the Premier league where they're getting more and more animated and annoying.

[Barny79]

The La Liga moving hoardings are even better, they have sound too

[Stevie G]

The La Liga moving hoardings are even better, they have sound too

Jesus! I'm amazed there's not been complaints about them! They're so damn annoying and really detract from the match at times!

[swanny]

Jesus! I'm amazed there's not been complaints about them! They're so damn annoying and really detract from the match at times!

Only if the game is boring. :)

[DeadYankee]

The problem I find is that normally with matches you can hear the crowd cheering, singing, booing, etc but with these damn horns you just get one continuous wasp noise that drowns out everything else. You don't get the exciting peaks or the quieter lulls and I find it gives it a flat atmosphere.

I wish FIFA and EUFA would ban any animated advertising boards as well. I really hate them, especially in the Premier league where they're getting more and more animated and annoying.

I 100% agree with that analysis. I hadn't put my finger on it until you spelled it out about the usual crowd noise being lost. I just really hate all that ******** - a ******* mexican wave after 10 minutes FFS - not even the bloody mexicans did that

[Niceguygeoff]

Bloody terrible match that. SA vs Mexico was a bit better, but not by a great deal. Hopefully the Argies and the Super Eagles will dish up some proper World Cup magic. England will probably play terribly but still win, as they have been doing lately.

[slideymoo]

Domenech will give maradona some competition for worst manager in the tournament, france are terrible. Anelka and govou have scored like 5 goals between them since the last world cup.

[Bapapapa]

Terrible game last night and made even worse by those atmosphere sucking horns buzzings constantly.. :|

Not sure if they are drowning out the crowd noise or there literally is no crowd noise due to everyone blowing on them, but they are dreadful things.

Wishful thinking but maybe the TV company can focus their mikes on pockets of proper chanting fans for future games.. or even if they dubbed some fake crowd noise over the top it would be better than what we've got so far. :nuts::oh-hum:

And we thought the Pompey bell end was annoying! :nuts:

[Steve1977]

I wouldnt want them coming across the pond to games in this country but its what will give the World Cup it's unique identity - I suppose. I dont mind em but wouldnt be bothered if they went.

[LouBarlow]

Adeboyer back with his alien language. Can't understand a word Ade.

[unrealnils]

he talks **** anyway

[LouBarlow]

Are there subtitles on BBC HD?

[unrealnils]

no idea about hd..........

just watch the start in sd.


Hes not that hard to understand for me, seedorf has been a good pundit btw......

[LouBarlow]

Seedorf is quality.

[DeadYankee]

It should really be made illegal for a white man to say "Bafana Bafana"

I thought Lineker was bad but this **** is going to start singing Hakuna Matata in a minute

[Dan]

Pienaar should know better than to charge down a direct free kick, got himself booked for nothing.

[rustybin]

Wasteful from Shabashabashaba there. Could've been the opener.

[singhstar]

fergie, sign him up, fergie fergie sign him up ;)

[rustybin]

fergie, sign him up, fergie fergie sign him up ;)

# He comes from Uruguay....etc etc #

[unrealnils]

goal

[rustybin]

Overall quality of play has increased significantly today.

Uruguay playing some lovely stuff.

[DeadYankee]

How did he not get booked for that dive in the box?

[LouBarlow]

Did anyone else appreciate Alan Hansen's critique of apartheid before the game btw? :lol:

[DeadYankee]

Serves them right for those ******* vuvuzelas

[unrealnils]

suarez made a meal of it thoughServes them right for those ******* vuvuzelas
lol

[Tob]

Suarez is a berk, hate that sort of over reaction. I agree he should have been booked for his delayed reaction earlier when he went down near the box earlier.

[DeadYankee]

Did anyone else appreciate Alan Hansen's critique of apartheid before the game btw? :lol:

No but their football team is a shining example of anti-apartheid isn't it

Oh, look, the SA fans leaving 10 minutes early. Respect our culture my arse

[Pisces Iscariot]

The rules says it's a red card for -

denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick

So the ref didn't have to send him off.

[robzinski]

Pienaar should know better than to charge down a direct free kick, got himself booked for nothing.

He charges out like that for Everton too. Except he never usually gets anywhere near the ball.

Didn't think it was a pen. Suarez did his best Stevie Starfish impression there.

[megatron]

Up the guay!

Shame there's no time left for my 3-1 bet. :cry:

[Stevie G]

Get in! Where are your trumpets now! :lol:

First time I've actually heard crowd cheering during this world cup! :thumbs:

[liamail]

Suarez is my player to hate this tournament. That kind of overreaction and diving is just embarrassing. Should have been an indirect free kick.

[Niceguygeoff]

Suarez may be a diving ****, but that SA player with the mohawk loved to hit the deck every chance he got too.

Another good game that anyway. Forlan is having the time of his life out there, and that was a deserved result for the Uruguayans. Saffers are hanging on by their fingertips, although a draw between France and Mexico tomorrow would make that last round of games very interesting indeed.

[liamail]

Yeah but Suarez got the spoils so it's only going to encourage him...

I thought the refs had been doing a good job of spotting it until this game.

Agree they definitely deserved the win. Forlan played a blinder, very impressive. Every ball he played looked dangerous. Shame he never showed that kind of form in the premiership. Should be an interesting world cup bid from Urugray here on in.

[Raigmore]

I felt sorry for South Africa but quite frankly they played badly and deserved to lose irrespective of whether that penalty was a correct decision or not. They moved well but the passing was atrocious throughout; I lost count of the number of times they gave the ball back to the Uruguayans.

The South Americans played much better than they did against France and I can see them beating Mexico and go through safely to the last 16.

[d.boyd1uk]

Uruguay were much better, sa had no forward line which let them down, also they wasted free kickc, corners.

[rustybin]

This ref is a right cock-knocker.

Expecting some reds this evening.

[singhstar]

malouda :thumbs: nice to see players who prefer to play football than cheat, makes a change

[statto]

Does his name mean bad smell? :suspect:

[statto]

Can't believe how mediocre France look given their squad.

[unrealnils]

Ffs can't Vela get a break

[Smash41]

Nice to hear a bit of crowd noise tonight.

[rustybin]

Ffs can't Vela get a break

I'm more concerned that Utd's biggest summer signing appears to be Mexico's 3rd choice striker.

[unrealnils]

Shocking if that turns out to be true....

[statto]

Disgraceful from Toulalan. If I'd been the ref I'd have shown him a red card for a professional foul.

[zantarous]

What a dirty move by Tulalan.

[LouBarlow]

Having to miss my first game of the tournament tonight (for other half reasons boooo) so good to know I'm not missing much.

[MrSpeed]

He was lucky to get away with a yellow!

[zantarous]

I thought it's been pretty good end to end footie. Lots of attacking but both have been hopeless at finishing.

[statto]

Seedorf is the Dutch Hansen. Find of the World Cup so far in terms of pundits.

[Dan]

Disgraceful from Toulalan. If I'd been the ref I'd have shown him a red card for a professional foul.

There is no professional foul in the laws of the game.

[MICON]

and the third choice striker is on & scores the first goal.

[zantarous]

The French are starting to get very dirty. I hope Mexico give them a spanking but have a feeling France will get a lucky goal.

[Pisces Iscariot]

I'm more concerned that Utd's biggest summer signing appears to be Mexico's 3rd choice striker.
To be fair Mexico started with Vela and Dos Santos as attacking midfielders behind Franco so there was only one striker ahead of him.

[unrealnils]

Having to miss my first game of the tournament tonight (for other half reasons boooo) so good to know I'm not missing much.
I dunno its strangly exciting to see France on this shape....

[statto]

There is no professional foul in the laws of the game.

Well serious foul play then, or denying a goal scoring opportunity. It was a cynical challenge because they so outnumbered. A yellow card is no disincentive to do that IMO.

[Doll]

Govou is just a passenger again, a very poor French side.

[statto]

Very cool finish from Hernandez.

[MICON]

Now there's a striker we should buy.

[Pisces Iscariot]

Mexico deserve the lead, played some very nice football. Cool finish.

[statto]

Now there's a striker we should buy.

You'll still be saying you need another striker next season though. ;)

[Dan]

It's looking like 2002 all over again for France.

[statto]

Henry looks like a shell of a man on the bench.

Be very sad if his international swansong is this. I think I'd rather headbutt an Italian.

[CrowHitsJet]

France to score with a handball in the last minute.

[camaj]

Anyone watching on BBCiplayer? I saw that Mexico had scored about 3 mins before the video caught up. It's stopping every minute or so

I like France but they didn't deserve to be here and I don't think they should get to the knockouts

[Alan b]

France to score with a handball in the last minute.

That will never happen, oh wait....

I have only seen the second half and France have been poor.

[camaj]

cheerio cheerio cheerio

[ffc]

France to score with a handball in the last minute.

Penalty to Mexico. Ireland would surely have been better than France are so far. Absolute rubbish.

[statto]

All over for the cheese eating surrender monkeys. ;)

[CrowHitsJet]

Penalty to Mexico. Ireland would surely have been better than France are so far. Absolute rubbish.That's the tragedy. The Irish really would have been better value for money I reckon.

[MICON]

Mr White makes it 2-0 to Meh'ico.

[ffc]

That's the tragedy. The Irish really would have been better value for money I reckon.

I'm sure they would have tried to win at least.

[Peter UK]

LOL, au revoir Les Bleus.

[The Cleaner]

I'm sure they would have tried to win at least.

I'm sure they would have tried to play at least.

[unrealnils]

France are entertaining for sure....

[LouBarlow]

Great to see Mexico doing well. Not least because it is good to see Wire creator David Simon managing a successful national team. A man of many talents.

[The Bear]

Here's hoping for a 0-0 between Mexico and Uruguay.

[Smash41]

Anyone watching on BBCiplayer? I saw that Mexico had scored about 3 mins before the video caught up. It's stopping every minute or so

I like France but they didn't deserve to be here and I don't think they should get to the knockouts

Its way behind. I havent seen the second goal yet :-(

[unrealnils]

Cisse made the squad but not benzema..... where's Henry :-D

[Tob]

France have been terrible, they just don't look interested. They must all hate Domenech to put in such a rubbish shift...gutless.

[The Bear]

I've enjoyed Darth Vader as stadium announcer tonight.

[HBK757]

I don't want to judge Ribery on two games, I know he's played some great football the past couple years, but christ... £40m?? I wouldn't pay half that.

As for the team in general, this has to be the worst French team in some time. They may as well sack the coach a game early :nuts:

Mexico look pretty impressive, will be a challenge for any team.

[camaj]

Its way behind. I havent seen the second goal yet :-(

Blimey. I suggest pressing stop now and just watch the post-match footage

[statto]

Here's hoping for a 0-0 between Mexico and Uruguay.

6-6 would be more fun. :)

[baffled]

That smacked of a coach who's lost the dressing room.

[ffc]

Cisse made the squad but not benzema..... where's Henry :-D

On the bench, not good enough to get on the pitch apparently.

[unrealnils]

Hodgson and seedorf killed it....

[slideymoo]

France are terrible, theyve not learnt a thing since the euros and kept a manager thats proved he cant manage a squad.

[camaj]

That smacked of a coach who's lost the dressing room.

Or a team that just aren't very good

[Dan]

Or a team that just aren't very good

Because of poor man management.

[baffled]

Or a team that just aren't very good

There's some excellent players in that squad but as a team they're ****, gotta be a reason for that.

[ffc]

There's some excellent players in that squad but as a team they're ****, gotta be a reason for that.

Too much money and too little pride or desire which is one of the many reasons Ireland would have been a much better world cup participant.

[Raigmore]

The Irish really would have been better value for money I reckon.

You don't need a football match to know that. Anyone is better value for money than thos sourpussed, frogtalking French.

I bet Horseflesh enjoyed the match. Isn't he from Dublin?

[Rob]

Some justice that France are now on the brink of an exit thanks to a team in green.
Even if Mexico-Uruguay is not a draw, I can't see enough of a swing in the goal difference to allow France to progress.

[ed_mcl]

Here's hoping for a 0-0 between Mexico and Uruguay.

I can't really see either playing for the draw mainly because they'll want to avoid Argentina in the next round.

[mjb1975]

Yep, I was thinking them playing out a draw isn't all that obvious as they want to avoid Argentina in the next round. But, as Rob says, it'll take quite a swing in the GD for France to do enough and, of course, there's no evidence to suggest they'll beat South Africa anyway! :nuts:

[Niceguygeoff]

I've enjoyed Darth Vader as stadium announcer tonight.
Me too. :lol:

So glad to see the French get their arses handed to them by the Mexicans. Platini must be crying into his plate of escargot right about now. Tosser.

[statto]

I want to know why the manager was still in the job if he was so universally hated.

[unrealnils]

its not just the english FA that are run by muppets

[DJANGOSTRIKESAGAIN]

Glad the French are on there way home, surely the Mexicans and Uruguay will just tap the ball to each other for 90mins and play out a draw.

Managed to get 3/1 for the Mexicans to beat the French tonight which was one of the best bets of the year

[camaj]

There's some excellent players in that squad but as a team they're ****, gotta be a reason for that.

Sure there's a reason, it's just not neccessarily down to the manager. Look at England, we've had Sven, McClaren and now Capello and still Lampard and Gerrard look slow and ineffectual. You could blame Sven but if a problem still exists under three managers it suggests the fault lies with the players.

[the_daddy]

Great to see the smug ***** that are the French team, played off the park tonight.

Not buying into the whole 'trouble behind the scenes' tosh. These are professional footballers, playing for their country in a World Cup. Grow the **** up and put in a perfomance you slaaags.

[Raigmore]

Uruguay will not mind it being a draw with Mexico because they (Uruguay) will then head the group on goal difference and play the runner-up in Argentina's group. Mexico will know this and so will go all out to win; Uruguay in turn will know the Mexican view and they too will try to win and be sure. This approach might actually increase the chances of it being a draw with both qualifying and poor South Africa and the #@%& France going out.

Mexico will come to rue the goal that they conceded against South Africa. Once again, they will go out in the last 16.

[mjb1975]

The French FA are indeed even worse than our own. Leaving Domenech in the job for FAR too long but then also announcing him leaving before the WC (Blanc replacing him afterwards). The team seem to dislike him anyway but that wasn't going to endear him to them either. Why bother if he's gone soon?

Worrying to hear about the cliques in the camp too. No-one talks to Gourcuff, they didn't want Govou in the squad, etc...... Reportedly, the only reason they did so well in 2006 was because Zidane ran the show and essentially told the rest to listen to him and ignore Domenech! Now ZZ's gone, there's no-one with enough authority. You'd think it could've been Henry but if he's not even on the pitch, what can he do?

Awful set-up there and Blanc's got a LOT of work to do to undo it. But if he can, that's a bloody awesome squad in anyones book. Just cos they're awful as a team at the mo, that doesn't make them a bad squad.

[mjb1975]

Also, great stat from Opta Joe via Twitter. The last goal France scored at a non-European based WC was against Belgium in 1986! :D

[horseflesh]

You don't need a football match to know that. Anyone is better value for money than thos sourpussed, frogtalking French.

I bet Horseflesh enjoyed the match. Isn't he from Dublin?

I missed most of it actually, was out enjoying the sun with the kids.
To be honest I've been quiet stoic about the whole Henry handball incident (apart from my initial outbursts on the night itself). No use crying over spilt milk.
But what is galliing (ironic choice of word there) is the apparent indifference of the French players to playing in the World Cup finals. Our players might be nobodies in comparison but they would have put their hearts into it and shown spirit. In a way I find the French performance almost insulting, like their place at the tournament was wasted on them, they didn't look like they gave a toss whereas the Irish players would have left everything on the pitch.

[the Gimp]

BBC are reporting that Anelka's been sent home follwoing a half time bust up with Domenech.

[Ono]

Maybe Henry will finally get a game :lol:

[Barny79]

The stroppy Anelka is back, it's been lurking for a few years now

[Dan]

Reports saying that the French refused to train today, can see them losing the final game the way it's going.

[euqiddis]

lol

[unrealnils]

Reports saying that the French refused to train today, can see them losing the final game the way it's going.

after another fight/bust up, crazy

[Dan]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/france/7841810/World-Cup-2010-France-squad-refuse-to-train.html

[Pisces Iscariot]

Apparently Evra and the fitness coach had to be separated by Dommench!

[unrealnils]

whos listening to radi 5 they have a french journalist on dishing the dirt

[the_daddy]

What a mess :nuts:

[unrealnils]

The said that France were on the pitch doing a training session (in front of the public) and Evra got into a bust up with the fitness coach and then the players decided to stop training for the day

And now the general manager of French team has resigned and gone back to Paris

Apparently it was the fitness coach who leaked the Anelka swears at Domenech story

[ed_mcl]

For the crap about England's poor showing at the World Cup I'd hate to be a France supporter at the minute.

What an absolute shambles that outfit is.

[Werdna007]

I myself am shocked by the actual language used - ths Swiss TV posted what was said - it is very colourful and very insulting.

It is very worrying that this kind of language is used in a professional environment between so called adults - anybody else using that kind of language at work would be in serious trouble.

The French language has very descriptive insults btw.

[Dan]

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:lol: at him throwing his stop watch.

[Pisces Iscariot]

Evra has put out a statement saying that the refusal to train is not because they believe Robert Duverne to be the traitor. So who is the traitor? This is highly entertaining! :D

[Dan]

I reckon it's Gourcuff, they don't seem to like him.

[Barny79]

I reckon it's Domenech

[Dan]

Interview with Ribery here, denying any bustup with Gourcuff.

http://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/article511800.ece/Emotional-Ribery-rubbishes-France-rumours

[the_daddy]

According to an article on football365:

Anelka's exclusion was for voicing the thoughts of a nation by telling Raymond Domenech to "**** himself".

[Peter UK]

The problems and friction in the French team are down to a split over one man: Yoann Gourcuff.

Gourcuff comes from a privileged family. He is smart and he is respectful - but he is also still a shy little boy. In his spare time he listens to music, watches films and plays his video game systems. He is, in his own words, a little nerdy.

In a French squad that places more value on how much money you have in your bank account, and what girl is on your arm, Gourcuff doesn't fit.

One incident occurred shortly before the World Cup. Franck Ribery and Sidney Govou had organised a night out at well known gentleman's club in Paris. Several players, including Gourcuff, decided to stay home. When Ribery heard about this he immediately confronted Gourcuff and asked 'does your mother not allow you to go, you homosexual slur'

This is one of many incidents.

Ribery is the main instigator in the bullying, however he is far from alone. On the pitch, Gourcuff plays within himself. Scared because he fears the verbal retribution he will receive after the match from his tormentors.

In the squad, Gourcuff can count on only 4 real allies. His best friend Hugo Lloris, his teammate Jeremy Toulalan, elder statesmen Thierry Henry and captain and the glue that holds the team very loosely together, Patrice Evra.

When Raymond Domonech bowed to player pressure and dropped Gourcuff for France's second group match, that was the catalyst for the situation in which we now find ourselves.

Reports of groups hardly talking to each other soon surfaced, however, most notable were the French media suggestions that playmaker Yoann Gourcuff was isolated and suffering extreme verbal and even physical bullying at the hands of Franck Ribery.

"We're not all the best of friends, that's normal, but hopefully that does not translate on to the pitch," midfielder Jeremy Toulalan, a close friend of Gourcuff, said when asked about those reports.

"For instance, when I'm playing with Yoann, I'm not going to pass him the ball more just because we get on well,"

Just Fontaine, who scored a record 13 goals for France at the 1958 World Cup, was damning in his verdict on Ribery.

"Ribery? One day the mistake was made to say he was the team's brains and since, he has believed it. He is an arrogant man. He has a mood and an anger within him that is extremely unpleasant and disruptive"

[the_daddy]

Ribery sounds like a right 'see you next tuesday'.

[Barny79]

Ribery sounds like a right 'see you next tuesday'.

That's because he is

[Pisces Iscariot]

It's hardly surprising that Ribery doesn't like Gourcuff. Over the last couple of years Gourcuff has been referred to as the successor to Zidane and the future of French football. That's just not gonna sit well with Ribery's ego when he was being talked about in a similar way four years ago. He failed to get close to that billing.

After this tournament Blanc will have to remove the more disruptive elements and fading stars. He set his Bordeaux team around Gourcuff and reaped the rewards so it wouldn't be any surprise if he does that for the national team. If Ribery doesn't like that then show him the door.

[ed_mcl]

Is that article for real, or is it someone just sticking the boot in whilst France are down?

[Tob]

Interesting reading if true - I wonder if that's why more big clubs didn't come in for Ribery when he moved to Bayern Munich.

[Pisces Iscariot]

Interesting reading if true - I wonder if that's why more big clubs didn't come in for Ribery when he moved to Bayern Munich.
Munich should have sold him last summer when stupid money was being thrown around. I can't see why anyone will be willing spend £30m plus on him now. Anytime someone goes to scout him this season they'll have left the game thinking about Robben not him.

[unrealnils]

wtf thats nuts man.............

gourcuff for the win, ribery booooooo

[unrealnils]

Its like a soap opera this whole gourcuff/ribery thing it makes for some intresting reading............

This worl cup has blown up on and off the pitch the past 5 days and to think people were saying this was a boring world cup a week ago

[the_daddy]

Really really looking forward to the French game tomorrow :D

Could well be car crash tv.

[sideshowhibs]

Especially if half of them refuse to play...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8752637.stm

:cuckoo: