Other Games - 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup Edition (+ warm-up matches): Villa-watch

[Dave]

I thought it was a red, it was a goal scoring opportunity and the Mexican deliberately took him out.

I'd say a 70/30 yellow, but in that situation, 30% of the time it's a red.

And this was one of those.

When they originally decided that stopping a goal scoring opportunity was a red, I expected more of those types of offence to receive the red, I am for this interpretation of the law.

Yeah, I definitely don't have an issue with it.

I'd have given a yellow. No problem that the other guy thought it was a red.

[Villa Lew]

Anybody in the country staying up to watch South Korea v Czech Republic 3 am ko.

[cdbearsfan]

I'm recording it. What I really want is to watch highlights tomorrow without finding out the score but neither the BBC nor ITV seem to be offering that service, which is utterly ridiculous considering the kick off times.

[Dave]

Anybody in the country staying up to watch South Korea v Czech Republic 3 am ko.

Feels like a mate phoning you on a Tuesday afternoon and suggesting a big night out tonight.

It would probably be fun, but it feels like a poor way to spend your time if you've got a lot of other big nights out planned for the next few weeks.

[brontebilly]

I thought it was a red, it was a goal scoring opportunity and the Mexican deliberately took him out.

I'd say a 70/30 yellow, but in that situation, 30% of the time it's a red.

And this was one of those.

When they originally decided that stopping a goal scoring opportunity was a red, I expected more of those types of offence to receive the red, I am for this interpretation of the law.

Thought the defender left one on the forward for sure but it was hardly a red for unnecessary roughness. Define a goal scoring opportunity. It's going to take a hell of a shot to score from that position, plenty of defenders on the cover if he tried to cut in.

First one, forward when through on goal kicked back his leg twice to get the contact, Grealish used do this back in the day. Cheating. Second was a farce.

[olaftab]

Adding the time on is better value for money. If they stop the clock it's only 45 mins, now it's 48 mins.

A very sensible comment.

[olaftab]

And they thought the Somali ref was going to cause trouble!

Apparently he has been communicating with bad actors according to WH 2026 Taskforce. They found Tom Cruise and Bruce Willis's phone numbers in his contacts. 

[Hillbilly]

I thought both the SA reds were rubbish. As Brontebilly says the first one was a classic hooking the leg around the defender to look like a foul. The second was the old clutching the face like you've been hit by Mike Tyson ruse. The Mexican red was a cynical challenge and the SA attacker would have been through on goal.

Portugal will have been watching that and thinking if that's standard then there will be easy pickings. I can't imagine any team playing them and end up with more than half a dozen players still on the pitch.

Worst of all, our feed in Australia had Andy Hinchliffe as co-commentator. He is awful.

[pauliewalnuts]

Absolutely nothing good happens as a result of mixing North America with football.

[Garyth]

Portugal will have been watching that and thinking if that's standard then there will be easy pickings.

Now the setup of Gordon/Rashford and Saka/Madueke running towards the box onto Kanes through balls makes a lot of sense - all the penalties/free kicks they'll get.

[PeterWithesShin]

Are we all supporting Korea?

[villadelph]

Korea keep the ball very well.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Are we all supporting Korea?

Yes.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Both South Africa reds seemed correct.

Whilst Mexico one was cynical, I thought it was probably a yellow.

[PeterWithesShin]

I hate cynical fouls like that but you very rarely see a red for it in that position. Be nice if it becomes a regular thing.