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

[PeterWithesShin]

Yes so for example the England total will include Che Adams as he was born in Leicester.

[Rory]

Yes so for example the England total will include Che Adams as he was born in Leicester.

Definite starter!

[Skipper_The_Eyechild]

Almiron is a thicko*, pass it on.

*and Rory, just a little bit 😛.

[RamboandBruno]

Im being thick, but surely if the beat the USA they could still finish higher that either Australia or Paraguay on goal difference?

[Dave]

Im being thick, but surely if the beat the USA they could still finish higher that either Australia or Paraguay on goal difference?

It's head-to-head, not goal difference. So they'd finish behind both, due to them losing to both.

[RamboandBruno]

Im being thick, but surely if the beat the USA they could still finish higher that either Australia or Paraguay on goal difference?

It's head-to-head, not goal difference. So they'd finish behind both, due to them losing to both.

Ah, ok, thanks for that

[Meanwood Villa]

Perhaps those who follow Scotland can confirm but I get the impression Clarke is a Bruce-like manager. Broadly competent but he's never going to add that extra % to win you the big games. All he's got is be organised and hope for a bit of magic.

[Sexual Ealing]

I think his problem is that for every John McGinn there’s a Lyndon Dykes.

[Dave]

I think his problem is that for every John McGinn there’s a Lyndon Dykes.

Yeah. Scotland's "big games" were getting four points off Denmark and three off Greece to qualify in the first place.

Turning up to play the semi-finalists from last time with Lyndon Dykes and Grant Hanley and losing 1-0 is not a badge of shame.

[Meanwood Villa]

I get that in hindsight (maybe people were calling this already but I haven't been paying much attention) their group is really difficult so it's a struggle to get more than three points against Haiti. But I'm sure there was some positivity that one of the best third places might be achievable. Was this in the context of hammering Haiti perhaps? Anyway, I guess one positive is they somehow only lost that match by one goal despite being absolutely miles behind in performance.

[Sexual Ealing]

Yes, the consensus was that they’d need to rack up goals against Haiti, but given they only lost 1-0 there’s still a chance. I’d guess a couple of groups will see the third placed team on three or fewer.

[Proposition Joe]

BBC: World Cup still waits for real Brazil to show up

This is the real Brazil! People keep buying into this jogo bonito nonsense. Brazil have been clunky and funtional more times than not over the 40 odd years I have been watching World Cups.

[ChicagoLion]

Perhaps those who follow Scotland can confirm but I get the impression Clarke is a Bruce-like manager. Broadly competent but he's never going to add that extra % to win you the big games. All he's got is be organised and hope for a bit of magic.

That has always been my impression, try and stay in the game for as long as possible and hope something breaks for yer at the other end.

[ChicagoLion]

I thought both were pens, but if a ref is allowing fouls outside the box then he ain’t giving those.
I hate the way this new interpretation of the laws in the spirit of “letting the game flow” is now enabling refs have their fingers on the scales.

[PeterWithesShin]

Turkey 32 shots 0 goals.