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

[Mellin]

Surely everyone other than Ryan knew Salah was going down the middle there? Well done Egypt. They're the better side tbf.

Also, don't let children take penalties on that stage.

[Behind Bluenose Lines]

Feel sorry for the lad that had to interrupt his exam revision to take a penalty. Surely a senior pro should have volunteered to take it ahead of him?

Yeah, feels odd.

Horrible for him.  Couldn't understand why Australia took off the other goalie so late in the game unless he was injured.  Replacement hadn't had time to truly get into the game!

Pleased for Trez, though!

[Chip Butty 111]

Pharoah enough result, Jimmy Krankie in goal made  no sense for the Aussies...

[Dogtanian]

Pharoah enough result, Jimmy Krankie in goal made  no sense for the Aussies...

Yeah, would have been better playing his mummy.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Pharoah enough result, Jimmy Krankie in goal made  no sense for the Aussies...

Yeah, would have been better playing his mummy.

Or some other geezer.

[Pat McMahon]

I thought Egypt deserved that as Australia were generally shite after 80minutes.

I thought swapping the keeper was bizarre as Beech was having a really good game and would have fancied himself. Ryan also moved so early for the Egypt penalties that he didn’t really look like saving one of them.

Like others I felt sorry for the young lad (Herrington?) who took a penalty when older pros were seemingly in the Royal Standbacks.

Good on her Trez!

[Halfway to Moseley]

Ryan was like the anti-Shilton. Never seen a keeper go so early.

[PeterWithesShin]

Is Argentina v Cape Verde the biggest WC knockout mismatch in terms of, well everything?

[Mellin]

Yeah, probably. Can't remember anyone like Cape Verde getting out the groups before and they are against the holders.

Been looking forward to this one all week. They were class in the group stages, plus a sprinkle of Martinez.

[cdbearsfan]

I reckon only the first two European-hosted World Cups, in 1934 and 1938, could compare, as everyone went into the knockout rounds then.

Maybe Hungary 6 Dutch East Indies 0 in 1938. Hungary weren't what they would become after the war but still would be a solid European team who went on to make the final.

[stubbsyandy]

Aus showed how not to organise a penalty shootout

[Brazilian Villain]

Is Argentina v Cape Verde the biggest WC knockout mismatch in terms of, well everything?

Sweden v Cuba (8-0) and Hungary v Dutch East Indies (6-0) in 1938 were pretty one-sided.

[olaftab]

Really felt for the Aussie kid who took their fourth. But Egyptians deserved this.

[PeterWithesShin]

Yeah I discounted the very early ones as so few took part and it was all a bit experimental.

[cdbearsfan]

Ah, I somehow missed Sweden vs Cuba.

Still, I think if you only include knockout games where teams had to get through a group stage first, tonight's is the biggest mismatch ever.