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

[PeterWithesShin]

We're all Spanish ay we.

[Nev]

The BBC main headline is that glorified exhibition match last night as if it was some sort of triumph rather than a match no one wanted. Questioning why Saka didn't start on Weds after his hat trick is extraordinarily dumb, there is no comparison with last night's charade as entertaining as it may have been and a competitive match.

[cdbearsfan]

We're all Spanish ay we.

Not too bothered really.

Reasons for supporting Argentina:

Emi Martinez
Cool kits
Even despite tax dodging can't help but like Messi and him winning would really annoy Ronaldo
Tedious England conspiracy theorists want them to lose
UK Falklands obsessives are dull as fuck
Spain haven't picked Pau
Underdogs
Tend to have more exciting matches
There seems to be quite a lot of racism in Spain

Reasons for supporting Spain

Have won it fewer times
Argentina seem to have twattier players
Government seem to be mostly good guys on things like Palestine
Milei is an absolute twat
Trump hates them
Argentina Falklands obsessives are dull as fuck
There seems to be quite of lot of racism in Argentina
Quite a few of the actual Argentina team seem to be racists

So, about even. I'd be happy with a thriller and no injury/clanger for Emi Martinez.

[Dave]

Fully on team cd and his logic.

Albeit with a slight Spanish leaning because the Trump / Milei / Sanchez thing just about beats the Emi thing.

[Ian.]

I’m onboard with CD and Dave.

[Nev]

I've been winding everyone up since Weds backing Argentina. When people ask me why I say "Emi Martinez, it's all about the Villa" which makes them even more angry.

Anyway, I'm backing Argentina.

[Stu]

I've been winding everyone up since Weds backing Argentina. When people ask me why I say "Emi Martinez, it's all about the Villa" which makes them even more angry.

Anyway, I'm backing Argentina.

Why?

[UK Redsox]

I've been winding everyone up since Weds backing Argentina. When people ask me why I say "Emi Martinez, it's all about the Villa" which makes them even more angry.

Anyway, I'm backing Argentina.

Why?

Evita is a better musical than Man of La Mancha

[PeterWithesShin]

Anyone supporting Argentina is a traitor to the king.

[Mister E]

I’m onboard with CD and Dave.

wot he said.

[SamTheMouse]

Spain to hump the absolute crap out of the dirtiest, niggliest twats in the tournament (with the possible exception of Paraguay).

[eamonn]

Mad that they've only met once before at the WC and it was in 1966 at the finest stadium in the world.

[Brazilian Villain]

I'd prefer Argentina to win, but won't be that bothered if Spain do. I think it'll be a better game if Argentina score first.

An extra day's rest should benefit Spain, and I expect them to win.

[Dave]

An extra day's rest should benefit Spain, and I expect them to win.

I don't remember the numbers, but there's some stat about how the winner of the first semi-final nearly always wins an international tournament.

[PeterWithesShin]

The last 7 for Euros/WC.