Fierce_LiNk

Fuck fuck fuck, De Bruyne should have taken that shot on at the other end about a minute before. Don't know why he's trying to offload it there...just the fucking shot on yourself! Also...why no subs for Belgium?

Yeah, I like the idea of the screen at the side of the pitch. Not really sure how they can make that bit quicker unless the ref has some kind of screen with him, like a tablet. But, that's just impractical as he/she won't be able to carry that during the game. So, I think VAR being run by a panel of refs who help to make the decision is sufficient, unless the ref then does want to check it for themselves.

When it happened in real time and from the replay from behind, it looked like a dive to me. But, the side-on replay looked more of a penalty. So, not sure. If they've looked at it and haven't given it, even with VAR, then I guess there has to be some reason why it wasn't given. Maybe it wasn't conclusive whether the player was going down before the contact or not. Belgium have to change it up because Brazil have all of the ball.

Crazy, crazy first half. After the first few minutes, we thought that Belgium were going to get battered. 2-0 at half-time is a great scoreline. Fellaini has been immense. My man Lukaku has been an absolute monster. Best player has been Hazard though, I think. Looks class. Brazil will score. No doubt about it.

Kom aan, België! Wat denk je dat het resultaat zal zijn?

Belgium game is huuuuuge tonight. Really don't know what's going to happen. Potential extra time, even. I'm going to go with a narrow Belgium win. 2-1 after extra time. Somebody from a corner and then Hazard with the winner.

I've been back in the swing of things over the last two weeks after being ill with a bad chest and tricky cough. I'm starting to get some of my fitness back and I feel a lot better for it. Although, I had planned to work out tonight but I felt so tired when I got home and almost fell asleep straightaway! Ordered some more protein as I was running low. Also, looking at ways to improve my tricep strength, so I've incorporated skull crushers back into my routine. Tempted to order some dip attachments for my cage.

Man, some of the hype today after the Columbia game has been absolutely ridiculous. I sometimes listen to TalkSport on the way home from work, often because I need some trash to just help me unwind. But, haha, some of the calls were hilarious. You'd have thought England completely battered Columbia for 90 minutes and had a million shots on target from the way that the callers were talking. "Best attacking team in the tournament". Bwahah. England have a great chance against Sweden. Before the tournament started, I had them down as getting to the quarter-finals. They've done that. Anything after this point is a bonus. I don't think they're a good enough team to win it, but the draw has gone in their favour and they have a run of, fortunately, very winnable games. I do think they'll get through the Sweden game 2-0, but I think they'll struggle after that, potentially losing the game afterwards. Let's be real though, this team have struggled to create and finish chances in open play. They've not really been tested defensively. I wouldn't class yesterday against Columbia as a particularly convincing performance. Their second string was poor against a changed Belgium side, and they left it extremely late against Tunisia. The only convincing or all round good performance was against Panama, which I think it's fair to say was expected. I like Southgate and I like the concept behind what he's trying to achieve. This team that he has is more of a "team" rather than a bunch of individuals clumped together. But, I think some realism is needed. They've done well to get through yesterday's game, and I hope that the criticism that comes their way when the comedown occurs isn't too hard on this team or Southgate.

I don't think England created enough during the game. There weren't that many chances had by either side, but Columbia definitely finished the second half much stronger than England and could potentially have ended up with a different result, had they not pissed about for around 70-odd minutes fouling or arguing with the refs. Purely for their antics, I'm pleased that Columbia are out and it would have been a bit shameful had they managed to get through with that kind of behaviour. I don't think England were entirely clean either, with Henderson being a bit daft at times and a few little moments of indiscipline here and there. But, they've got an amazing chance now to make this a memorable tournament. I'd love a Belgium/England final!

Much harder than it needed to be, but we're through! Thank fuck for that!

PHEW! Hit the bar! We might be ok, guys...

Henderson has had his saved. Shit.

I actually think we'll win the shootout. I have absolutely no evidence to base that on...I just hope that there's a footballing God out there who will stop Columbia from going through.

#bringbackJapan

Maybe we just need to be realistic and accept that this is our level. We are a team that qualified second out of the group. I think being on the "easier" side of the draw and seeing the calibre of teams that are left on England's side has inflated expectations to unrealistic levels. "England" have a great chance of making it to the final. Just like Columbia do.

I think they'll come good in extra time, but yeah, they should have put this one to bed already. The momentum is with Columbia now.

England haven't really created much this game. Once Columbia actually decided to start playing football in the last 15 minutes, they looked the better team, imo. It's an absolutely rubbish game, but you'd expect much better from England. Can't see to carve clear chances.

Great, 30 more minutes playing against these shithouses.

That Cuadrado chance...huge miss. Have to be finishing those. He's been a bit shit tonight.

Columbia have just started to play football. They've probably left it too late, but they're applying a bit of pressure now.

Missed that, because there was a chance straight afterwards. Just play the game, guuuuys. This Columbia team look pretty disappointing.

Did Maguire just dive? And Henderson didn't come across very well before the penalty was taken. Does that count as a headbutt? It's a shit game, tbh.

Penalty to England. Pushing at a corner. "Herp Derp, I didn't know there was a camera watching me, ref!"

Is there some sort of prerequisite that all South American teams need to play like absolute dickheads? This Columbia team are a right bunch of pricks. I don't mind a sly tackle here or there or putting yourself about, but there are limits.

Yeah, the first half was timid. But, my god, that second half made up for it. It was really dramatic! I was sure Belgium were going out and didn't see them coming back to overturn it the way that they did. The third goal was absolute class. One of the best goals of the tournament. Another fantastic game in this tournament! I think Martinez is going to have to do something different against Brazil. They'll rip that midfield and defence apart if they don't.