Fierce_LiNk

What a goal! Amazing counter-attack! I can't believe they won that! Massive praise for Japan, though. They were amazing, particularly in that second half. Kagawa was the best player on the pitch for me and he absolutely bossed that midfield. Gutted that it never worked out for him at United. I think had he been there a few years earlier, then Fergie would have got more out of him. Love the guy. Unlucky, Japan. Gutted for them. But, happy that Belgium came through. What a game!

I like the look of Japan, but it's a shame they just happen to be against Belgium. Can we trade them for Croatia?

Lol, I was shouting for the ball to get pumped into the box in the first half. Belgium have a lot of tall players and they have a huge height advantage. Just seems like common sense to me. No need to piss about with short corners. Just get the ball in the box and let the attackers do the rest. EDIT: On second thoughts, just give me the damn Belgium job!

2-2! Fuck the Fellaini haters, I like the guy. Belgium have absolutely zero control of the ball in midfield. On the balance of the game, a draw at this point in time is fair, but Japan are unlucky to have conceded 2 goals in this second half.

Come the fuck on! Amazing goal from Vertonghen. I think they'll get another one. But why did they need to go 1 or 2 down before they started to play?!

Martinez is just a fraud and I know that there were huge eyebrows raised when he got this job with these players. He's punching well above his weight. Wilmots did ok with the team, but even he was punching above his weight. They've got to actually appoint a big manager who can manage these players. Looking at the quality of the players in the squad, they need better management. There's no way this group of players should be losing 2-0 in this game, with the quality in the squad. The formation is basically a 3-4-3, with the fullbacks pushed right up. The problem with that is that it leaves them a bit weak in centre midfield. From the goalkicks or defensive positions, the only player that can receive the ball is KDB. But, if he's the one receiving the ball from the centrebacks, then there's nobody else further up who can play those throughballs. Plus, in this system, you need the likes of Carrasco to be doing a LOT more with the ball. Belgium have had the ball in great positions, but have been shit with it in the final third, every single time.

What the fuck, Belgium? Witsel is a dogshit player and I can't believe that he still manages to play centre-mid for the country. Crap defending from him for the second goal and shit play from Vertonghen for the first. As good as Japan have been, this Belgium team deserve enormous criticism if they don't win this game.

Yeah, nothing more he could have done. Denmark...so close. Croatia have to play better in the next game as they were not good enough today.

Best goalkeeping display in a shoot-out?

I gasped when the player was brought down for the penalty, and then I gasped when Schmeichel saved it! We both gasped! Hands on our mouths and everything.

Oh my god, what drama!

Wouldn't it be insane if Spain and Croatia both went out...

Denmark look a bit more up for it. Croatia just can't seem to get into the game. Not sure exactly what's up, but both sides look a bit lethargic.

This game is disappointing. Not really that much between the teams, but nobody is really going for it. Seems very flat out there.

TV signal just fucked up, so I'm trying to get ITV Player working on the telly. Absolute crap. It's not on the same level as BBC iPlayer and it is just a shoddy service. On iPlayer, you can rewind the programme or you could pause it. So, if this game was on BBC 1, I would be able to rewind it and see both goals. Because it's on ITV, I can't. Fuck, ITV!

Oh man, Fabregas' reaction when Aspas mucked up the last penalty. Such a glorious feeling! I love these Spanish tears.

I'm getting pretty good at the chorus now! 10/10 anthem.

It looked to me that there was holding from both sets of players. I don't think it was absolutely clear that the Russian players were stopping the Spanish from getting to the ball. Although, it's retarded that there is STILL holding on at corners, at all. You'd have thought players would have learned by now that if there is any holding, VAR will spot it and they'll concede a penalty.

This reminds me of United during the LVG days.

Spain's style of football in this game is looking a bit out-dated now. I remember when tiki taka was all the rage, but now it's just boring to watch as the only real way around it is either to press highly and win it quickly, or to sit back, defend and counter. Russia are going with the latter, so it's not a great game to watch. It wouldn't be so bad if the passes led to more chances, but it hasn't appeared to be that way. Possession football is only ever good if it leads to goals. Making 700-odd passes and only getting 3 or so shots is a bit rubbish, imo.

The longer that this goes on, the better for Russia. Just hope they take their next chance when it comes.

@Eenuh and I are having a debate about the penalty. I understand why it was given, but...the ball hits Pique's arm from behind. Yes, his arm shouldn't be that high, but it's a bit harsh to have a penalty given against you when you can't even see the ball. But, daft to be placing your arm in that sort of position. Still, I give zero fucks. Come the fuck on, Russia! For The MotherLand!

Gah, great chance for Russia just then. Thought they had equalised. They're doing ok, but it looks like my 2-0 guess might be about right.

For the motherland! Terrible goal to give away. Given all the momentum to Spain now. Russia need to blag a goal from somewhere.