ponsaelius

That's bollocks mind. He's spent 30 odd years covering South American football I will say he is often a bit wasted talking about squads full of players now playing in Europe, as he doesn't really follow European leagues closely.

Injured

The last two world cups were basically all played entirely in new build architect designed arenas specifically for the tournament (except the Luzhniki which was renovated). Two entertaining tournaments but very non-distinctive stadia at least from the inside which is most of what you see. Almost indistinguishable aesthetically from each other if you watch a set of highlights from either. Even if some of these are minging and don't even look like they should be hosting football at least I can tell aesthetically where the tournament is being held.

Mind Carlo has gone a bit 'getting the band back together' by selecting the likes of Neymar, Danilo, Alex Sandro in the squad

Are people forgetting how bad the 2014 squad was on paper? It's only at full back they look poor.

One thing I will say about this World Cup is it's the first in a while where the stadiums aren't just identikit modern arenas. Loved how violently American that ground looked.

I've only just seen Neymar actually made the squad

Quite pleased for Qatar to get that moment. Felt a bit bad for their players last time out.

Annoys me that Shaqiri retired. Still doing it domestically, surely could have had one last dance.

Their owners are worth about 50 billion. They can afford it and he's exactly the kind of player they've been targeting (19-23, with a Spanish focus). They do have an issue of complying with UEFA FFP rules however and could probably do with bringing in more domestic talent.

Fwiw you can watch 8~ highlights spoiler free on iPlayer, check out the NWOAT thread for links. I do agree though, amazed they haven't done that.

If you're like me and wanting to watch unspoiled highlights in the morning but annoyed by the score being ruined - I've bookmarked this page: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002y2yz/episodes/player It seems to upload them with no score shown.

I'm always grateful to that cunt for getting Messi the trophy

That's our kit? it's dreadful

Well actually there's clearly one Ecuadorian league player who is lazier