[benbsb29]

Originally Posted by vb-san

Oh yes, that looked very harsh. But even more comical was the way Ronaldo claimed the first goal

He genuinely celebrated like he had scored. When the goal was finally awarded to Fernandes, the commentator on the channel said, "This is not going to go down well with Ronaldo". LOL

[joslicx]

Originally Posted by benbsb29

He genuinely celebrated like he had scored. When the goal was finally awarded to Fernandes, the commentator on the channel said, "This is not going to go down well with Ronaldo". LOL

Well in a way he was instrumental in that goal.
If he was not there, most likely goal keeper wouldn't have been wrongfooted and would have scampered across to make a save. The ball was in air for sufficient time.

[benbsb29]

Originally Posted by joslicx

Well in a way he was instrumental in that goal.
If he was not there, most likely goal keeper wouldn't have been wrongfooted and would have scampered across to make a save. The ball was in air for sufficient time.

That does sound right. I did celebrate for Ronaldo, more so since this was a goal in normal run of play, rather than a set-piece or penalty.

[am1m]

Can't decide if the VAR at this World Cup is a good thing or not. That Griezmann goal yesterday was a dramatic one and IMHO if the call is marginal anyway, it could go either way. Happy for Tunisia that they won, they were certainly the better team for most of the game, but why deny a moment of brilliance on a technicality.

Thinking that perhaps football is not the ideal sport to try out technology that works better for cricket. Cricket anyway has pauses between balls delivered, between overs, and so an extension to check something on video doesn't really interrupt the 'flow' of the match. But in this football world cup, VAR is coming across as hampering the fast-paced nature of the game. Hope they re-calibrate and follow the "minimal interference, maximum benefit" that the system aims for and reverses only the "clear and obvious errors" that they also are supposed to be doing.

Either way, so many superb matches this time. Really enjoying watching a world cup after a long time!

Trivia: Looking at the Wiki article, it seems that a Griezmann penalty goal in the 2018 WC was the first penalty decision to be given with the VAR system in a world cup match. And yesterday, his goal gets disallowed by VAR. Looks like it all evens out in the long run!

[balenoed_]

Disturbed by seeing the way Messi acted and claimed a penalty yesterday against Poland. It was clearly visible that it was not intentional by Poland goalie nor it hit hard on Messi's face for him to act like that and ask for a foul and penalty. Poor sportsmanship and cheap tactics from a great player. Instant Karma that he couldn't score out of that.

[mayukh42]

Originally Posted by am1m

perhaps football is not the ideal sport to try out technology that works better for cricket

I think the main issue is that VAR is neither here nor there; it does not fully use technology but uses an opinionated subset, resulting in unnecessary spoil of the match experience, both for players as well as audience.

The referee going back to the screen to watch another camera angle is dramatic. If he is called by match referee and told something is wrong, then the match referee can also tell him what is wrong. If VAR is all we need to detect offside, why do we need the 2 linesmen? If it was not obvious to them, it is not a big deal anyway. etc.

Either adopt it fully, or don't and use it only when something was really wrong. Perhaps use VAR to detect submarine dives? Or bites and kicks which the referee could not see?

A toe outside the line and the goal disallowed does not reflect the brilliance of the scorer or failure of the defender, and ignores the effort from midfield in good spirit.

[Venkatesh]

Amul special doodle as both Messi and Ronaldo excel for Argentina and Portugal.

[zaks]

I think they should relax the offside rule a bit, because it really robs the game of excitement and spirit just because of some pure technicality. I mean why in the world do they want to look at the offside rule by a computer. If you ask me they should do away with the offside rule altogether and see the magic happen, its same and fair for both teams in the end.

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by zaks

If you ask me they should do away with the offside rule altogether and see the magic happen, its same and fair for both teams in the end.

Jeez, no!! It'll take away the fun with one striker always waiting deep. The game play before the final strike is what separates the great from the good.

[finneyp]

It was nice to see Argentina playing an attacking game against Poland & beating them convincingly.
If not for the brilliance of Polish goalie the score would have been 5-0.

[joe1980]

Agree. The match between Argentina and Poland was simply the best so far in the tournament. 90% of the ball possession was with Argentina. If they continue playing like this, the other teams better watch out. We still have some more matches to watch the legend "Messi" play.

[thanixravindran]

An entertaining match between Croatia Vs Belgium. Belgium was simply not lucky but Croatia was far better in attacking and Belgium now out of the world cup!! In another few hours fate of Germany and Spain will be decided. Hope they make it to next round.

[kavensri]

Originally Posted by thanixravindran

In another few hours fate of Germany and Spain will be decided. Hope they make it to next round.

Lukaku missed so many chances. They were just unlucky. But may be, CRO were better team over 90mins period? Who would have thought that MOR will win the group having BEL and CRO!

Meanwhile, SPN can do with a draw. But for GER, it is a must win game. Otherwise they are out.

[ABHI_1512]

Belgium has always been an over rated team- at least in the World Cup. The golden generation of players like Eden Hazard or a Kevin de Bruyne or even a Lukaku just wasted another chance at the World Cup. The FIFA ranking just doesn't paint the actual picture at all, certainly not in the case of Belgium. Quite insipid display throughout the league stage, in fact they were lucky to get three points against Canada. Lukaku wasted so many chances today that it was unfathomable for a striker like him !!

Croatia and Morocco deservedly went to the knock out stages. Canada did play with their heart out and they can hold their heads high. All eyes are now on Germany, for the sake of the World Cup though, I hope Japan goes through along with Spain who are playing some lovely football.

[joe1980]

What is happening? As of now, seems like Spain and Germany are out of this tournament.