OT: We may win the World Cup in 2026

RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
65,341
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113
Wow, Bellingham with 2 quick goals after Mexico had dominated the first 35 minutes. And don't forget the huge save by Pickford to keep it scoreless before that.
 

RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
65,341
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The goal by Quinones was a great volley and then the toe poke clearance by Bellingham to save a clear goal was amazing, keeping it at 2-1. Possibly the best 15 or so minutes of the WC in terms of high level play (not as dramatic as CV-Arg though). 2nd half should be a war.
 

RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
65,341
44,376
113
Interesting if true.


I don't doubt that Trump may have called Infantino, but a "team of lawyers" was certainly not needed and likely not involved, since the case was made about an hour after the game, in the link I posted the next day. Anyone could have made the case, based on VAR personnel not following protocol during the review of the Balogun foul. And personally, I don't think any country's government should be getting involved in an international sporting disagreement.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_...ly-red-carded-world-cup-vs-bosnia-herzegovina
 

T2Kplus20

Heisman
May 1, 2007
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I don't doubt that Trump may have called Infantino, but a "team of lawyers" was certainly not needed and likely not involved, since the case was made about an hour after the game, in the link I posted the next day. Anyone could have made the case, based on VAR personnel not following protocol during the review of the Balogun foul. And personally, I don't think any country's government should be getting involved in an international sporting disagreement.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_...ly-red-carded-world-cup-vs-bosnia-herzegovina
Just man up, say thank you, and move on.
 

RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
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Red card for England's Quansah. ~40 minutes to go. Ouch. Thought it was accidental after his leg bounced off the ball, but not doubt his studs seriously raked the Mexican player's shin.
 

-RUFAN4LIFE-

Heisman
Feb 28, 2015
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Just remember, Ronaldo was suspended for all three group stage games due to violent conduct in the qualifying matches and FIFA suspended his red card so he could play the group stage.
 
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RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
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Casual soccer fan question:
I thought that in general if you got the ball first, it was a good play?
It used to be more like that 25+ years ago, but the move has been heavily towards not making dangerous plays and he dove in hard with his spikes up and that is often a red, even though he hit the ball.
 
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NickRU714

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Aug 18, 2009
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Not if you create a dangerous or reckless situation in the process. If his foot wasn't on top of the ball, there would have been no foul.

It used to be more like that 25+ years ago, but the move has been heavily towards not making dangerous plays and he dove in hard with his spikes up and that is often a red, even though he hit the ball.

Seth Meyers Lol GIF by Late Night with Seth Meyers
 

ClassOf02v.2

Heisman
Sep 30, 2010
13,843
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Question for the hardcore football guys here. When a PK is given (in regular game time, not after extra time), why does can the team pick anyone to take it? Seems to me it would make more sense to require the person that was fouled to take the PK (assuming no serious injury).
 

-RUFAN4LIFE-

Heisman
Feb 28, 2015
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Question for the hardcore football guys here. When a PK is given (in regular game time, not after extra time), why does can the team pick anyone to take it? Seems to me it would make more sense to require the person that was fouled to take the PK (assuming no serious injury).
There is no rule that requires the player fouled to be the taker of penalty. Just like on free kicks anyone can take it.
 

Anon1753410373

Freshman
Jul 24, 2025
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What they can chime in on is highly limited. Basically just goals, penalties, and red cards.

VAR is being used properly IMO.
The problem is the flow of the game doesn’t lend itself to VAR review without being disruptive. Since the game doesn’t stop until the ball goes out of bounds the review can happen long after the play in question. Ball is already on the other end of the field…
 
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T2Kplus20

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May 1, 2007
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The problem is the flow of the game doesn’t lend itself to VAR review without being disruptive. Since the game doesn’t stop until the ball goes out of bounds the review can happen long after the play in question. Ball is already on the other end of the field…
The rule is stupid and VAR is hurting the game even more.
 
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RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
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Well, 2/3 of North America is now out. Let's go beat Belgium - not sure I've wanted to win a WC game more than this one in awhile. Would be payback for 2014 when Tim Howard set a record for most saves in a WC game (16) against Belgium in the round of 16.
 
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RU848789

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Jul 27, 2001
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Always fun watching the English fans singing Wonderwall after big wins. Way better tune than Take Me Home Country Roads, which the US is using - we could've done far better with the obvious choice being 7 Nation Army by the White Stripes, which is used by many soccer teams. Plus Country Roads will always remind me of a bunch of douchy WV fans a couple of times when I went to RU games at WV (especially our triple OT loss there in 2006).
 
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Doctor Worm

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Feb 7, 2002
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England will undoubtedly demand, citing precedent, that Quansah receive the same probation treatment that Balogun did. How can Infantino say no?

That's a rhetorical question of course. He'll say no because he feels like it. End of story.

Yeah I know that this whole mess inures to the benefit of the US. And I am not naive about the degree of FIFA corruption. So I guess this shouldn't bother me. But it kinda does.
 

RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
65,341
44,376
113
England will undoubtedly demand, citing precedent, that Quansah receive the same probation treatment that Balogun did. How can Infantino say no?

That's a rhetorical question of course. He'll say no because he feels like it. End of story.

Yeah I know that this whole mess inures to the benefit of the US. And I am not naive about the degree of FIFA corruption. So I guess this shouldn't bother me. But it kinda does.
I'm sure they will demand something, but there's one big difference. Balogun clearly had zero intent to contact the other player heavily, having his back to him, just trying to establish position, while Quansah dove in with full force and studs up getting the ball then the player. No way they can claim the contact was an "accident." I'm sure he didn't try to hurt him, per se, but he knew the risk of hurting him was fairly high by diving in like that.
 

RU#1fan

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Mar 7, 2003
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No surprise that Belgium and other FIFA countries are pissed off. I'm sure we'd be pissed off if the situation was reversed and it appeared some other country got special treatment. Yes, the decision to suspend Balogun's suspension is the correct decision, but now it's going to become some big political football, because, as most who follow soccer know, FIFA is one of the most corrupt organizations in existence and the Trump-Infantino connection is pretty cozy.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/05/us/trump-fifa-balogun-world-cup.html
Not shocked at that.