My nephew is doing a summer internship for the Norwegian team IK Start, so I now have a rooting interest for Norway. Also, Haaland is a likeable goofy superstar, and the Viking row is tremendous.
2026 World Cup - General Discussion & Non-USA teams thread
- Thread starter Tom McAndrew
- Start date
My nephew is doing a summer internship for the Norwegian team IK Start, so I now have a rooting interest for Norway. Also, Haaland is a likeable goofy superstar, and the Viking row is tremendous.
Picks played an unbeleeevable game! One of several Men of the Match.
I just got back from a 10/10 workout, at my age this happens maybe once a month. So I’m good, thanks. And I got a “We are!” in the locker room, always nice! I wear my Penn State sweatshirt to the gym, I gotta represent.
I was thinking of your earlier post about Pickford while I was watching the highlights this morning.
I watched the highlights again and noticed that Haaland’s volley never hit the ground. Dang.
He also got a yellow card during the game while on the sidelines. Not a good night for him.
Portugal from 10 years ago with a prime Ronaldo may have had a chance. They seem to be in between eras as a national team right now.
I came in late, and this particular play was the first real chance I saw.
It’s never been easier to play “Spot the 41-year-old,” sorry, but it’s true.
Felt like Portugal fell asleep there--great pass though--not sure how you let that happen there
And another decent chance by Portugal on a FK that is headed wide. And that's the match, 1-0, Spain.
Yeah, exactly my take.
Thank God Spain scored, this match wasn't providing much excitement.
What do you mean no excitement?
- Score was 0-0 at halftime
- Score was 0-0 when the clock runs out at 90 minutes
- But in soccer the clocks never runs out. In fact time counts upwards
- When the game is supposed to be over (90 minutes) it keeps going
- A goal is finally scored in what would normally be called overtime
- Then somebody on the sidelines holds up a sign that says we're playing 6 more minutes
- But after 96 minutes the game goes on. Only the ref knows when the game is really over
- Sometime around 97 and a half minutes the ref had enough and decides the game is over
And yet, when I watch games, I know pretty much exactly when the ref will blow the whistle to stop the game/half (sometimes there might be a question of if he'll let them take the corner or if he'll let an attack go forward, but it's always pretty close). It's almost like fans of the sport can figure it out pretty easily.
It's like the concept of playing the advantage on a foul. Some can't comprehend it (why don't they just blow the whistle on every foul like in basketball), but it makes the game flow much better and works out well.
I direct you to a post of mine from earlier in the thread. The "mystery and intrigue" is only to those that don't understand the rules and the process.
2026 World Cup - General Discussion & Non-USA teams thread - Page 29 - Forums
Please use this thread for all discussions of the 2026 World Cup that do not involve the USA team.
And the "somebody on the sidelines" is the 4th official, which I don't specifically address in my prior post (a bit, but not with regards to the statement in your bullet). He's every bit a member of the ref crew, and is wired in on the comms with the rest of the reffing crew. And if the center ref or one of the ARs would get injured during the match, this "somebody" would be their replacement.
Yes, very rarely am I surprised by the timing of the final whistle of the half. Once Spain scored you knew a couple more minutes were going to be added. I suppose the whole concept of stoppage time is difficult for casual fans to fully grasp, but I myself rarely have issues with it.
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The concept of stoppage time is pretty straightforward. Maybe not the optimal way to handle game stops, but the concept is clear.
But why is there no transparency as to the amount of time left, other than sheer stubbornness?
I understand that now. Although not a fan of allowing anyone to attempt the PK, I understand any team would select their most reliable player to kick. Urh, except Brasil. What was their HC/Manager thinking by not letting Vinn. Jr take the PK?
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Usually I agree about knowing when the whistle will blow but I think everyone was confused in the game today. The announcers were, Spain was...hell I even think Portugal was pleasantly surprised. Not a big deal but today was an exception.
Yeah, in today’s second-half stoppage time we had a goal and I think two separate stoppages for substitutes, maybe three. I completely understand the frustration and confusion we’re seeing. I file it under “There’s not a damn thing I can do about it so I focus on the parts I like.”
Edit One substitution, two yellow cards in second-half stoppage time. FWIW, there was originally 6’ of stoppage time, the game ended at 9’.
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Agreed--I knew the goal would delay things (as it should) and the stoppage but I think it went on more than I expected. I wasn't angry about it--just acknowledging while usually I have a good idea of when it's stopping occasionally you get a game like today when it's unclear. I wouldn't have been shocked if it went another minute honestly.
