The Three Dads World Cup Wonderland

In a departure from previous tournaments, I've not been embracing the full multi-device set-up for these final group games. So far that is. The frantic experience of last night has changed that - as I hopped madly between channels to see whether Poland would pick up the 2 extra yellow cards that might see them get knocked out, or Mexico on the other channel to get an elusive third. It was compelling stuff for 20 minutes - and certainly enough for me to come prepared tonight, with telly showing the Costa Rica vs Germany game, Japan and Spain battling it out on the tablet, and phone close at hand for any mathemetical calculations or regulations look-ups that might be required along the way. I'll certainly miss having Mexico in the knockout stages, they normally provide good excitement before bowing out in the last 16, no such luck this time. That they have been edged out by the utterly coma-inducing Poland is a travesty. Despite their match against France being billed as a Mbappe...

 Some cracking games the last few days. I'm not going to recap them this evening as I'm getting my game face on for England vs Wales, so thought I'd share my pre-match thoughts. This post therefore has a very short shelf-life and I'll likely look foolish pretty much right after I've hit the publish button. Team selection: not too much to disagree with here. I'm rarely excited about seeing Henderson alongside Rice in our midfield, but I understand why its happened. I'm not massively excited about Stones and Macguire as a CB partnership, but given their form together in the two games so far, I understand why its happened. Swapping out the set-piece threat of Trippier for lockdown punter Walker doesn't massively excite me, but I understand why its happened. The whole selection is a microcosm of the Southgate pragmatism. Its all based in sound logic, but just isn't exciting. Just as with Grealish last tournament, he seems to have begrudgingly come around...

This morning's blog post comes as Japan and Costa Rica face-off in the seismic Group E. Germans everywhere will be praying for a Costa Rica win, which would potentially leave them in a place where they might still be able to qualify, even with a second defeat, against Spain tonight. (I think). Its actually a pretty good game. I love the Japan team for their positivity and pace; and its nice to see Costa Rica dust themselves down after their schooling by Spain the other day. The past couple of days have been fun. Brazil did Brazil things and Richarlison, whilst a hateful (and in my view wildly overrated) player domestically, put on a good display of flair. Friday was decent I thought. The Wales v Iran game was pulsating, and Iran well worth their win. The result made England's opening game result look all the better. Qatar confirmed that they are indeed probably the worst quality hosts of all time, and in doing so set up a nice 3 way fight for Group A, with Netherlands and Ecuad...