634x258 Dugout Discussion
25 June 2014 3486 comments
Paul Paul
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Groups E and F come to their conclusions this evening as the Brazil 2014 World Cup treats us to four more fixtures. Argentina are already through, after winning both their opening matches courtesy of late Lionel Messi strikes, and the South Americans square up to a Nigeria side who require just a draw to join them in the last 16:

Argentina: Romero; Zabaleta, Garay, Fernandez, Rojo; Gago, Mascherano, Di Maria; Messi, Higuain, Aguero

Nigeria: Enyeama; Ambrose, Omeruo Yobo, Oshaniwa; Mikel, Onazi; Odemwingie, Babatunde, Musa; Emenike,

Alejandro Sabella names an unchanged XI from the side that edged past Iran last time around. Despite the fact that his side have clinched a place in the last 16, the Argentina boss has resisted the urge to rest and rotate and is clearly affording his first-choice players the chance to step up in performance, after a pair of very unconvincing showings thus far. Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero once again lead the line, then, with Angel Di Maria owners looking for the Real Madrid man to improve his contribution from the centre of the park.

Nigeria – along with Mexico – were one of only two sides to register a clean sheet in both the opening Matchdays. It’s no real surprise, then, to see the Africans remain unchanged, with Peter Odemwingie hoping to replicate his winner against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous match as Stephen Keshi’s side attempt to pick up the point which would ensure their progress.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Begovic; Vrsajevic, Sunjic, Spahic, Kolasinac; Hadzic, Besic, Susic, Pjanic; Ibisevic, Dzeko

Iran: Haghighi; Montarezi, Hosseini, Sadeghi, Pooladi; Nekounam, Teymourian; Shojaei, Hajsafi, Dejagah; Ghoochannejad

Bosnia make five changes in their final game of the tournament. In defence, full-backs Avdija Vrsajevic and Sead Kolasinac come in for Mensur Mujdza and SenadLulic, whilst further up the field, Zvjedan Misimovic, Izet Hajrovic and Haris Medunjanin drop out for Anel Hadzic, Tino-Sven Susic and Vedad Ibisevic. Manager Safet Susic looks to have returned to the 4-1-3-2 formation that served his side so well in qualifying, with Ibisevic up front alongside Edin Dzeko.

Iran, meanwhile, are unchanged for the showdown as Carlos Quieroz’ side attempt to overcome the odds and make it through to the knockouts. As the only team in the tournament yet to score a goal, though, they face a tough task to get the better of the Bosnians.

In the later matches, Karim Benzema owners will be desperate for the France striker to continue the form which has harvested three goals and a trio of assists in the opening couple of Matchdays. With his side already through, though, Didier Deschamps certainly has the option of resting key players, with the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba hoping to return to the starting XI after both were dropped for last week’s 5-2 win over Switzerland. Opponents Ecuador have an in-form frontman of their own as they look for the result that would steer them through – Enner Valencia has also notched three times in the first two games and has netted in six of his last seven international appearances.

Switzerland also have plenty to play for. A win over Honduras, coupled with at least a draw for the French, would seal the progress of Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side as they look to bounce back from their mauling at the hands of Les Bleus, though the Swiss boss has decisions to make up front, after alternating Josip Drmic and Haris Seferovic as the lone forward over the first two games. Fantasy managers will be hoping raiding left-back Ricardo Rodriguez can replicate his pair of assists in Matchday 1, whilst Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka offer the main threat in the attacking midfield three.

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  1. LewanGOALski
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Ecuador is SO weak...

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  2. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Ecuador should be 1 up

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  3. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Ecuador you mugs

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  4. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Damn, can't find the song that was on iradio about Suarez
    It was something like.......'Suarez bites again' instead 'another one bites the dust'. You have to say it in the right rhythm 😉

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Stop listening to music and watch the game.

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      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I'm doing that too, but it's boring me. And I NEED Benzema to score!!

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    2. Mr Sarcastic
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      And Freddie singing surely 🙂

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    3. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Thats not another another one bites the dust. There is a song it would fit to, but I cant quite work out exactly what it would be. Mental block.

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  5. Tommytour
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Block nice 🙂

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  6. tm245
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Can't Ecuador still qualify? What are they doing?

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    1. Tommytour
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Getting sent off

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    2. CABAYE4
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Only chance now is to hit France on the break.

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  7. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    France have put about 30% effort into this game

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    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Ya, so annoying!

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    2. LewanGOALski
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      And they'll still win it

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    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Needs some Remy and Giroud

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    4. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      No point exerting themselves too much

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  8. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Remy coming on 🙁 guess it's bye bye Benzema!

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      France are through now anyway

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      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        So? That doesn't make any difference to my Benzema anytime 😉

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    2. Tommytour
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Could be Griezmann Sissoko

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  9. Mr Sarcastic
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Three last posts missed on last page, here you have 'em

    Ecuador is SO weak...
    Ecuador should be 1 up
    Ecuador you mugs

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  10. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Benzema soon to come off

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  11. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Remy coming on. Might be 10 v 10 soon 🙂

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I think They just realised

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  12. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Surely about time Giroud came on

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    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Oh Remy

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  13. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Sun dream team trade....

    Benzema or RVP ?

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      RVP

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    2. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      RVP

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      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Hmmm, I was thinking of getting Robben in midfield.

        Thought RVP and Robben maybe overkill..

        No France.

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        1. Bubz
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          I'm not familiar with the sun game, how many transfers do you get between each round etc? I say RvP just because of their kind games. Mexico then either Costa Rica or Greece. Might be best to spread across different teams though. Especially as, despite being more winnable fixtures, they're playing teams who will be defending hard.

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        2. The 12th Man
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          J Rod only 3.5 in Sun

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    3. Tommytour
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Benzema v Nigeria over RVP v Mexico

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      1. Tommytour
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        RVP for long term though

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    4. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I'm going Benzema, as I have Robben. Only side note is that i have no French midfielder.

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  14. LewanGOALski
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    having a small offtopic, I love Everton's new home kit! Very nice one by Umbro.

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    1. The 12th Man
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      agree totally. The crest is much better too. A joke last season.

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  15. SW6
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Nooooo 🙁

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Sup? Rivals got Sakho?

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      1. SW6
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I have Sakho, think he was subbed too early.

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  16. Frip
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Varane on, let's go

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  17. emperikal
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Noooooo. Varane's cameo keeps Blinds CS on the bench 🙁

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  18. Jack Frost
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Varane on for a point.

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  19. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    That's the tough thing about the McDonald's game.

    Picking players from teams that are likely to qualify brings positives and negatives. Likely to rack up points but likely to be rested if they qualify so soon 😕

    Gonna be tough for me to field a decent 11 this week with all these early subs and players benched, etc.

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    1. LewanGOALski
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah, I am facing a similar problem. Especially thay my 3 Belgians may be rested tomorrow as well (about 2 I am pretty sure)

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    2. Reedy
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Very true. Coupled with the fact that cheap defenders that concede often outscore all your other players...it's like you're being punished for making good picks.

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Greek defenders for the win

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        1. Reedy
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Seems that way!

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    3. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      No idea what you're talking about. I dont think I actually have to make any transfers before next round. Got a full team this week too.

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    4. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I have a solid dislike for the game. Probably not helped by my poor rank or the fact I somehow benched Jordi alba and his 16 points.

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  20. 1966 was a great year for E…
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone playing the Mirror game here? I'm no. 1 in the world at the minute 🙂

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    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Really? Well done

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      1. 1966 was a great year for E…
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Yep. Early days, I know, but £10k 1st prize!

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    2. emperikal
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Well played. Seems like the FFS community is smashing all the available games!

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    3. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      We know. Nice 😎

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      1. 1966 was a great year for E…
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Ha, I posted it on the wrong thread. After my disastrous FPL season, don't begrudge me this brag 😉

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    4. Tommytour
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Congrats!

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    5. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Nice one. What's the top prize?

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      1. 1966 was a great year for E…
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        £10k 😯

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        1. MJ6987
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          That would be nice. Good luck!

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          1. 1966 was a great year for E…
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Cheers!

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      2. Jack Frost
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Hang in there 1966

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    6. Reedy
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Well played!

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  21. asquishypotato
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    That's lucky for Sakhos owners, subbed off seconds after the hour mark!

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    1. SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Pretty sure it's 65mins in McD game for some reason

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      1. SW6
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        More than 61mins it says, doubt he'll get the points

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        1. Pinky and Brain
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          And team without him has to keep clean sheet until end of game.

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    2. Mr Sarcastic
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      and that is just very close for getting cs points, but not quite enough 🙂

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      1. Mr Sarcastic
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        so it's actually unlucky

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  22. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Feck you keeper! Come on Benzema score!!

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  23. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Nooooo Varane coming on keeps Besic's 1 point on my bench 🙁

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    1. emperikal
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Mocking me? 😉

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      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        More mocking myself and how terrible my defence has done 😆

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        1. emperikal
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Haha y I'm looking at a 1 - 1 - 2 at the back with Courtois to play. Ugly

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  24. Mikeharbrw
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Did sakho make it to 60?

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    1. Demí
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Need to know this too. Saw he was getting attention on the bench at 60:43 but didnt see when he came off

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    2. Frip
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      barely, 60:20 or so

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    3. Demí
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Appears he did

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      1. Mr Sarcastic
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        not enough in McD, but maybe you're talking about Fox

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  25. tm245
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    If he had just tried to score instead of diving he would have gotten a goal.

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    1. tm245
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Jerry P in the Honduras match.

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  26. Demí
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Did Sakho make 60?

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    1. PGR
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Just about.

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    2. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Literally like 5 seconds over

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      1. Demí
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers guys

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    3. SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Rules say more than 61mins though? Have Sakho myself, hope he gets the points

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      1. The Missing Link
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        This 😀

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      2. Reedy
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I was going to say, it's 61mins in McD's

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      3. Mr Sarcastic
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        how could he?

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        1. SW6
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          I don't know, they might make a mistake 🙂

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          1. Mr Sarcastic
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            when you say it like that...actually you can count those points in!

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  27. PGR
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    That Ecuador goalkeeper is having a great game!

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  28. Sif
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    3/1 for Argentina, Switzerland & France to win. Come on France!

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    1. CABAYE4
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Goal will come.

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    2. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      That's the bet I took too! Urging France to score a bucket load!

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  29. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    This is bull!

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  30. Declan
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Jerry YC

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