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Mexico v South Africa team news: Rangel starts

11 June 2026 250 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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After much discussion, copious articles and draft after draft of Fantasy FIFA World Cup 2026 teams, the action finally begins tonight.

Co-hosts Mexico get the 2026 World Cup underway against South Africa in a re-run of the 2010 curtain-raiser.

Kick-off is at 20:00 BST.

TEAM NEWS

After much debate, Raul Rangel ($4.9m) gets the nod over Guillermo Ochoa ($4.2m) between the posts for Mexico. The former is owned by 4.9% of managers at the time of writing, so he is right on the cusp of passing the Scouting Bonus threshold.

Further forward, a familiar face to Fantasy Premier League managers, Raul Jimenez ($7.0m), leads the line. 

The 17-year-old prodigy, Gilberto Mora ($4.5m), the youngest player at the World Cup, is on the bench.

As for South Africa, Burnley’s Lyle Foster ($5.4m) spearheads the attack.

While Rangel is flirting with the 5% ownership mark, no other player on show tonight is above that figure.

LINE-UPS

Mexico XI: Rangel, Montes, Vasquez, Reyes, Gallardo, Lira, Fidalgo, Alvarado, Gutierrez, Jimenez, Quinones.

Subs: Acevedo, Ochoa, Sanchez, Alvarez, Chavez, Romo, Pineda, Vargas, Mora, Chavez, Vega, Gimenez, Gonzalez, Huerta, Martinez.

South Africa XI: Williams, Modiba, Mbokazi, Sibisi, Mudau, Okon, Mokoena, Sithole, Adams, Foster, Rayners.

Subs: Chaine, Goss, Matuludi, Ndamane, Kabini, Makhanya, Sebelebele, Cross, Mbatha, Appolis, Moremi, Mofokeng, Zwane, Maseko, Makgopa.

Fantasy FIFA World Cup 2026: Get involved with our coverage!

READ MORE OF OUR FANTASY FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 CONTENT

GROUP A: Mexico | South Africa | Korea Republic | Czechia
GROUP B: Canada | Bosnia & Herzegovina | Qatar | Switzerland
GROUP C: Brazil | Morocco | Haiti | Scotland
GROUP D: USA | Paraguay | Australia | Turkiye
GROUP E: Germany | Curacao | Cote d’Ivoire | Ecuador
GROUP F: Netherlands | Japan | Sweden | Tunisia
GROUP G: Belgium | Egypt | Iran | New Zealand
GROUP H: Spain | Cabo Verde | Saudi Arabia | Uruguay
GROUP I: France | Senegal | Iraq | Norway
GROUP J: Argentina | Algeria | Austria | Jordan
GROUP K: Portugal | DR Congo | Uzbekistan | Colombia
GROUP L: England | Croatia | Ghana | Panama

Round 1 Scout Picks | Round 1 best captains | Round 1 best differentials: | Sleep-friendly XV | Players to avoid | Team reveals | Best players by position + price

Predicted line-ups | Penalty + corner takers | Direct free-kick takers

How to play World Cup 2026 Fantasy | What is ‘Scouting Bonus’? | How to order your starters + subs | Can you captain, transfer or sub 12th Man? | 150 of the best, worst and funniest team names

Join our mini-league + win prizes! | Stats Centre | FREE AI Team Rater | Fixture Ticker | Scouting Bonus tracker | Fixture calendar

250 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Holmes
    • 12 Years
    8 hours, 58 mins ago

    Let's go Proteas!!!

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  2. Weeb Kakashi
    • 10 Years
    8 hours, 56 mins ago

    Marcos Llorente nailed to start?

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    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      8 hours, 55 mins ago

      85%

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    2. Hibbopotamus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 hours, 51 mins ago

      He's not nailed but it sounds like he's more likely to start over Porro.

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  3. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    8 hours, 53 mins ago

    Ha, the intro is like a boxing match walk out lol…

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    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      8 hours, 52 mins ago

      Mexico to win with KO in three rounds…SA to run out of gas….

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  4. Travel Notes
    • 3 Years
    8 hours, 50 mins ago

    Rodriguez and Laporte clocked up to 5%. Too late to transfer out.

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    1. AAAFootball
        8 hours, 47 mins ago

        I sold for Nusa last 3 mins

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        1. Travel Notes
          • 3 Years
          8 hours, 38 mins ago

          Amazing, so did loads of others.

          Laporte and Rodriguez dropped back to 4.8%; Crepau too - from 4.9%. Vargas and Mojica at 4.7%.

          Happy I didn't panic. Now they have to deliver.

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          1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
            • 9 Years
            8 hours, 27 mins ago

            I bought Galindez and Mojica back before the deadline, both just under 5%

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    2. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      8 hours, 48 mins ago

      Estadio Azteca Is some stadium….should be where the final is played…

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      1. The Tinkerman
        • 10 Years
        8 hours, 48 mins ago

        Agreed. Kind of ridiculous that the final isn’t there

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        1. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          8 hours, 45 mins ago

          So many iconic WC moments already tied to the stadium…..

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          1. Jafooli
            • 14 Years
            8 hours, 38 mins ago

            It actually looks/feels like a proper WC pitch/stadium….atmosphere and camera angle all great…

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      2. Travel Notes
        • 3 Years
        8 hours, 37 mins ago

        For sure. Footballing tradition. New York is all about Basketball.

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        1. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          8 hours, 31 mins ago

          Agreed - this place just feels so WC

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      3. Feanor
        • 16 Years
        8 hours, 29 mins ago

        https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/two-sold-concerts-york-could-013607212.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJxnnX9qYk7zj_eiTq3ggKkAuKEZduzUUcwESRnFPZxy8iF5ETPBGKubv8sqjsr7qZYBDPtzQd6OBM-QI6GKjvRX5x5ZPeaQsCiAP0TobOnSCcHYPZL7EpBjTmr1X3F0oLFcsmZSiL17vrvQjjQtyHmRJASF5YuwDS9sZleJj117

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        1. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          8 hours, 24 mins ago

          Lol….did no one check the diary?

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    3. Travel Notes
      • 3 Years
      8 hours, 48 mins ago

      Here we go. Let's have a good one.

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    4. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      8 hours, 48 mins ago

      Crepeau Vargas
      Robinson Estupinan Elvedi Kadioglu James
      Olise Bruno Sane Doku L.Diaz
      Haaland Oyarzabal David

      Tried to strike a balance between adapting to the meta (13 captaincy choices, 9 bonus eligible players) and buying players that are exciting to watch.

      Next week's plan
      Haaland to Mbappe
      Sane to Raphinha
      Yamal 12th man
      WC3

      Good luck people!

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    5. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      8 hours, 46 mins ago

      Raul Jimenez only PL in these two squads, since Burnley (Lyle Foster) got relegated?

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    6. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      8 hours, 44 mins ago

      Still says Round 1 open to transfers

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    7. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      8 hours, 44 mins ago

      South Africa win the toss…

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      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        8 hours, 42 mins ago

        …and we’re off, 104 x games, gonna watch them all…

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        1. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          8 hours, 41 mins ago

          …and provide minute by minute commentary on here, in case you don’t have a TV…

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        2. Travel Notes
          • 3 Years
          8 hours, 36 mins ago

          I'm not. 3am is sleepy time

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        3. Revival
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          8 hours, 34 mins ago

          92 games for me as all of the last of the games in each group take place at the same time I will watch whichever of the 2 games has the most at stake. 12 less games to watch I suppose.

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          1. Jafooli
            • 14 Years
            8 hours, 31 mins ago

            Get multi-screen and fry your noggin…

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      2. JBG
        • 8 Years
        8 hours, 41 mins ago

        That's huge though, 60% off the time the coin toss winner, wins every time.

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        1. LangerznMash
          • 9 Years
          8 hours, 27 mins ago

          alright Brain Fantana

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        2. AAAFootball
            8 hours, 25 mins ago

            I think this was the 40%

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      3. FPL Brains
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        8 hours, 41 mins ago

        Transfers still open or isit a bug already?

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        1. Bobby Digital
          • 8 Years
          8 hours, 41 mins ago

          I don't dare to make transfers

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        2. Steavn8k
          • 3 Years
          8 hours, 40 mins ago

          Crossing fingers for an early goal.

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        3. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          8 hours, 40 mins ago

          FIFA taking bribes for late changes…just send your bank account details & PIN

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        4. Travel Notes
          • 3 Years
          8 hours, 35 mins ago

          Don't do it.

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      4. JBG
        • 8 Years
        8 hours, 38 mins ago

        Jimenez close

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        1. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          8 hours, 37 mins ago

          Good save Williams…

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      5. FPL Brains
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        8 hours, 37 mins ago

        Rangel
        Vasquez - Cucurella - Kimmich - Ryerson
        Olise - Yamal - Wirtz
        Haaland - Embolo - Oyarzabal

        Nyland - Sanchez - James Rodriquez - Bruno Fernandes

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        1. PartyTime
          • 4 Years
          8 hours, 35 mins ago

          Nive but no france

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          1. FPL Brains
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            8 hours, 23 mins ago

            Where's Olise from?

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            1. x.jim.x
              • 11 Years
              8 hours, 5 mins ago

              London

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              1. FPL Brains
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 14 Years
                7 hours, 58 mins ago

                Haha so true.

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                1. x.jim.x
                  • 11 Years
                  7 hours, 52 mins ago

                  English FA fumbled him for Madueke ffs

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      6. Travel Notes
        • 3 Years
        8 hours, 34 mins ago

        Goaaaaaallllll

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        1. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          8 hours, 33 mins ago

          And we’re off….

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        2. Travel Notes
          • 3 Years
          8 hours, 32 mins ago

          Quinones.... not in my team.

          0.6% owned.

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          1. Jafooli
            • 14 Years
            8 hours, 28 mins ago

            Only in his Mom’s team…

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          2. LangerznMash
            • 9 Years
            8 hours, 27 mins ago

            still open for transfers so put him in lol

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      7. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        8 hours, 34 mins ago

        Mexico 1 - 0 SA

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      8. JBG
        • 8 Years
        8 hours, 33 mins ago

        Very bad decision making and defending by South Africa just cost them

        Mexico with the first goal this WC.

        Quinones G, no assist

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        1. CoracAld2831
          • 5 Years
          8 hours, 8 mins ago

          Lira scoring an assist apparently.

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      9. Revival
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 hours, 32 mins ago

        Mistake by Sithole

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        1. JBG
          • 8 Years
          8 hours, 31 mins ago

          Was a pretty sit mistake

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        2. Steavn8k
          • 3 Years
          8 hours, 31 mins ago

          Doing his best with that name

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        3. jacob1989
          • 4 Years
          8 hours, 26 mins ago

          Poor and risky pass by gk too. This SA team doesnt look great till now

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        4. CoracAld2831
          • 5 Years
          8 hours, 6 mins ago

          Very unforrtunate name.

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      10. Steavn8k
        • 3 Years
        8 hours, 29 mins ago

        SA looking like a sunday league team so far

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        1. JBG
          • 8 Years
          8 hours, 25 mins ago

          Not even an exaggeration.

          Which makes me think, how bad will teams like Haiti and Curacao look like.

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          1. jacob1989
            • 4 Years
            8 hours, 23 mins ago

            And cape verde, uzbekistan, jordan among others

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          2. Jafooli
            • 14 Years
            8 hours, 21 mins ago

            Very - gonna be some big scores when the play Brazil & Germany and then Spain play Cabo Verde (population - 500,000)….Portugal vs DRC, Argentina vs Jordan etc

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          3. Revival
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            8 hours, 19 mins ago

            Suspect Scotland might make Haiti look much better than they are do before Brazil demolish them.

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            1. JBG
              • 8 Years
              8 hours, 16 mins ago

              Brought in the Scottish striker for this fixture.

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              1. jacob1989
                • 4 Years
                8 hours, 14 mins ago

                I got mctominay

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                1. JBG
                  • 8 Years
                  8 hours, 11 mins ago

                  Considered him, but way too many good midfield options.

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                2. Jafooli
                  • 14 Years
                  8 hours, 9 mins ago

                  Got McGinn here lol…

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        2. jacob1989
          • 4 Years
          8 hours, 24 mins ago

          The 2010 team was much better

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          1. Travel Notes
            • 3 Years
            8 hours, 14 mins ago

            They were at home, with the Vuvuzela.

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            1. MOTHRA
              • 10 Years
              6 hours, 9 mins ago

              Oh how I miss the vuvuzela. I think I’ll get it out of the garage so the neighbours can share the memories.

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      11. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        8 hours, 27 mins ago

        That referee cam for the goal was flipping awesome…

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      12. LangerznMash
        • 9 Years
        8 hours, 22 mins ago

        https://www.spl.com.sa/en/news/1072828/golden-boot-to-global-glow-quinones-to-light-up-fifa-world-cup-kick-off

        Wish i read this before deadline.

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        1. JBG
          • 8 Years
          8 hours, 18 mins ago

          Saw some random user on twatter vouch for him. Saying something along the lines off "bring him in, he will score 2 goals tonight".

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          1. Travel Notes
            • 3 Years
            8 hours, 12 mins ago

            He had a good try for the second.

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      13. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        8 hours, 18 mins ago

        Right time for my hydration break, hic 😉

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      14. JBG
        • 8 Years
        8 hours, 17 mins ago

        Wtf... commercial break, what in the Super Bowl horseshite is this?

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        1. Travel Notes
          • 3 Years
          8 hours, 11 mins ago

          Pants.

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        2. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          8 hours, 10 mins ago

          Soccer

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      15. Feanor
        • 16 Years
        8 hours, 17 mins ago

        Love that soccer is played in quarters now.

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        1. JBG
          • 8 Years
          8 hours, 15 mins ago

          Saaackurr

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      16. Revival
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 hours, 17 mins ago

        So now we cut to Ad breaks in the middle of the half when players take a drinks break, simply lovely!

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        1. jacob1989
          • 4 Years
          8 hours, 15 mins ago

          Cricket fans are used to it after every over

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        2. NZREDS
          • 12 Years
          8 hours, 14 mins ago

          Yeah that’s niggly

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      17. jacob1989
        • 4 Years
        8 hours, 16 mins ago

        Why is the clock running in drinks break?

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        1. x.jim.x
          • 11 Years
          8 hours, 9 mins ago

          It’s football

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        2. tutankamun
          • 16 Years
          8 hours, 5 mins ago

          It’s a nonsense. Commentator just said it’s 23 degrees. Good grief.

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      18. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        8 hours, 9 mins ago

        Good to see FFS listened to all the user feedback last time they had an annoying popup ad on here. Sick of it already.

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      19. JBG
        • 8 Years
        8 hours, 5 mins ago

        Not sure why Mexico keep on kicking it long from the back, when they can easily pass it through the SA team.

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        1. CoracAld2831
          • 5 Years
          8 hours, 3 mins ago

          Jitters.

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      20. Weeb Kakashi
        • 10 Years
        8 hours, 4 mins ago

        Did a late Llorente to Laporte transfer. Now I have Llorente for MD1 and Laporte for MD2.

        Still have my 2 transfers intact though

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      21. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        8 hours, 3 mins ago

        Mexico player down, could sneak in an ad break…

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        1. Travel Notes
          • 3 Years
          8 hours, 1 min ago

          Or a taco.

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          1. Jafooli
            • 14 Years
            7 hours, 59 mins ago

            And a Corona…

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      22. JBG
        • 8 Years
        8 hours, 1 min ago

        Williams yet again saving SA

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        1. JBG
          • 8 Years
          8 hours, 1 min ago

          And now the post

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