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. Fantasy Gold
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    KDB to be rested tomorrow?

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

      he hasnt done anything to deserve one

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

      He's been resting the whole tournament

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

        This

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

      Not according to Demi's source

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

        Predicted lineup mate?:)

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

          Ummmm

          Courtois
          VDB VB Lombaerts Vertonghen
          Dembele Fellaini
          Mirallas KDB Hazard
          Origi

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

            No Alderweireld?

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

              On yellow

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

                Noooooooooo........that means Darmian (1 point) is coming in for me. 😥
                This Gw just gets worse and worse,

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

            Thanks, thought demi gave the whole lineup my bad 🙂

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

              Whole line up?

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

            Origi 😎

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          4. LOCO ABREU
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            no kompany?

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

              Wilmots said he hasn't decided yet whether VB or Kompany will play.
              VB being 100% fit while Vincent has been struggling tips it in VB's favour as far as predictions go.

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

    FFS!! That's already one bet screwed
    Come on Benzema, do something! France are nothing like the team we've seen in the last two games! Jeeeshhhh...

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    1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      You've got a grav 😯

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

        Aye 🙂

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

          Thoughts? How crap is it. 😉

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          1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            As a Scot I'm not going to go to over the top but I like the fact you have one. Been a decent contributor for a very long time now.

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

              Thanks, I think!

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        2. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Good man. About time.

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

            It is alright, feel more like a member of the community now and would be ignored when I ask questions as much! 😛

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

              *wont

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            2. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Definitely makes a difference during the season. If there's 10 RMT the user who has the grav will get the most responses.

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

                Exactly. Got little or none last season. Had to repost about 20 times, filling the page with nothing but repeated posts, still getting no response!

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    2. Studgie G
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      thats cause their best player is on the bench

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

      Because they have almost a completely different 11

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

      France are missing Evra Digne is fecking awful. ecuador need to win so will take risks in 2nd half and Benzema will feast

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

        I hope so!

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  3. Malcolm Tucker for England …
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Suarez hopeful of returning for potential Germany game...
    Fancies a leg of Lahm.

    Where's my coat..?

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    1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Where's your goat?

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      1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Lahm? Goat? Both farmyard animals? Do you see what I did yet... ?

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

          No, just no

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        2. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Sod it, I'll see myself out. Right behind you.

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          1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            🙂

            Watch out for the chickens in the yard

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      2. Malcolm Tucker for England …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I'm welsh, we keep sheep. Goats are for weirdos

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        1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          *date, not keep

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        2. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Keep. That's a ewe word for it.

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          1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            As long as they're female, nothing queer over here

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            1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Could be worse. I'm Scottish and we date ginger people (through lack of choice really).

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

    Thought this would be one of the safest over 2.5s I ever bet on, do something please France

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

      This!

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    2. Vote Joke
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Welcome to betting. It's a business. This is because they make money out of you. No odds are ever in your favour. They're in theirs.

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      1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Easy to make healthy amounts if you know a bit about football

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

          Not really tbh!

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

          As long as you don't get carried away or bet silly amounts on individual bets.

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

            This

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        3. Werkself
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Easier to los healthy amounts if you know a bit about football

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          1. Werkself
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            *lose

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          2. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            eh? The more I have got into fantasy football the more I have won

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

      Am in the same boat, can't seem to win any bets this week at all

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

      My opposites theory is working wonders at this world cup. Pick what you expect to happen and bet on the exact opposite. Will win you a fortune. Thank me later.

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  5. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    RP: Predictions for tomorrow. Thoughts?

    Portugal v Ghana 2-3

    USA v Germany 0-2

    Algeria v Russia 2-1

    South Korea v Belgium 1-2

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

      2-2
      1-3
      1-1
      1-2

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

      Group H 0-0 fest

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    3. GuyIncognito
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Portugal 1 - 3 Ghana
      USA 0 - 3 Germany
      Algeria 1 - 0 Russia
      SK 0 - Belgium 0

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  6. Saniul
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    A dyslexic walks into a bra.

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

      😯

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    2. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Then he sold his soul to Santa

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    3. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Also, who decided to take the p!ss and make dyslexia so hard to spell?

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

        Probably the same guy that decided to call the fear of palindromes 'aibohphobia'....and the fear of long words 'hippopotomonstrosesquipedalianophobia'.

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        1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Nicely done sir 😀

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

            It's all true 😉

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  7. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    well ay least j palacios is outscoring marchisio

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  8. Malcolm Tucker for England …
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I put £2000 on suarez being a complete Helen Hunt during the world cup 😀

    Off to Ladbrokes now to pick up my 50p

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

      They call him Chewy Suarez

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

        Are you referring to Chewsday night?

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  9. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    You are more likely to be bitten by Luis Suarez (1 in 2,000) than a shark (1 in 3,700,000)

    http://www.newstatesman.com/future-proof/2014/06/you-are-more-likely-be-bitten-luiz-suarez-1-2000-shark-1-3700000

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      ill never step foot on a pitch again

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      1. Konig Luther
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        in water you still have more chances to be bitten by Suarez than a shark

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  10. Saniul
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    All I can see happening right now is:
    -Benzema getting subbed out at 70'.
    -Ecuador realising they need to get a goal now, and going all attack.
    -Giroud bagging a brace.

    😐

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

      Benzema's going for the Golden Boot, can't see him being subbed at all personally.

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

        Why was Messi, then?

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

          Messi's too good, he thinks he can do it whatever!

          Didn't realise he had been actually, missed the Argentina game.

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

            Yeah, was surprised to see him taken off at the 60 min mark. The game died instantly.

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    2. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      And John Terry coming on in a France Jersey at the end

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

    Did you know that Xherdan Shaqiri's goals for Switzerland means that with the exception of no 1 every squad number from 2-23 has scored at this ‪#‎WorldCup‬ ?

    So far No 10's are the most prolific with 23 goals - the shirt number worn by top scorers Neymar Jr. and Leo Messi.

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

      And JRod the magnificent

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    2. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Good stat, and Tim Howard has form.....

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

    ooooh Sagna

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

    Come on Deschamps! Bring Valbuena on! I'd much rather have 30 minutes of him than 90 minutes of Bentaleb

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

    Nasty from Valencia

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

      Red Card

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    2. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Dirty fecker

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

    Valencia could of been sent off for that tackle terrible

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

      And he has

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

      He is. 😉

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

    Nearly Palacios!

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

    Stupid boy Valencia.

    Second red in the space of a few weeks 😕

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

    Party on Benzema owners! 🙁

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

    disgusting tackle got what it deserved

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

    WTF!? 😯

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

    Sakho scored 7pts last half 😆

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

      You lucky fecker. 😉

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

      good for you 😉 keep it rolling!

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

    Now we want goals

    Benzegoals

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

      Harder to play against 10 men, or so they say...

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

    Surely the refs can't give out red cards so long after the event...

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

      Better late than never

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

        Aye it was definitely deserved though.

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

      Ref clearly didn't see it, either the linesman told him or he guessed

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

      Got the right call in the end. I just assumed he was getting nothing when it took him an age to hand out the card

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

        Probably looked at the replay on the big screen.

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

      they learnt something from yesterday...videos..shhhhh

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

    Was kinda hoping Evra was going to come on there

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

      same cos Digne is terrible

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

      Me too

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  25. Tony Warner Fan Club
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Honduras are gonna score 🙁
    🙁 🙁 🙁

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

      Hope so...

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

    Nearly again for Honduras.

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

    R.Rod just made a clearance on the line to deny Honduras. He will get 2 points for that right?

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

      Clearance or block?

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

        He's been given the block

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

      Ah he's got them. Nice.

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

    Ecuador is SO weak...

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

    Ecuador should be 1 up

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

    Ecuador you mugs

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