Bury My Heart En La Pausa De Hidratación. Las Cruces De Boothill Conocen La Ruta Hasta La Gran Manzana

Football is not a game of 4 quarters

Well what do you think so far? Some negatives, those bloody "hydration" breaks are a farce, especially when it's pissing down with rain. There have been a few dodgy refereeing decision which seem to favour the big teams - Messi should have been sent off for a terrible tackle before he scored his hattrick (I'm glad he wasn't but that's not the point) and some of the minnows have been on the end of some poor decisions. VAR is still a nonsense. Now having said that there have been some really enjoyable games so far though I expect things to get more cagey as we go deeper. Most of the little teams have had their moments to remember but now is when the competition really starts at the knockout stage.

South Africa v CANADA
The Cannuks have been punching above their weight so far and this is a favourable draw to continue that run. The Bafana Bafana as expected, will fight every inch of the way bit I fancy the hosts to progress.

Brazil v JAPAN
This isn't one of the great Brazilian sides. They seem slow and vulnerable at the back though still have World class players who can change a game. The Nips have impressed with their all action style and I fancy them to pull off a major shock here.

GERMANY v Paraguay
The Huns are masters of competitive football despite their questionable performance once they had qualified (did they throw the match?) They should have far too much for a Paraguay team who were happy just to qualify.

NETHERLANDS v Morocco
The Dutch have been impressive so far. Strong in defence and with a potent attack they will go deep. Morocco are a decent side and will give them a game but I expect the Orange army to progress.

IVORY COAST v Norway
We're Norway right to rest most of their team for the last match? Time will tell. They are an entertaining side with Haaland a real star and their Viking rowing celebration is iconic but Ivory Coast are one of Africa's top sides, powerful and talented, and will just about have too much for the Northmen. Shame.

FRANCE v Sweden
The froggies have been the most impressive side so far, for me. World class talent throughout the team lead by the mercurial Mbappe. The Swedes are an ordinary side who were fortunate to qualify and could be on the end of a hiding.

MEXICO v Ecuador
The joint hosts have improved after a shakey start and qualified in style. They should despatch Ecuador, who have over performed in qualifying. Are Mexico contenders? No but they will make the last 16 at least.

ENGLAND v Congo DR
Bloody hell England are dull to watch. They are so slow and deliberate but still look suspect in defence. As soon as they meet anyone decent they will be out. Not yet though as the Congolese will be happy just to have qualified for the knockout stages for the first time.

Belgium v SENEGAL
What is it with Belgium??? How many times have they failed to deliver in major competitions despite having a team packed with World class players? I think it will happen again against an excellent Senegal, another strong and athletic African side with top class experienced players.

USA v Bosnia
The Yanks have been solidly impressive and their defeat in last game was down to resting most of the first team. I expect them to best a keen but ordinary Bosnian side though they will be difficult to break down. The Real test for the Yanks will come in the following rounds.

SPAIN v Austria
Did that embarrassing draw against Cape Verde highlight an old problem with the Spanish? That of totally controlling a game in possession but being unable to turn that into goals. Here they will dominated an Austrian side who are as exciting as a night out in Darlington and progress but the jury's still out on if they are serious contenders.

PORTUGAL v Croatia
Ronaldos lads have played some nice attacking football at times but they somehow don't have the look of prospective champions. Croatia will always battle hard and could spring an upset but they are vulnerable at the back and I expect Portugals galaxy of attacking players to exploit this weakness.

Switzerland v ALGERIA
This one is too close to call. The Swiss are a very competitive tournament side whilst the Algerians are an attacking force, keen to get forward at every opportunity. I expect them to edge this one but it may go to penalties.

Australia v EGYPT
Given the quality of Egypts attackers, especially Mo and Marmoush it's surprising this is the first time they have qualified for the knockout stages.The Aussies will battle as you expect Aussie to do but they won't have enough to get past the Egyptians and will be back home setting up the barbie before the next round.

ARGENTINA v Cape Verde
One of the favourites verses a tiny Atlantic Island nation there can be ony one result. The Cape boys have already won their World Cup but qualifying and frankly the more we get to see the sublime Messi in action thr better. The current holders are making a real fist of their defence of the trophy.

COLOMBIA v Ghana
I expect another close game between two strong and competitive sides. The Colombians may just have the edge with their attacking flair and it would be great to continue to see that legend Valderamas iconic hairstyle in the crowd once more but the Ghanaians will push them hard.

It's starting to get interesting. I have to say despite many reservations I'm still enjoying the football but this is when it gets serious. It's been an unpredictable ride, or my predictions have been shit, long may that continue.

Canada v MOROCCO
It's fair to say the Canadians have already exceeded all expectations give their World ranking. I think it all ends here against a dangerous Moroccan side. The Atlas Lions shocked the favoured Dutch with a deserved win although they needed penalties to achieve it. They will be too strong in every department for the Cannuks who can get back to Hockey.

Paraguay v FRANCE
The white and reds of Paraguay will adopt the same tactics that got them the shock win over the fancied Germans (ha ha ha ha). They will put everyman behind the ball and hope for a goal on a rare break. Problem is the Frenchies have all the weapons to break down tight defences and have frankly been sublime to watch. If they score early it good get messy for the South Americans. An easy win for Les Bleus.

BRAZIL v Norway
The Brazilians have been unconvincing so far, relying on moments of magic from individuals and they certainly have weaknesses. The Norwegians have been one of the hits of the competition so far. Haaland has been deadly and how can you not love the Viking rowing celebration. Fantastic. I just don't think the will have enough to upset Brazil, though it may be closer than some are predicting.

Mexico v ENGLAND
The Mexicans went through Equador like a Jalapeño curry but this will be a different proposition. Despite England's struggle to progress so far man for man they are a farce superior side. This doesn't always translate and playing at altitude in the Azteca Stadium is foreboding but I expect England to win and Sir Harry to continue his scoring run.

Portugal v SPAIN
There's been some talk of referees favouring the "big" clubs and the ridiculous decision to disallow Croatias equaliser against Portugal gives fiel to that fire. A shocking call. Their luck will run out against a Spain side who routed a poor Austrian side and who look like they are getting better in every game, real contenders. So it will be goodbye to the genius Ronnie.

usa v BELGIUM
The hosts won comfortably in the last round but lost earlier in the only game they were really tested. An easy route to the last 16 means they have flattered but will be found out against better opposition. The Belgians were incredibly lucky to get past Senegal in the last round. With 10 minutes to go they were dead and buried in a game totally dominated by Senegal. And the last minute penalty was debatable at the very least. But you have to admire their resilience. if they finally play to potential they should take the Yanks comfortably but don't be too surprised if they go out with a whimper. Belgium for me.

ARGENTINA v Egypt
The Argies made heavy weather of beating everybody's favourite underdogs Cape Verde in the last round but the aim of the game is to progress and that they did. They will be far too strong for a Egypt side who struggled to beat a limited Australia on penalties. If the Argies score early it could get Messi (boom, boom)

Switzerland v COLOMBIA
The Swiss have confounded me at every stage so far. They are extremely well organised and do pose a threat going forward but I think this is the end of the road. The Colombians dominated a decent Ghana team in the last round and are some people's dark horses forbthe cup. I don't think they will but you won't want to play them in the next round.

FRANCE v Morocco
The French overcame the thuggery of the Paraguayans in the last round. How the South American hit men avoided any yellow cards was just wrong. It gave the conspiracy theorists more ammunition to suggest FIFA are corrupt and will do anything to prevent France, clear favourites to win, from advancing. Thank goodness right prevailed. The Moroccans have shown their FIFA ranking is not an anomaly. They are a fine attacking side when given space like against Canada but this will be different. That space will be in short supply against a French team who should comfortably progress.

SPAIN v Belgium
The Spanish just about edged the Iberian derby with a late strike but should be worried about their lack of penetration upfront. Their defence, however is immaculate so Belgium will need something special to pull off a surprise. They are well capable of doing so when firing on all cylinders like they did against the USA (with the whole world behind them ha ha ha). This will be another very tight game but I expect Spain to grind out another 1-0 result.

Norway v ENGLAND
We have a long history of conflict with the Vikings of Norway. Will this be the Battle of Fulford or Stamford Bridge?. The Norwegians stunned Brazil with a deserved win, lead by that ultimate Northman, Haaland. They are not a one man side though, being strong in defence and industrious in midfield too. In the last round England produced the greatest backs to the wall performance since Rorkes Drift. Is this gonna be our year? I doubt it as we have too many defensive frailties but I think we'll edge this one. A meeting with our old nemesis Argentina awaits......

ARGENTINA v Switzerland
Now I really like Messi, an undeniable football genius but it's also becoming undeniable that a case is being made for a rising number of dodgy decisions going their way, especially in the game against Egypt. FIFA corruption on full display. The Swiss continue to wildly exceed all expectations at every stage. The game against Colombia was a cure for insomnia but they never looked like losing. They are very well organised defensively have an industrious midfield and a strike threat upfront but I think the Argies will have too much for them. Frankly you get the thought that if the Swiss are leading the Argies will be a debatable penalty or decision to ensure they progress. So can't see anything but an Argentina win.

FRANCE v Spain
The French beat Morocco at a canter, never having to get out of second gear, even able to miss a penalty. They remain the favourites but I don't think they have been really tested. Until now. The Spanish once again only squeezed past an opposition they were clearly superior to, with a late strike from a substitute. They clearly have problems upfront and despite having the best defence in the competition this will come back to bite them in the arse. Make no mistake this should be a titanic struggle worthy of a final and will boast the competitions winners. It could go to pens but I think Frances more potent attack will prevail.

Argentina v ENGLAND
The Argies, FIFAs favourites, progressed as expected but made hard weather of a well organised but frankly average Swiss side who had been reduced to 10 men. But they always seem to win. Is it luck, is it "ref bias" or is it the sign of a great team? You decide. England have been poor to be honest apart from a 20 minute spell against Croatia. We have relied on grit, last minute defending and moments of brilliance from Kane and especially, Bellingham. We have the players so if we finally put it all together we can beat our nemesis and finally put that cheating "Hand of God" bollocks to bed. I think we will.

Well here we are at the sharp end of this years World Cup. Has it been a feast of football or a preordained FIFA cheat fest. A bit of both I suppose but despite the many misgivings I've generally enjoyed the footie. We should never have the World Cup in USA again though. Anyway here we go. The Final:

ARGENTINA v Spain
Well FIFA got their favourites to the final by hook and by crook. The Argies deserved their win after England basically surrendered after going a goal up and matching them. Baffling. The Argies were given acres of space and time to bombard the England area and it was no surprise when they scored 2 late goals. Bastards. The Spanish simply blew the favourites France away with a complete team performance. They were lively, quick into the tackle and attacked with pace and purpose to dominate. If they play like that again they should win but the Argies will seek to do what they did to England in the first half, that is disrupt the flow if the game at every opportunity with numerous fouls that failed to draw any yellow cards, we've seen that before from officials, time wasting and any dirty trick in the book. They obviously looked good when England gave them time and space, as any of the top teams would have done. I can't see Spain making that mistake. They don't give up possession easily. I hope the Spanish pull it off if it means Trump has to hand over the trophy to a nation that has openly thumbed its nose to the walker but I have a horrible feeling the Argies will nick it probably helped by some highly debatable refereeing decisions. I sincerely hope I'm wrong.