R16 (Saturday) - GER-NIG & NOR-AUS

[shackleford]

Here it is, a thread for the first two knockout matches. Looks like a fine day in Grenoble.

[Diable Rouge]

Too easy from the corner.

[Cal Alamein]

Or not...

phew! Thank you VAR

[Wouter D]

That did not require a VAR check.

[Diable Rouge]

Correct VAR decision - certainly didn't appear that 9 was interfering with the goalkeeper.

[Wouter D]

Fuck me, that looks painful.

[Wouter D]

If that ends up a red card and penalty, I'm on board with that.

[shackleford]

Ouch!

[Diable Rouge]

Pelion on top of Ossa for the Nigerians ...

[Wouter D]

Quality free kick there from the Nigerian goalkeeper.

[Janik]

Someone should keep a stopwatch on the time lost to VAR reviews in each game. We have had, what, four so far this match? It's not even half-time!

[Wouter D]

Nigeria make a statement of intent at the start of the second half. This could still get interesting.

[Jah Womble]

Great run from Ajibade - then caught in two minds with the finish/centre. The game could've done with a Nigeria goal there.

[Jah Womble]

Schüller nails an easy third to end the contest.

Nigeria's fans can console themselves by hopping channels to watch the men's team in simultaneous action at the AFCoN.

[shackleford]

The second game could be a more even match-up. Come away the ... er.... red/blue fade?

[delicatemoth]

Promisingly brisk start to NOR-AUS.

[shackleford]

Are these the two worst first choice kits in the tournament? Graham / Hansen (10) is the brightest player for Norway so far, as expected.

[shackleford]

For et mål! En-nul til Norge.

[San Bernardhinault]

Palenty about to be overturned by VAR

[Belhaven]

VAR is rubbish.

[San Bernardhinault]

When we tell the youngsters that we remember a game which didn't have 5 minute breaks where all the atmosphere was sucked out of the stadium, and there was rhythm and flow to the match that wasn't killed by never ending replays of marginal incidents while the players stood around, they won't believe us.

[delicatemoth]

They will, because VAR will get chucked in the bin if they can't speed it up. I don't remember it being this bad in the FA Cup.

Australia's defence is also rubbish.

[Diable Rouge]

Kerr clearly offside when "equalising".

[Kevin S]

Var-related late flag strikes again.

[delicatemoth]

Both teams are shit. So many unforced errors.