Spanish Steppes: Spain v Russia

[Patrick Thistle]

I think Cesc summed up the Russian strategy very well there

[ChrisJ]

So, well done the plucky homophobes!

Although listening to Fabregas' lack of grace in defeat and looking at Ramos' face, I have to confess to mixed feelings.

[ursus arctos]

What Jah said.

An absolutely self-inflicted defeat.

Vamos Hrvatska

[Diable Rouge]

The furthest Russia have gone in the tournament since 1982, given the second phase then effectively equalled modern-day quarter-finals.

[anton pulisov]

I hear that Spain will be resting Iniesta for the quarterfinals as well.

[nmfnp1977]

So, well done the plucky homophobes!

Although listening to Fabregas' lack of grace in defeat and looking at Ramos' face, I have to confess to mixed feelings.

Especially as Ramos was acting the twat after his penalty.

[longeared]

No wonder Manchester United want to sign Lee Grant if this is what De Gea is normally like.

[Patrick Thistle]

https://twitter.com/RobV96/status/1013422113586339840?s=19

[anton pulisov]

Some dodgy 90s movie "zoom and enhance" going on there.

[Pietro Paolo Virdis]

One of Russia, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Croatia, Colombia or England will play the final. Imagine that.

[Diable Rouge]

One of Russia, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Croatia, Colombia or England will play the final. Imagine that.

Even more bizarrely, England being the most recent WC finalists of the seven.

[Wouter D]

One of Russia, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Croatia, Colombia or England will play the final. Imagine that.

Croatia or Colombia will do just fine by me, and it's far from unlikely that it will be either of them.

[tee rex]

Didn't watch it (should I, pens apart?). At least we're spared the prospect of Pique-Shaqiri puns later.

[Pietro Paolo Virdis]

3 min on Youtube will do just fine

[Satchmo Distel]

Even more bizarrely, England being the most recent WC finalists of the seven.

They are all teams you usually expect to go out before the semis. Russia almost certainly would not even have got to the finals if they hadn't been hosting it.

Contrast Spain with how easily Uruguay got through Russia the other day.

[Satchmo Distel]

Imagine a Switz v Russia semi. Or England v Denmark.

From a neutral POV it needs to be Croatia v Colombia, but this tournament feels random now and prediction starts to feel futile.

[Satchmo Distel]

Polls are not always reliable but this was widely reported

http://www.newsweek.com/russians-gay...le-poll-778075

But football in the UK has its homophobia issues.

[ChrisJ]

Who do you mean by homophobes? A specific player, the whole team or Russians in general?

Tongue-in-cheek remark. I guess if everyone English is a braying, beered-up racist, and footballing success will only embed this culture for all time, etc, etc.

Pay me no mind.

[jwdd27]

I think Stockholm syndrome has set in for me with Ramos. I'm starting to actually like how much of a bastard he is. And I like his haircut. So I'm pleased Spain are out. I'll get counselling.

[jason voorhees]

Russia played MUCH different against Uruguay. This wasn't parking the bus as much as filling the bus with cement.

I've literally never seen Diego Costa so ineffectual. They were gassed.

But I certainly hope the Hrvatskas can do it, because 3 more games of this will be way too painful. At least Greece could string passes and keep possession in the other team's end for long stretches.

[Flynnie]

What Jah said.

An absolutely self-inflicted defeat.

Vamos Hrvatska

When Spain went out, my first thought was that Barry Davies quote about the Italians: they will not learn.

[Sash]

Latest pod:
https://audioboom.com/posts/6916852-a-godless-wasteland
I give up on predictions. Nothing makes any sense in that silly country.

[G-Man]

I think Stockholm syndrome has set in for me with Ramos. I'm starting to actually like how much of a bastard he is. And I like his haircut.

That haircut is an OCD nightmare!

[Ray de Galles]

So, on reflection, how much, (if at all) do we think did the disruption of Lopetegui’s sacking contributed to Spain’s disappointing performance this tournament?

[ursus arctos]

Certainly not the only factor, but a definite factor.

Miguel Delaney had a good piece on this in the Indy