Sripad

The race for the Golden Boot has become a chase worthy of the grandest stage. Kylian Mbappé has thrown down the gauntlet, matching Lionel Messi stride for stride at the summit, while Erling Haaland prowls just a goal behind like a predator he is. The World Cup has always loved a subplot. This one features a 39-year-old being chased by two of the finest forwards on the planet.

Not even a booking for this. It looked bad watching live, forgot the slow-mo replay and screenshots.

That Olise 'tackle' on Rodri would have sparked debates if it was another player/nation.

ESTEVAO DID WHAT?! This is some miraculous recovery from his hamstring injury.

@sraghu82 What?

@falsewinger Cubasi yamal olmo torres barcelona Almada Molina nico Alvarez atm Rice saka madueke eze arsenal Dembele doue barcola psg Bayern Kane eng Olise upamacano france So not Bayern

It's the international football version of Bayern Munich vs PSG tonight. And then Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid tomorrow.

@KachraPress I want leaning more towards the entertainment than goals

Funny cause I expect 2-3 goals max in tonight's game..but 5+ goals is possible in Eng v Argentina.

@kashish_cfc Goals maybe be fewer, but entertainment will be the same.

@falsewinger But I’m not expecting too many goals to be scored in the France Spain game.

@Teems_GH @journalism_rp Ask yourself one thing - why did Jackson go from "competition is normal at Chelsea" during vacation to "I need to get out" soon after rejoining pre-season training?

@journalism_rp @falsewinger The guy left us high and dry after Delap’s injury last season and has an awful attitude. I thought we wanted to change the culture at the club?

Personally I think re-integrating a player with 34 G/A in 65 league appearances is preferable to hedging bets. People complained last year about not having a reliable back-up option to João Pedro to allow him rest. Nicolas Jackson is exactly that. Let Xabi Alonso review him.

"Who Said That?" - Former Chelsea head coach. One of the coldest replies ever in a press conference.

@ChennaiIPL Thank you Fleming. Right decision, maybe a season (or two) too late.

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT The Super Kings and Head Coach Stephen Fleming have mutually decided to part ways. Together, we shared one of the most successful and enduring partnerships in IPL history. The legacy you've built will continue to inspire us. With immense respect and gratitude, Thank you, Stephen. 💛 More details: 🔗 chennaisuperkings.com/news/newsdetai…

@David_Ornstein @TheAthleticFC What is going on at Newcastle United?! Is there something terrible that's not being reported?

🚨 EXCL: Aston Villa in process of finalising move to sign Johan Manzambi from Freiburg. Newcastle United had agreement with #SCF but #NUFC lacked player approval. 20yo Swiss midfielder wants #AVFC & deal now accelerating towards conclusion @TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/74360…

@WeAreMessi Both were accidental, but Balogun got a red card for a similar incident.

Don’t you think this was deliberate? It definitely wasn’t the momentum

@P0LL0S4 Tuchel, Kane and Bellingham make them heavyweights plus they know how to grind results now.

@falsewinger What about England? 😅

The best FIFA World Cup semifinal lineup since I started watching. No underdog story, just heavyweights.

@kaushalMalaviy2 Not for me. Didn't rate that Brazil side apart from Neymar, Marcelo and Thiago Silva, iirc. Rest were all either at the end of their career or newbies. I can recall the whole squad of Germany, Netherlands and Argentina, but that Brazil side was meh. Can't recall more than 15.

@falsewinger 2014- Ger, Brazil, Argentina, Netherlands

@alex_crook It's the exact same thing that happened earlier in the World Cup, but just that it wasn't a second yellow. 🤦‍♂️

@RiceRiceArsenal @trickyreds14 YES! Ream got booked and then referee changed it to Almiron after VAR told him. He didn't even go to the monitor iirc.

@falsewinger @trickyreds14 Almiron Paraguay v usa

Didn't know VAR could do that Argentina not beating the rigged allegations at all I'm seeing Mistaken Identity for the first time in my life When was VAR used to give the second yellow??

@falsewinger did Var check when messi stamped on the player? Atleast be open while you are supporting a fraud !

Only Embolo to blame there for two reasons: 1) Diving for no reason when he is already on a yellow 2) Staying down when nothing happened. If he had got up and taken the freekick, VAR would have no chance to go back.