World Cup — Day 16

That's bollocks! Contact about 5 yards outside the box, then two players stumble for about 6 steps and fall over. I've almost had enough of ‘soccer'. Beautiful game, my arse.

Nailed on penalty for me, Phil.

Rojo was an eejit for continuing to manhandle Mpabbe in the penalty area as he did.

And for me, it's yet another 'beautiful game' at this WC - a real cracker.

How the Argies are level, I really don't know.

Well actually, I do. You cannot give players like Di Maria - as bad as he is playing - that much space centrally.

But based on the play, France should be out of sight. Their pace is murdering the Argentinian midfield and defence.

It will be interesting to see how both teams continue to play after the break and who the equaliser has impacted on most.

I thought Di Maria was having a crap game too and then he goes and does that !
The Argies are throwing in way too many slide tackles and I thing somebody is gonna see red.
Messi is playing like he did in Melbourne against Brazil last year like its a friendly.
Hopefully he wakes up for the second half.

I suppose like most of us I'm watching it on the telly but does anyone agree that "Commentator" is something of a misnomer and that "Waffler" would be more accurate and on occasion he is assisted by an expert waffler.

You can see how Besic managed to keep Messi quiet, and to think, some see him as than George Best and Maradonna rolled into one.

Really Jay? Had it not been for the contact outside the box, I don't think what happened inside would be enough to warrant a penalty.

I've got to say as an Englishman and die hard Evertonian, I've almost fallen out of love with football since moving to Australia.

Christ...as I type, some French bloke lashes one in from 18 yards. God, that was good!

What the fuck are substitutes doing on the pitch celebrating after 60mins.

Cracking goal from Dobby, even better by Pavard.

Messi looked like he didn't want to be there today. I am glad they went out now regardless of Messi because some of his team mates are not only rubbish but are animals too.
Over to Ronaldo now to bag another hatrick and rub salt into Messi's wounds.

Hope you got some of your mojo back for the beautiful Phil.

If that game didn't get yer juices running, then maybe there is no hope for you.

Another absolutely storming game.

Fully agree Jay. That was a pleasure to watch on many levels.
Mbappe is like a bloody greyhound.
Makes France a very, very dangerous team.
Wouldn't surprise me one bit if they went on to win it!

From a slow start in the group stages, the French are starting to get it together. Could England meet them in the Final, & would we want to?!

Yeah Brian. France came to the party today.

Lesser teams would have wilted and caved after dominating the game, but finding themselves 2-1 down minutes into the second half.

I dreaded that Argentina would apply all their 'dark arts' to see the game out. France were having none of it. Three goals in 11 minutes saw to that.

A cracking game of football and some goals of stunning beauty.

In truth, from following the South American qualifying games, Argentina has been an accident waiting to happen.

Sampaoli was the 3rd manager who oversaw the single qualifying campaign for Argentina. All of the managers - ALL of them - failed to come up with a TEAM strategy that wasn't solely based on 'Messi will do it for us'.

How can you have players of the calibre of Messi, Aguero, Higuain, Di Maria and Dybala and in 18 - EIGHTEEN - qualifying games only score 19 goals? And 3 of those 19 goals came in the final 'must win' game away to Ecuador, thanks to a Messi hat-trick. Only Bolivia, who finished 9th in a 10 team group, scored less - 16.

The vast bulk of their squad is now history. It will be no surprise if Messi announces his retirement (again!) from international football in the coming days. Argentina is in the wilderness at the moment.

Brazil and Brazilians very happy. I wonder why..?

A reminder that England have some way to go.

This will be a fantastic world cup to win.

Some of the goals have been right out of the top draw, the crowds have been amazing and the coverage has been first class (provided you block the commentary and punditry)

The referee who gave the penalty Harry Kane buried did us all a favour, as those wanting to wrestle in the box are now thinking twice . . If we could just cut out this fucking ridiculous rolling around the pitch we would have it made.

Looking forward to tonight

What a well-worked goal that was between Carvani and Suarez.

How can anyone who loves football not relish this WC?

Mbappe, Suarez and Cavani, Lukaku and Hazard, Kane, Falcão and James, CR7, Diego Costa, Neymar and Coutinho - the strikers on show at this world cup are simply top drawer.

Not to mention playmakers like Isko, De Bruyne, Modric.

So much more enjoyable than watching the Premier League.

This World Cup is up there with my 2 favourites, Mexico 70 and Argentina 78. I'm with Phil I thought Mbappe grabbed Rojo's arm just outside the box and started to fall

So, attack versus defence in the first decided quarter-final then!

I would edge towards France causing more problems for Uruguay than Portugal just managed, but when you've got Suarez and Carvani as an outball, you're always in the game.

I bet Carvani will be given preferential treatment in the physios' room ahead of the game to ensure he is fit!

Two amazing goals by him today.

Pissed off there are only two games a day to watch now!

Very few games have disappointed.

Cracking WC!

"If we could just cut out this fucking ridiculous rolling around the pitch we would have it made."

...and the massive screams by players when they are tackled hard, fairly or not.

'78 was a good World Cup. I also enjoyed '86, '90 and USA '94. Not just the football but the atmosphere of the coverage etc. Maybe it's more about me and my attitude to it all at the time.

The most disappointing? Japan/Korea 2002.

Two very good games today, plenty of goals and brilliant moves,the World Cup moved up a few notches today, wanted France to win, got a feeling for them, they haven't played as good as they should have with the players they have got, showed what they are capable of today.

I wanted Portugal to win tonight for the simple reason that Saurez plays for Uregeuy, silly I know, but what a game the little biting bastard had, excellent, I hope there are more games like these to come.

Best World Cup was 1970 and 1998. 1978 was the World Cup of fear and repression. The ‘86 one was played at walking pace and that cheating little gobshite won it. This one has been good and will only get better if we win it.

The worst World Cup I've seen is the 1994 one which was played in oven like conditions on rugby fields. The best thing about that farce was the Diana Ross pen.

This World Cup has been brilliant so far, and the two games today were superb. At least 4 “Oh, wow!” goals.

It makes you fully realise the dreadful fare we have been served at Goodison for far too long. That's the only footie I'm really bothered about.

France vs Uraguai will be agreat game. Uraguai have a great set up, unlike most teams, they have a system and all the players, including their superstars, play to that system and play better as a result.

Cavani and Suarez are immense, but I did not see either of them play as good for their respective clubs in the last 12 months. And Godin is a beast of a player, i'd go as far as to say the best defender at the World Cup, and a true captain.

Torreira is also an excellent midfielder who suits their system perfectly.

France have Mbappe,and many good players but still not funcioning as a team.

With the two Atletico Madrid centre-backs (a team renowned for not taking any prisoners), and two of the best forwards in the world, Uruguay certainly have to be reckoned with, but they'll need to get Cavani fit for the France game.

The Portuguese often flatter to deceive, but this time they didn't even flatter, although their performance today was probably their best of the tournament, even with Ronaldo nowhere to be seen.

Well all the fookers that have put us out in the knockout stage in recent times are out bar Brazil, ‘02

Germany ‘70, ‘90, & ‘10 Argentina ‘86, ‘98 Portugal ‘06

A Psychological boost lads 💥💥💥

Thought they were brilliant games but hard to believe that we've seen the eventual winners.

For all the excitement France can generate in spells they are weak defensively. That Argentina side has incredible talent but it's so dysfunctional... conceding three to them is a mess.

Uruguay might be a better chance. They can defend and fight. Plus they've got a couple of game changers at the other end of the pitch. Still think there must be an all round side who can dictate the game against that midfield and properly test the defence. Beating another dysfunctional team in Portugal is no great shakes. 20 passes then give it to Ronaldo - and see what he fancies. They're less of a team than Argentina.

After watching last nights game, ha anyone changed their mind on Big William Carvalho?

There was one sprint where he expelled the notion of how slow he is, sure he wasn't in the ten fastest players on the pitch, but he showed he has some pace.

Once again his passing was superb. I don't know his completion rates but it must be 90% +. More importantly for me he showcased his long passing ability. Also did you notice how the likes of Ronaldo always sought him out and then got in position knowing he's the one with the most accurate boots?

Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of flaws in his game, and his languid style will drive you crazy when we're losing, and he won't score more than once a season (howitzer when he does). He's a steady 7.5 / 10 every game, but most importantly he's the spring the Silva tactics will be built around and so he's the player the tactics can be built around.

Steve, I watched him last night and took particular interest in him, watching his movement when he wasn't in possession and I was quite impressed. Especially after the stick he's taken on here this last week or so. His passing was simple when required but also inventive and, as you say, he showed an impressive burst of speed. Looked a player.

You're never going to get the spectacular from Carvalho but he will always keep the ball moving and more often than not in a forward direction.

He is a quality player. Always available always involved. Calm on the ball and a great passer.

Steve - 27 - because you are so keen on Carvalho and we are supposedly interested in him, I have been watching him closely. I respect your judgement more than most but I still can't see what he has that excites Silva/Brands to want to pay £35m presuming that is the asking price as is rumoured.

Yes he cycles the ball without fuss, accurately and occasionally forward but he just doesn't get me out of my seat!

AND, the differences between Schneiderlin and Carvalho are: ... erm ... erm... ooh, erm... ?

Ian #31 I thought there was a chance he'll be free due to the fans attacking players/breach of contract kerfuffle, if he is on a free I'd say a definite yes.

The fall out at Sporting continues to gather pace.

The barking club President Bruno de Carvalho (absolute NO relation to the player!!!) was voted out a couple of weeks ago for his abrasive manner that provoked the en masse resignations of the players.

The manager Carvalho appointed just 5 days before he lost the presidency was himself dismissed within 9 days of signing his contract by the incoming president.

Carvalho did not take his defeat well - 9,400 members voted overwhelmingly by 71% for his dismissal. He was suspended as president by a club committee, but refused to stand down.

Carvalho who was a former leader of an ultra Sporting fan group, complained that the club wanted to become more "populist" but that he had been driven out by the "elite" that he claimed "cheated" him by an "alliance of smelly cretins."

Sporting are well rid. Unfortunately, Carvalho's legacy to the club may take longer to exorcise.

I have always been an admirer of Carvalho for the reason that he is calm in possession and keeps the team going forward. I see him described as a DM but I have always viewed him as the fulcrum of the team going forward as well as defending. He is the one that could spring defences with quick accurate long passing when we are playing counter attack and also dominate possession when we are at home and need to break defences down. I would love to see him with Gueye alongside to harry the opposition and Walcott, Siggy and Tosun being sprung forward by Carvalho

Steve@27 I've been watching him closely and am still unconvinced. He's decent in possession without often splitting defenses but he still doesn't make himself available enough for my liking. When a teammate is being pressed he doesn't burst into space to make himself available.

He is slow on the turn and seems bypassed too easily. I've not seen him make a lot of tackles so far in fact he's not in the top 70 or so players in the tournament for either tackles or interceptions.

I can see he does have qualities and to have a reliable passer in the middle is useful but I'm not sure it's enough. I'm not sure he's a notable step up on Schneiderlin. I also think his languid style will really have people out for his blood when we're not doing well.

Steve #27, no, there's no change in my views.

You keep emphasizing his passing ability, which I don't doubt. In fact, he had 260 successful passes in four WC games, which ranks him eighth in the tournament at this point. But we don't need someone who can merely pass accurately, we need a creator. Not once in any of these games has Carvalho created a scoring opportunity, let alone a goal. Nothing imaginative, nothing cutting, nothing off his foot to excite anyone in four games. Not once have I heard the words "great ball from William" or even "nice ball from William" -- everything is ordinary.

Also he is by no means always tidy with his passing -- he did have another horror turnover yesterday in a bad position that gave Uruguay a sprint the other way. It was his only one of the game -- an improvement on the 2-3 he had in every group game -- but the consistency with which he commits them is unnerving.

But most of all, Carvalho is a DM who does little on defense. Uruguay's Betancur and Torreira, hardly two of the WC's more brilliant creators, roamed freely through the middle mostly unencumbered by pressure from William. Through four games this DM had 8 tackles. Two per game. Same as the comatose Schneiderlin averaged last season. (By contrast, our own Gylfi had 11 in three games while playing #10.) One interception, one duel won (a header against the diminutive Iniesta) one blocked shot. That level of defensive effort simply won't fly in the Prem.

In my view, he's a one-dimensional player who will make us ooh and aahh with an occasional long switch against slower teams like Bournemouth and Newcastle that will give him time on the ball. But a spring for our system? Nah, don't think so.

Mike Gaynes.

I reckon your post sums Carvalho up perfectly. Not for me.

William Carvalho looked a very decent player yesterday. If Schneiderlin is sold and Carvalho, for free, takes his place that would be a real improvement. His passing was very neat, quick and varied. A couple of times with Suarez or someone threatening he dispossed them without much fuss. He isn't that intense, he doesn't run around like gueye which brings me to my main concern.

Not sure how he would combine with Gueye, but maybe it could be a case of one or the other. When we need someone who is more about pressing, Gueye, when we expect to have more time on the ball, Carvalho.

The thing that Silva needs is the player to launch his rapid spring loaded counter attacks. Who can thrust the team forwards the way he will demand? We can't do so playing 5-10 sideways passes, it needs to go forwards within 3-5 seconds of winning the ball, that is no more than a couple of passes before getting whacked forwards.

Sure Gueye, Davies, McCarthy, Baningime can all pass sideways quickly, but only Schneiderlin can hit a long accurate pass. We're talking 40-60 yards here. Often a centre-back can launch these as well, but that should only be done by decent passers of the ball. The difference between Schnedierlin and Carvalho is that the Frenchman lacks the range, he lacks the accuracy, and he most certainly lacks the consistency. I would also say he lacks the composure when pressed.

Without the player to launch these spring-loaded attacks, the tactics won't work. Silva either performs a miracle on Schneiderlin, converts Sigurdsson to a deeper player, or he signs someone. I don't see anyone in the youth team capable of hitting these 40-60 yard passes.

So all the other criticism of Carvalho is irrelevant, he only needs to be able to launch it to the wings, and gently saunter forwards ready to be in position in case we are countered in turn.

And Mike, I counted at least three great long passes against Uruguay.

Fran, the single DM Silva will use doesn't press, he holds position. Gueye cannot play as a DM because he lacks the skills:

1. He cannot hold - he lacks the discipline.

2. He lacks height to head away (balls over the top destroy the press and DM needs height).

3. He cannot pass further than 5 yards.

4. It's just not his position.

I could see us flogging him for a decent profit and getting in a more rounded midfielder. If not, we keep him and get him to play further forwards, where he can press and disrupt play more effectively than he can from deep. I would be worried about what he can offer in and around the box though.

Gueye is best as part of a double pivot. He is freer to push further forwards and seek and destroy opposition moves, pressing the man on the ball, whilst the other guy holds and is responsible for the forward passing. This would work to Gueye's strengths and Sigurdsson's and I still think, that despite what Silva said, we will line up in a 4-2-3-1.

Great, Steve. We agree that he's good for three great long passes a game and absolutely nothing else.

Where we disagree is whether that makes him of any use to Everton.

No, where we disagree is how he will be of use to Silva's Everton. Quite simply, who is going to get the ball forwards? Jagielka? Keane? Baines? Who else can even get the ball further than 20 yards?

And I expect him to hit 20+ long passes each and every game. Like he did for Silva's Sporting. Which is why Silva will want him. He is tried and tested, and very effective.

I've watched Carvalho with interest. He played slightly better yesterday but he's no improvement on schneiderlein. Neat and tidy but not creative or a goal threat. Those 3 ships turned quicker on the Mersey too.

Steve, is he tried and tested and very effective? Sporting have not been that successful in their recent history have they? And Carvalho's stats for them look ok but not much better, good pass completion but less than 1 key pass per match, 1 assist all season, less than 2 tackles per match, not great for interceptions, blocks etc

I absolutely hear what you're saying in terms of needing a player who can hit long passes but I'd hope we can find someone who can do that and perhaps contribute a bit more defensively or offensively. If he's on a free then I can see that would be good business but otherwise I'd prefer a ‘quarterback' style midfielder with a bit more heart, fire and mobility. The dream would be someone like Brozovic though he's likely out of reach.

I'm talking for Silva, Sam, in 2014-15, not his subsequent form. He's tried and tested for Silva. And he was effective at Silva's tactics, and Silva had a good season and that season was the year he consolidated his place in the national side coming into the World Cup as sub and soon establishing himself in the first team.

His transfer status is very complicated. I still don't think he will be "free". Brozovic would be a good shout, maybe Inter will sign Carvalho and let us have him?