SPAIN WIN THE WORLD CUP

I stayed up to watch the Argentina v Switzerland game and was disappointed overall. However, Argentina ‘did their jobs’ and ground out a result

The sending off (of Embolo) was key, and he’ll need to explain himself to he manager, team-mates, and country

I think England can win the semi-final, but I’m not sure they will, as they still appear a tad ‘open’ at the back too often, and the smart thinking of Lionel Messi could be the key to the game

I’d still like England to win it (the game) though!

I didnt see the second England goal but did it hit the spider cam ?

I didnt see the second England goal but did it hit the spider cam ?

It did look to me that the way the ball was travelling changed. But apparently the technology showed there was contact with the spider cam and the ball.

I stayed up to watch the Argentina v Switzerland game and was disappointed overall. However, Argentina ‘did their jobs’ and ground out a result

The sending off (of Embolo) was key, and he’ll need to explain himself to he manager, team-mates, and country

I think England can win the semi-final, but I’m not sure they will, as they still appear a tad ‘open’ at the back too often, and the smart thinking of Lionel Messi could be the key to the game

I’d still like England to win it (the game) though!

I personally think England will beat Argentina, but lose to France in the final.

Messi is obviously unbelievable going forward but he can't help them defensively because of his age. Against the players that England have got, that could be a big issue. Whereas England's top attacking players like Kane and Bellingham do a lot of defensive work too.

But they are two blockbuster semi finals and whoever gets there, it should be a great final. Even the third placed play-off match could be good this year because of the quality of these four teams.

I stayed up to watch the Argentina v Switzerland game and was disappointed overall. However, Argentina ‘did their jobs’ and ground out a result

The sending off (of Embolo) was key, and he’ll need to explain himself to he manager, team-mates, and country

I think England can win the semi-final, but I’m not sure they will, as they still appear a tad ‘open’ at the back too often, and the smart thinking of Lionel Messi could be the key to the game

I’d still like England to win it (the game) though!

I personally think England will beat Argentina, but lose to France in the final.

Messi is obviously unbelievable going forward but he can't help them defensively because of his age. Against the players that England have got, that could be a big issue. Whereas England's top attacking players like Kane and Bellingham do a lot of defensive work too.

But they are two blockbuster semi finals and whoever gets there, it should be a great final. Even the third placed play-off match could be good this year because of the quality of these four teams.

England and Argentina are very well matched. As for quality I don't really see it France look the real deal the other 3 look way below that level

I didnt see the second England goal but did it hit the spider cam ?

It was the equalizer just before half time and it hit a cable that the camera is attached to rather than the actual camera. Should have been picked up by the VAR but they missed it & even though FIFA were saying that it didn't the pictures shown on US tv showed that it did actually hit a cable used for the camera & changed direction. Should have been a drop ball just like when it hits the ref. I have no idea how they can say the ball can feel a hair touching it for an offside decision but not a cable up in the air.

They may not show that part on British tv as it went England's way but like I said it's been shown over here both at half time & later after the game in more detail when FIFA were taking the "deny it happened" approach.

I didnt see the second England goal but did it hit the spider cam ?

It was the equalizer just before half time and it hit a cable that the camera is attached to rather than the actual camera. Should have been picked up by the VAR but they missed it & even though FIFA were saying that it didn't the pictures shown on US tv showed that it did actually hit a cable used for the camera & changed direction. Should have been a drop ball just like when it hits the ref. I have no idea how they can say the ball can feel a hair touching it for an offside decision but not a cable up in the air.

They may not show that part on British tv as it went England's way but like I said it's been shown over here both at half time & later after the game in more detail when FIFA were taking the "deny it happened" approach.

Under the Laws of the Game, the referee can stop play if an outside agent or an external object interferes with play.

Examples include:

* A second ball, another object, or an animal entering the field.
* A spectator or unauthorized person interfering with play.
* Any foreign object that materially affects the movement of the ball or the players.

If the ball simply strikes an object that is part of the field (such as a goalpost, corner flag, or the referee), play normally continues if the ball remains in play.

If, however, the ball were to hit an alien object (in the sense of an unexpected external object that has entered the field), the referee would usually:

1. Stop play immediately if the object interferes with play.
2. Remove the object if possible.
3. Restart with a dropped ball at the position where the ball was when play was stopped (subject to the normal dropped-ball provisions).

I didnt see the second England goal but did it hit the spider cam ?

It was the equalizer just before half time and it hit a cable that the camera is attached to rather than the actual camera. Should have been picked up by the VAR but they missed it & even though FIFA were saying that it didn't the pictures shown on US tv showed that it did actually hit a cable used for the camera & changed direction. Should have been a drop ball just like when it hits the ref. I have no idea how they can say the ball can feel a hair touching it for an offside decision but not a cable up in the air.

They may not show that part on British tv as it went England's way but like I said it's been shown over here both at half time & later after the game in more detail when FIFA were taking the "deny it happened" approach.

This is exactly right WiCA. I watched the match on Fox Sport (because I cannot stand the bias of the English coverage) and whilst they didn't pick it straight up, they showed it clearly hitting the cable during the half time break.

I didnt see the second England goal but did it hit the spider cam ?

It was the equalizer just before half time and it hit a cable that the camera is attached to rather than the actual camera. Should have been picked up by the VAR but they missed it & even though FIFA were saying that it didn't the pictures shown on US tv showed that it did actually hit a cable used for the camera & changed direction. Should have been a drop ball just like when it hits the ref. I have no idea how they can say the ball can feel a hair touching it for an offside decision but not a cable up in the air.

They may not show that part on British tv as it went England's way but like I said it's been shown over here both at half time & later after the game in more detail when FIFA were taking the "deny it happened" approach.

This is exactly right WiCA. I watched the match on Fox Sport (because I cannot stand the bias of the English coverage) and whilst they didn't pick it straight up, they showed it clearly hitting the cable during the half time break.

Watched video of it earlier clearly it hot wire as it rebounded back and down as if hit force field! Not sure var had camera angle as it was 40/50ft up not sure be looking up there with bar camera..... as for chip in ball conveniently it didn't pick up on snickometer or it wasn't programmed for hitting wires... but anyway you cut it the ball hit the wire its there for all to see even infantino ... but i don't blame officials I'm guessing didn't have camera angles to make call that as happened before. ...

ITV were saying the trajectory of the ball didn't change.

It definitely did, and I say that as someone who wanted England to win.

ITV were saying the trajectory of the ball didn't change.

It definitely did, and I say that as someone who wanted England to win.

Ned it was shown on BBC 3D coverage which used fifa technology and theres a definitive movement of ball ? Ref said that because their technology didn't show anything they couldn't do anything! But does beg question how far did they look to see of any happened?

ITV were saying the trajectory of the ball didn't change.

It definitely did, and I say that as someone who wanted England to win.

Ned it was shown on BBC 3D coverage which used fifa technology and theres a definitive movement of ball ? Ref said that because their technology didn't show anything they couldn't do anything! But does beg question how far did they look to see if anything happened?

ITV were saying the trajectory of the ball didn't change.

It definitely did, and I say that as someone who wanted England to win.

Ned it was shown on BBC 3D coverage which used fifa technology and theres a definitive movement of ball ? Ref said that because their technology didn't show anything they couldn't do anything! But does beg question how far did they look to see of any happened?

The "VAR check" sign didn't come up on screen like it normally does so that suggests they didn't look at it long.

It's a bit of a bizarre incident but surely from now on they will have cameras that can see the spider cam and wire.

England's biggest test up next Weds v Argentina - 20:00 Kick-Off ...

First semi final tonight as France play Spain at 8pm.

France are looking to be in the final for the third World Cup in a row, while Spain are hoping to be in their first final since they won it in 2010.

Spain 1-0 up with a penalty.

Spain 1-0 up with a penalty.

Spain were my pick for the whole thing before it started so here's hoping. They're very difficult to score against having only let in 1 goal all tournament so far.

Spain 1-0 up with a penalty.

Spain were my pick for the whole thing before it started so here's hoping. They're very difficult to score against having only let in 1 goal all tournament so far.

I said France from the start and nothing has changed my mind as the tournament has gone on.

But they've struggled to make an impact in this game so far. Spain taking an early lead is a bit of a nightmare for them with the good defensive record that you mentioned Spain have.

Referee gave a free kick to France, no yellow card for the Spain player. Then for some reason VAR tells the referee to award the free kick the other way. Only supposed to do that if a yellow card is involved (mistaken identity).

Talk about re-refereeing the game.

2-0 Spain, Porro.

Lamal scores a nice individual goal but it's ruled out for offside. France seem to be all over the place since the second Spain goal.

Lamal scores a nice individual goal but it's ruled out for offside. France seem to be all over the place since the second Spain goal.

France have been poor all game really, nowhere near the level they've been at for the rest of the tournament.

FT: France 0-2 Spain

Only one team ever looked like winning that.

Spain go into the World Cup final on Sunday at 8pm, where they will play England or Argentina.

France will play the loser of that match in the third placed play-off game on Saturday at 10pm.

France never even looked like scoring the whole game.

To my delight, as I tipped Spain to win the cup, it was one of the most one-sided semi-finals you will ever see.

Spain's passing, movement and supreme footballing skills put them head and shoulders above France. I said to a mate today that France have been very impressive so far but let's see how they cope without the ball. Not very well as it turned out.

FIFA - Got the Top 4 Rank correct into the semi-finals -

To my delight, as I tipped Spain to win the cup, it was one of the most one-sided semi-finals you will ever see.

Spain's passing, movement and supreme footballing skills put them head and shoulders above France. I said to a mate today that France have been very impressive so far but let's see how they cope without the ball. Not very well as it turned out.

Spain have been, by far, the most impressive side in this World Cup.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you'll know that the second semi-finals is at 8pm tonight.

People over here, the news etc., are acting all surprised that Spain beat France. They seem to have forgotten who the current European Champions are that they beat France on their way to the final and beat England in the final. It was the main reason they were my pick for this WC, I just couldn't see anyone beating them.

VAMOS ARGENTINA !!!!!