The twitter video of the Hutchinson goal is ‘not available in my location’. As an alternative, it’s also here:
Eventually one of the slow motion replays allowed me to follow what happened.
Ah, sorry about that. I often get geo-blocked on highlight videos myself, so I should’ve thought to check.
Watching the game live, I think it took until the third replay for me to finally understand exactly what had happened. Just a ludicrously lucky bounce, although the initial attack was maybe unlucky to not go in directly instead of hitting the post. It’s the kind of goal that must be so disheartening when it goes against you.
What a crazy, crazy goal, and yeah, how dispiriting.
Did you have a sense of what El Salvador was arguing? At one point the keeper actually sets up for a goal kick, like he’s in complete denial.
It seemed more like disbelief than any kind of actual argument over what had happened. I guess it’s possible that the keeper thought the ball had not hit the post, but instead had gone out and ricocheted back from the side netting, or gone through a hole in the netting, or something like that. He definitely loses sight of the ball as it’s bouncing around.
I’m pretty sure they were arguing (or “arguing”) for a handball or that Atiba had illegally played the ball in some way, like maybe the ball was out. If you think that makes no sense and couldn’t possibly fool (or “fool”) the ref, it’s happened before in CONCACAF.
China shockingly lost to Vietnam, 3-1, and is now officially eliminated from World Cup qualification (although they were all but known to be out months ago anyway.) Never had lost to Vietnam ever before.
Japan gaining ground on the Saudi Green Falcons, Australia stumbling of late.
Canada’s going through top of the group, and they’ve earned every bit of it - they haven’t had a bad half the whole round. Best attack in the confederation at the moment.
If Mexico beats El Salvador at home and Honduras away next window, they’re also through. I think both of those are very doable.
The U.S. are in the interesting situation of perhaps de-emphasizing the Mexico match to concentrate on beating Panama at home. If they do so, the big issue will be Canada’s performance against both Panama and Costa Rica. Eking out a tie against Mexico would put them in better shape on the run-in, but would it be too much effort for a short 3-game window?
The strategy is tricky. Mexico might themselves be thinking that they have two easier matches at the end, and concentrate on those.
My instinct for the US would be to not get too cute about it, and go after the Mexico game. A win would obviously be great, but there are also scenarios where a draw with Mexico saves the US.
So used to being constantly let down by Canada, so it’s a wierd (and awesome!) feeling seeing them set a Concacaf record with six straight wins in the final round, outscoring opponents 50-6, and keeping a clean sheet in their last three games while their number 1 was relegated to Twitch:
1986 was way waaaaaaaay too long ago - great to finally see this shit set straight.
Whu-POW!!!
That was one cray sight seeing the Hondurans coming out onto the pitch in puffy down jackets against US.
Apparently at half two of their players couldn’t go on due to hypothermia.
Myself - not sure if I could play in that or the stifling, humid heat down in Central America.
The US is not in very good shape. Their 3 remaining games includes away against Costa Rica and Mexico and the US has never won away at either location. Panama at home is an absolute must win. If they lose that game there’s a pretty good shot they don’t even make the playoff match. Now, I happen to think the US will probably finish 3rd, but they’re not safe by any means.
That’s why I pointed out above that the U.S.'s fate is to a certain extent in Canada’s hands, since Panama and Costa Rica both have to host the CMNT. If Canada wants a perfect Octo to frame and hang on their wall, and the Canaleros and Ticos can’t do better than a draw in those games, it would be very hard for either of them to overhaul the U.S. in goal differential to go past them.
In a competitive match.
We have a live robot offside call!
I like the visualization that comes almost instantly with the call.
Manchester United knocked out of the FA Cup at home to Middlesbrough on penalties. United missed a lot of chances when they were 1-0 up and then Middlesbrough got a lucky break with a goal which I think should have been ruled out for handball but the rule states it has to be deliberate handball to be disallowed. It was not deliberate - it was an accidental touch of the hand but still so obvious that it changed the direction of the ball leading to a goal. The rule is stupid.
Watching Nottingham take it to Leicester City. I really enjoy these FA Cup matches when the lower-ranked side is at home. Really crazy moment though when an LC fan leapt from the stands to attack the Nottingham players during a celebration,
Um, what?
Ronaldo maybe joining PSG next year?
Him? and Messi? and Neymar?
As Mike once said, sure, everbody hurts…
Looks like Sergio Ramos might be on his way out with his recurring calf injuries.
(35, anyway.)
Neymar can’t get many more nasty-looking ankle injuries like his most recent.
With Ramos definitely ruled out playing against Real Madrid next week in CL*, Neymar’s still a question mark - probably wise to demur, but what do I know.
Heh, even Messi and Mbappe are currently considered unfit.
* Ha - gotta laugh at that - never been much of an SR fan - the most melodromatic douche, AFAIC.
In CL, PSG, at home, edges out Real Madrid 1-0.
In the 93rd minute, Mbappe dances around Vallejo and an especially embarrassed Vasquez, and then nutmegs Courtois.
Odd seeing the three-headed hydra of Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe; with injuries this season - a rare (and scary, and expensive) sight, indeed.
PSG were fantastic. The only downside is they go to Madrid with only a 1-0 lead when it should have been 4-0.
Yeah, they’ll regret that. Mbappe hasn’t been super on this season (nor has anyone else on PSG), but daaamn what a performance.