World Cup: Group F: Japan vs. Sweden, Netherlands vs. Tunisia, 6/25/2026

[Eye of Ra]

It´s crazy Sweden left both Roony and Williot at home.

And Hugo Larsson.

 

[Summer Rose]

Good road period.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

The team, sure. The fans deserve far, far better..

Oh no doubt. I f***ing love Scotland.

 

[Eye of Ra]

. I remember back when people claimed countries like Sweden don’t dive.

Thats a Zlatan Qoute.

 

[luiginb]

And Hugo Larsson.

So a strict "no exciting players" policy. No wonder the play is so dross today.

 

[NorCalhockey]

lol it’s an attention whore ref in the Japan game. Genuinely didn’t think he’d get another game after the Paraguay game.

I find it funny that the commentators are agog at how bad the ref (Ivan Barton) is. Welcome to CONCACAF refereeing!

 

[Live in the Now]

I find it funny that the commentators are agog at how bad the ref (Ivan Barton) is. Welcome to CONCACAF refereeing!

I watched an El Salvador league game on GolTV like 20 years ago or something. They don't card for anything and they don't like to call anything, it's reflected in this game and the players refuse to adjust to it.

I think there could be some value at international level to hire an officiating specialist on the coaching staff.

 

[Summer Rose]

I watched an El Salvador league game on GolTV like 20 years ago or something. They don't card for anything and they don't like to call anything, it's reflected in this game and the players refuse to adjust to it.

I think there could be some value at international level to hire an officiating specialist on the coaching staff.

I also recall watching the Copa Libertadores final a while ago (I think it was the second of a two-legged final, but don't quote me on that). The opposing team was a team from Mexico; don't quote me on how that one works. It was kind of a similar thing if I recall.

 

[Live in the Now]

Lmao he just let the Sweden player get fouled hard and does nothing

 

[gary69]

Italy was always the diving and cunning country for me.

Filippo Inzaghi He fell over if somebody came closer than 5 metres from him.

 

[Brookbank]

Tunesia scores on a corner. They ran the ball across the field and got a chance. Then the corner

 

[Live in the Now]

Amazing save even though offside. Keeper had no idea.

 

[Summer Rose]

What a save! ... although it wouldn't have mattered anyway.

 

[Bounces R Way]

UNAPPROVED HYDRATION BREAK

 

[Summer Rose]

Amazing save even though offside. Keeper had no idea.

There are some saves that are everything about reflexes and nothing about technique.

... I stole that line from NHL 2000. Another one that's fun from that game is "... and he's showing him that denial is more than just a river in Egypt!" I steal that one all the time too.

 

[gary69]

It used to be thought here that only Latin adjacent countries had divers. It was pretty ridiculous.

Also ridiculous to me is the way it feels like Sweden are completely detached and unpassionate about winning this game. You contrast it with Ecuador and it’s completely bizarre and strange.

There was a time in England back in the 1980s and in the 1990s (pre-Bosman) when supporters really dispised diving, though. Common chant was "she fell over" (consider the time before judging that on modern terms).

 

[Summer Rose]

NIHON!!!

 

[Live in the Now]

Legitimately incredible how much progress Japan has made.

 

[gary69]

And Maeda puts Japan ahead. Sweden sweating now not to concede more.

 

[koyvoo]

There’s the opener for japan .

 

[Tuggy]

Very pretty goal Japan. Well worked

 

[Eye of Ra]

Filippo Inzaghi He fell over if somebody came closer than 5 metres from him.

Wasn't his brother Simone a big diver aswell?

 

[Eye of Ra]

Legitimately incredible how much progress Japan has made.

They where pretty good already back in 2002

 

[koyvoo]

Italy would kill for a player like Inzaghi right now

 

[RobHood]

Nice breakthrough. Sweden will have to come out. Let's see what Gyokeres, Isak, and Elanga can do. Or will they try to protect their -1 goal differential and hope for the best?