ARS 3 - 1 WHU and BHA 2 - 4 ARS

 It's been a productive couple of matches for the Gunners, picking up six points while some of our close competitors dropped two points.  (Spuds dropped five!)  West Ham offered very little resistance, getting a pen from a breakaway but otherwise getting pulled around until we popped three past our former GK Fabianski in the second half.  Brighton was more dangerous, fighting all the way to the end, scoring twice and having a goal disallowed for a ridiculous offside.  Unfortunately for them, they did not defend as well as they attacked and Arteta's men scored four very nice goals.  Nketieh got the eventual winner, poaching as he does so well.  Our wingers were fabulous, each scoring, and MOTM Odegaard got one too.  Tomiyasu and Tierney both got minutes and seem fine.  I am very happy.

Fulham 3 CP 0

 Two red cards.  A lamentable performance.  A day to forget, if one is able to forget.    

What a Game! *Argentina 3 - 3 France (4-2)

 I like both these nations, so found it hard to root against anyone.  La Albiceleste was the better team on the night and deserved the win.  Emi Martinez is quite the shithouser.

France and Argentina

 Looks like fun.  All the Cinderellas are gone, but Croatia is not much of a Cinderella any longer.   Should  be a good consolation match on Saturday.  

England lost

 Nonetheless, I thought it was the most the most entertaining match of the Cup.  Both teams played well, many serious threats, fast action, and a lot of missed opportunities, made it an interesting match from start to finish.  I was sorry England lost, but I am a Francophile, so it didn't bother me all that much.  The only regret is that English fans will now continue to mourn that their lads don't know how to win.    

Brazil Dances Out of Cup

 I love it when arrogance gets a comeuppance.  Croatia played a great game and thoroughly deserved to get to spot kicks, where they are really really good.  In fact, they were perfect again today, not even needing a fifth after Brazil missed twice.  Neymar's goal was very good, the equalizer a bit fortuitous, but football often rewards hard work and discipline, which Croatia had in spades.

Europe (plus ARG and BRA) Still Dominant

 Morocco has a chance to break the stranglehold tomorrow, but so far the Asian, CONCACAF, and African nations that made the round of 16 have all lost.  Seriously, those Japanese penalties were mostly awful.  The Croatian keeper was brilliant, but two of the PKs he saved were dreadful.  Too bad; the game itself was quite good.  I thought Croatia were the better team and although I wanted Japan to win I'm not complaining about the result.

Brazil crushed an overmatched Korean side.  I despise all the dancing, and I hope they trip up along the way.  If they do, they will not deal with it well.  Since the US is out and Italy didn't qualify, I'll be pulling for England.  I think they can take France.

NED 3 - 1 USA

 The Dutch goals were all way too easy.  One of their guys is invited to play a ball across to an unmarked runner who makes no mistake with the strike.  The Americans should have scored twice via Pulisic and Wright with only the keeper to beat, but they squandered those chances.  Our goal was a freak scoop over the keeper's head from Wright.  The Oranje looked happy to defend for the most part, and I thought they looked comfortable even when we got some decent chances.

The USMNT gave a good account of themselves in this World Cup.  They were the lone CONCACAF representative in the round of 16.  They will know they could have done better in this game, but will have to admit that the better side won.

Drama Kings

 The group stage format sets up a lot of possible outcomes, and it frequently comes down to the third and final game to decide the teams going into the knockout round.  Today was no exception, and it was South Korea who delivered the major shock, beating Portugal to pip Uruguay to the prize on total goals scored, the third tiebreaker.  I'm always happy to see Luis Suarez miserable, as his superb attacking play was for naught in defeating Thomas Partey's Ghana.  The second set of games had a lot of Arsenal interest, and Xhaka's Switzerland put a feisty Serbia to the sword 3-2 in a match that featured eleven yellow cards and a lot of fouling and shithousery.  Cameroon's win over a much-changed Brazil meant nothing in the standings.  Our Gabriels, Martinelli and Jesus, played for Brazil; Jesus got injured (knee) and Martinelli looked really good.

How About That Japan?

 Wowsers.  Japan beat Spain today, after having beaten Germany on Day One, and die Mannschaft is out of the tournament.  Earlier, Belgium was bounced after being held to a draw against a dangerous Croatia, which never looked as though it gave up on scoring despite enduring a late barrage from the Red Devils.  It was compelling viewing.