World Cup group games. Rd 1 match threads

[Michael Morris]

Mexico City
ITV

Match Officials

Referee: Wilton Sampaio (Brazil)
Assistant Referee 1: Bruno Pires (Brazil)
Assistant Referee 2: Bruno Boschilia (Brazil)
Fourth Official: Juan Gabriel Benitez (Costa Rica)
VAR: Nicolas Gallo (Colombia)

[Michael Morris]

Zapopan, Mexico
ITV

Match Officials

Referee: Amin Mohamed (Egypt)
Assistant Referee 1: Mahmoud Abouelregal (Egypt)
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmed Hossam Taha (Egypt)
Fourth Official: Juan Calderon (Costa Rica)
VAR: Mahmoud Ashour (Egypt)

[Michael Morris]

Toronto
BBC

Match Officials

Referee: Facundo Tello (Argentina)
Assistant Referee 1: Juan Pablo Belatti (Argentina)
Assistant Referee 2: Gabriel Chade (Argentina)
Fourth Official: Khalid Altrais (Saudi Arabia)
VAR: Hernan Mastrangelo (Argentina)

[Michael Morris]

Inglewood
BBC

Match Officials

Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
Assistant Referee 1: Hessel Steegstra (Netherlands)
Assistant Referee 2: Jan de Vries (Netherlands)
Fourth Official: Yusuke Araki (Japan)
VAR: Carlos del Cerro Grande (Spain)

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Best stock up on Staropramen and kimchi.

For my part, I actually like partaking of countries' comestibles and beverages when I invite friends around to watch international games in my beach bar (a.k.a. a naffly-decorated, kitsch-embellished garden shed).
My collection of world flags also gets an airing in the garden.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Burrito and braai time!

[dandywarhol]

I can't wait.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

It's surprising that the US didn't insist on the opening game and the silly showbiz that goes along with it. Lots of Mexican seems to be on the menu though.

[az city]

Wow, Joe Biden is a half decent singer.

[City123]

Fast start from Mexico, good save from the South African keeper

Looks like Raul Jimenez will be back in the Championship next season, that'll be real test for Lawlor & Fish

[the other bob wilson]

Oh dear, playing out from the back again.

[Taffy Blue in Berkshire]

I really struggle watching a game where I have no interest whatsoever. back ground tv and doing puzzles on my ipad and drinking ipa.

[LA Bluebird]

Two really mediocre sides. Or one mediocre and one crap.

[Trigger]

Games gone.

[PontBlue]

Harsh red card

[B. Oddie]

Has anybody else picked up on the lead commentator being a bit of a dick towards Ally McCoist?

[Trigger]

South africa with 11 were bloody hopeless. Three passes and then lump it down the line to no one.

Looking through the nations they probably won't be the worst either.

[KingOfSiamIAm]

Second red card was it for me. Telly was turned off straight away and I wonÂ’t be tuning in again for this sanitised VAR crap.

[Taffy Blue in Berkshire]

South africa with 11 were bloody hopeless. Three passes and then lump it down the line to no one.

Looking through the nations they probably won't be the worst either.

a joke or rather not a joke that they're there and Wales aren't.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

a joke or rather not a joke that they're there and Wales aren't.

Wales didn't exactly perform at the last World Cup.

[NYCBlue]

Did you have adverts during the water breaks. We did. Of course.

[Canton Kev]

Less confident about my “Mexico will make the Ro16/QF prediction”

They looked average against a shockingly bad South Africa. I reckon Wales could’ve beaten both those teams.

[City123]

Did you have adverts during the water breaks. We did. Of course.

ITV not quite figured out how to do that yet

I think they're doing it in the 6 Nations though so only a matter of time

[blue matt]

Has anybody else picked up on the lead commentator being a bit of a dick towards Ally McCoist?

I feel Ally might be a awkward character at times

Did you have adverts during the water breaks. We did. Of course.

nope, it was on ITV aswell, the drinks break thing seems awfully fortunate for the US market

the 3rd Red looked close, my 1st thoughts were thats a yellow, never a DOSGO as it was a little wide , then you think, last defender, next touch heading to goal and a shot, yea it could be a DOGSO, argument with youngest daughter ( who is also a ref ) now I am on my last warning of watching WC with family, you can go and watch it in your mancave its the 1st game, im doomed

[blue matt]

while the game doesnt sound that appealing, the 3am KO might just swing it for some