Robbie Williams is starting to look old. Saudi Arabia's shirts look quite cheap and nasty. The ref, who looks like he has been teleported from the 1940s, missed a foul when Russia went ahead (so too, presumably, did VAR). The linesman then missed a "plain as day" offside. Putin made a speech then shook hands with some Arab guy (possibly their king - I have the sound turned down). The Saudis don't look too good.

Still 1-0 after half an hour.

This linesman misses another offside that was so obvious that the Russian player stopped anyway.

Saudi Arabia at sixes and sevens as Russia score a second.

JonD wrote:Robbie Williams is starting to look old. Saudi Arabia's shirts look quite cheap and nasty. The ref, who looks like he has been teleported from the 1940s, missed a foul when Russia went ahead (so too, presumably, did VAR). The linesman then missed a "plain as day" offside. Putin made a speech then shook hands with some Arab guy (possibly their king - I have the sound turned down). The Saudis don't look too good.

Still 1-0 after half an hour.

No foul there muc. Saudi player fell over his own legs.

Yeah. True.

JonD wrote:Yeah. True.

Lino is awful though. A couple of really poor decisions

Mark Clattenburg is proving the consensus that referees are totally devoid of personality.

JonD wrote: Saudi Arabia at sixes and sevens as Russia score a second.

Are you saying that in a David Coleman voice, whilst pretending to speak into a box microphone ?!

Mark Clattenburg has a nice tan.

ITV’s panel spend far too much of half-time debating a penalty yes/no decision even though they all seemed happy with the ref’s call. But they went on and on about it anyway.

Second half underway.

whoareya wrote:

JonD wrote: Saudi Arabia at sixes and sevens as Russia score a second.

Are you saying that in a David Coleman voice, whilst pretending to speak into a box microphone ?!

LOL. Rumbled.

Great chance for the Saudis to get back into this match but their striker attacks the low cross like Graham Norton grabbing the shitty end of a stick.

Got to say - two poor teams and a poor game. Missus just asked if we could turn over as I didn't seem bothered, given up on this game.

Big, scary Russian substitute lumbers onto pitch and immediately heads a goal. The perceptive ITV commentator says that it looks like Russia will win.

JonD wrote:Mark Clattenburg has a nice tan.

He is head of refereeing at the Saudi FA - must be on a fortune out there and all the sheep's eyes you can eat.

Ah, yes, I recall hearing he was in the ME somewhere. Goodness knows why they need him, but I suppose they can afford it.

Cherishev hits an agricultural shot past the Saudi keeper for 4-0. Then a free-kick in the last minute makes it five.

Tim Lovejoy? Nah, time to switch off.