International Magpie Roundup: Dec. 10

The World Cup arrived with six Magpies playing in the group stages: Kieran Trippier, Nick Pope, and Callum Wilson for England, Garang Kuol is with Australia, Fabian Schar is part of the Swiss team, and Bruno plays for Brazil.

Of course, these being Newcastle players, all of them made it to the Round of 16 alive and well. After that first knockout round, four of them still remained in contention for the Jules Rimet having reached the quarter-final games. Ah, feels good rooting for the Toon...

Here’s a recap of all that went on Friday, Dec. 9, with more updates to come in the following days as games keep getting played with the World Cup into the knockout stages.

Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images

Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson & Nick Pope (England)

Match: ENG vs France (World Cup)

Oh, la, la, who would have thought?

If the Mighty Three Lions wanted to win a World Cup quater-final game by kicking penalties, they could have just try to make it all the way to the shootout. It couldn’t be for the lads, who fell at the hands of France.

Harry Kane bagged one goal scoring from the spot while sending a second attempt to the moon and beyond. This bloke...

Olivier Giroud, who must and will never run out of fuel, scored the game-deciding goal after Aurelien Tchouameni had put France in front in the first period taking advantage of Jordan “Old Man’s Reflexes“ Pickford.

Can’t say Kyle Walker was bad at stopping a certain Kylian Mbappe, so Kieran Trippier was better sitting. Can’t say Callum Wilson or Nick Pope wouldn’t have helped the English side, though, considering that goals were needed to be scored and not allowed.

Gareth Southgate added wood to the fire by actually playing Costco Neymar of all men in garbage time.

Next World Cup taking place in just four years. It must be coming home next time, isn’t it?