Poems tagged ‘World Cup’
World Cup day 20
Les Bleus reach the semis
Uruguay 0-2 France
Not since 2006
Have France made the last four
Oscar Tabarez’s men
Were today shown the door
We contrast the fates of the keepers
After Raphael Varane’s header
Sheer brilliance from Lloris
A howler from Muslera
Edinson Cavani a huge miss
Failing to make the bench
Griezmann let fly, Muslera flapped
It’s a semi for the French
06 07 18
number7
© emdad rahman
Brilliant Belgium beat Brazil
Belgium 2-1 Brazil
Never in history
Where the global teams gather
Has a World Cup winning team
Been led by a foreign gaffer
Fernandinho and De Bruyne
Diving Neymar in an aerodrome
Augusto with a consolation
Sorry Brazil go home
There’s still much to do
Kompany reigns the celebration
It’s now time to rise
For this golden generation
06 07 18
number7
© emdad rahman
Will We Still Be Part Of It All ?
there’s a question that’s burning inside me
and it’s burning inside you I’m sure
we’ve been hoping and longing for years now
and we’ve felt it a few times before
now the pundits are rating our chances
and some say the’re big… some say small
but when I’m behind my old sofa
will we still be part of it all?
but it’s starting to get pretty close now
and it won’t be too long til it’s here
we might as well say throw our concepts away
for in time it will all become clear
but lately I’m thinking how fragile we are
we despair and prepare for a fall
but you and I know that however it goes
we’re still glad to be part of it all
yeah it’s one of those times when you start to believe
and you feel like we just might get through
but it’s one of those times when you scream out loud
about what in the world can we do
cause whatever we do in the quarters
its a chance for the boys to stand tall
there’s a dream in each eye…will we laugh will we cry
will we still be a part of it all?
and I still don’t subscribe to the madness
the money and greed in the game
and Blatter has gone but the smell lingers on
and it will do again and again
but i’ve never been scared to stand up to their lies
though sometimes it’s like a brick wall
so i’m writing this poem wherever it’s going
and I’m glad to be part of it all
they can ruin our game with their power
they can drive all the true fans away
they can make it revolve around branding
exploiting the parents who pay
for their children to advertise products
for prices that shock and apall
it drives us all mad and it make us so sad
at the things that they do to football
but just when you feel they’ve destroyed this old game
a penalty save makes us sing
and something reminds you the power of faith
is a really incredible thing
and yes I’m instilled with emotion
and I’ve watched ev’ry time as we fall
but I was eighteen when we realised our dream
and it’s something I still can recall
and in between parties in Chelsea
or hanging out on the Kings Road
I was with there with a black and white tele
and I felt like my heart would explode
when football came home for the first time
and the sixty six boys stood up tall
when the streets came alive in that hot Summer vibe
how I loved being part of it all
World Cup day 19
Forsberg sends Switzerland home
Sweden 1-0 Switzerland
Some thought the talisman
Retired in the autumn
Sweden are a team now
No Zlatan, no problem
Forsberg’s shot deflected
Helvetia chuck the towel
Swiss Lang is soon sent off
For a very late foul
Magical run runs
As the Swedes beat the Swiss
For the first time since 1994
It’s World Cup Quarters bliss
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Penalteam England are in the last eight
Colombia (3) 1-1 (4) England
When it comes to a spot kick
It’s that man Harry Kane
With seconds left on the clock
Yerry Mina inflicts the pain
We go to extra time
90 minutes and add ons are up
Sweat in gallons and nails are bit
This is the World Cup
Hendo and Bacca fail to net
Pickford, Dier, destiny on a date
We have news for you
England are in the last eight
03 07 18
number7
© emdad rahman
World Cup day 18
Brazil storm into Quarters
Brazil 2-0 Mexico
Brazil cruise to the Quarters
Samba boys are looking whole
The world’s most expensive baller
He scores and sets up a goal
One nil is not quite enough
They’re stubborn are Mexico
Neymar turns playmaker
Teeing up Bobby Firmino
El Tri are out of the cup
Played out of the ground
Seven times in a row
They’re out in the second round
02 07 18
number7
© emdad rahman
Red Devils comeback breaks Japan hearts
Belgium 3-2 Japan
Nihon were in dreamland
What s finish from Haraguchi
More brilliance to follow
He’sutdone by Takashi Inui
Martinez looked to the heavens
Fellaini and Chadli roll the dice
Vertonghen’s looping header
Fellaini never does nice
There’s 32 seconds remaining
Red charge pegs the Samurai Blue
Chadli strikes the Japanese heart
Comeback complete 3-2
02 07 18
number7
© emdad rahman
World Cup day 17
Hosts pull off shock to reach last eight
Spain (3) 1-1 (4)
Sack your manager
On the eve of the cup
Bring in a legend
Hope it all adds up
Wrestling Ignashevich into his own net
Ramos tried hard to claim as his
In later years this comical moment
Will feature on a sports quiz
Dzyuba puts away the penalty
Mother Russia’s children rejoice
Extra time and penalties
166 million Russians raise their voice
Now it’s down to the keepers
De Gea feels the pain
Akinfeev and his left leg
Koke and Aspas the villains for Spain
01 07 18
number7
© emdad rahman
Penalty shoot sees Croatia home
Croatia (3) 1-1 (2) Denmark
It wasn’t even a minute
Croatia’s defence looked tipsy
Jorgensen is alert
Before the clock struck sixty
You score, we level
That’s only fair
Croatia go back upfield
Mandzukic makes it square
Schmeichel pulled off three saves
With him the Danes are rich
Alas not this shootout
Settled by Ivan Rakitic
01 07 18
number7
© emdad rahman
France Uruguay+Farewell Messi Ronaldo -Day 16
rivalries aside
for Ronaldo and Messi
time to say farewell
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
France 4-3 Argentina
in this Russian heat
two proud nations lock their horns
France emerge and stay
this new prodigy
Mbape with youthful touch
tears Argie apart
fluent style and pace
dancing on our global stage
Allez on Les Bleus
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Uruguay 2-1 Portugal
like an eagle swoops
Cavani the pouncer here
with such stunning goals
Ronaldo forlorn
Portugal again fall short
Uruguay stand tall
chances come and go
Sky Blues here remind us all
grab them while you can
World Cup day 16
Boy wonder Mbappe sends Argentina home
France 4-3 Argentina
With the magician it’s so simple
You look up, locate his place
Don’t go on a mazy dribble
You play it to Messi in space
Griezmann with a penalty
Rojo with a clumsy foul
Angel lashes home a stunner
Behold Maradona’s howl
Messi shoots on goal
Deflection by Mercado
There’s unrest in Les Bleus ranks
What’s Didier Deschamps’ throw?
With the focus on Messi
Pavard’s missile allez, allez!
Mbappe the first teen to score
In a World Cup since Pele
Aguero with a late consolation
El Jefe Mascherano retires snappy
Mbappe the boy wonder
Will live long in memory
La Celeste concede but go through
Uruguay 2-1 Portugal
Uruguay hadn’t been breached
For six full games in a row
Not that huge a surprise
Their stoppers are from Atletico
One nil to La Celeste
Smacking off Cavani’s face
Pepe is free to head home
Edinson curls a beauty with pace
El Matador retires hurt
Quaresma joins the front crew
Godin and Gimenez close shop
Oscar Tabarez’s men go through
30 06 18
number7
© emdad rahman
The Russian Constellation
The curtain rose up in Russia
In a number of different ways,
And the actors from many countries
Lined up on the world-wide stage.
One month to perform
Watched from near and afar,
A constellation of footballers
All set to star.
One by one they start falling,
Shooting stars to the ground,
And at the end of the month
There’ll be just two left around.
Only one will be shining
When the curtain comes down,
And that’s the country that wins
And leaves wearing the crown.
Ianthe 30 June 2018
World Cup day 15
Day 15
Fair Play sends Senegal home
Senegal 0-1 Colombia
The second most populous nation
In South America
They came from close and far
Together in a World Cup bazaar
When Yerry Mina rises
It sends alarm bells ringing
When the towering stopper rises
The Tricolour are singing
Poland’s surprise win
Makes Los Cafeteros’ day
The Lions Of Teranga terminated
Heartbreak with the Fair Play
Walking football Japan proceed
Japan 0-1 Poland
Jan Bednarek struck
In a game that was abysmal
But coach Akira Nishino
Was grinning at the whistle
Despite losing to Poland
Japan are glad
Nippon go through
Scraping through in Volgograd
The end of this game
Was somewhat a car crash
Both teams walking it
Incurring a fans backlash
Januzaj stunner sends Belgique top
England 0-1 Belgium
Southgate rang the changes
Eight new faces enter the ground
No matter what happens tonight
Both teams are in the next round
All outfield players have featured
In terms of match play
We need to go beyond this loss
Look ahead to Tuesday
Belgium with a few close ones
Some say we were poor
Januzaj with a stunner
Come on England is our roar
Khazri shines as Tunisia bow out
Panama 1-2 Tunisia
A second-half strike
From Sunderland’s Khazri
Sends the Tunisians home
With a World Cup victory
Rodriguez’s shot deflected
Off Yassine Meriah
Ben Youssef equals
Thanks Khazri the Tunisian Tsar
Khazri is the heartbeat
Of this energetic side
He meets Haddadi’s cross
2,500th goal in his stride
28 06 18
number7
© emdad rahman
World Cup day 14
Swedes and Mexico go through
Mexico 0-3 Sweden
El Tri are in shock
As the Swedes seal top
Germany are sent packing
A huge World Cup flop
Augustinsson is first
Granqvist puts Sweden in control
The Scandinavians make sure
With Alvarez’s own goal
Janne Andersson’s Sweden
Were in third place before play
Surely Mexico will announce
A Korea Republic Day
Auf Widersehen champs
South Korea 2-0 Germany
Team DFB make shockwaves
As South Korea leave it late
Their worst World Cup
Since 1938
Yes you heard that right
The champs are sent away
Whilst Mexico will surely dedicate
A South Korea day
Kim and VAR score on ninety
Then Son doubles the pain
Some of Jogi’s selections
Now look totally in Sane
Brazil march on
Serbia 0-2 Brazil
Paulinho and the boys will shine
On Brazil our family agree
No chance of a shock here
So we switch on and enjoy ITV
No ones forgotten the nineties
I wanted them to suffer a rout
With Neymar leading the charge
To be frank I’m glad they’re out
Set piece second from Thiago
Neymar’s goal record still lean
Brazil top Group E
To face Mexico in the last 16
Ticos fight back but Swiss are through
Switzerland 2-2 Costa Rica
Kendall Watson for Costa Rica
It’s their first of this World Cup
There awaits a game against Sweden
Team Nati are group runners up
Dzemaili returned the favour
Switzerland go 1-1
Ticos heads drop
Drmic looked to have it won
Bryan Ruiz with his last kick
Sort of scores the spot kick he took
Bit lucky with the rebound
Off Sommers the Gourmet cook
27 06 18
number7
© emdad rahman
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Welcome to Football Poets -- a club for all football poets, lovers of football and lovers of (alternative) poetry. Discover poets in every league from respected internationals at the top of their game to young hopefuls in the school playground.
Publish your football poems here and then discuss them with your team mates and fans. We're archived by The British Library, so your masterpieces are in the safe hands of a world-class keeper. What a result!
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Crispin’s Corner
In Memoriam
Kick It Out & Christmas Truce
Latest Comments
28th July 2026 at 9:40 pm
Hi Denys. Thanks for your kind words. I could have mentioned Dixie Dean but decided not to.
Best wishes, mate
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26th July 2026 at 3:47 pm
Great knowledge of Everton history, Joe.
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23rd July 2026 at 6:54 pm
Hi Jason,
Sorry I forgot to congratulate you on your excellent poem as well.
Keep well
Joe
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23rd July 2026 at 6:43 pm
Hi Jason,
Thanks so much for your kind words about Kevin Keegan, a footballer of legendary status and deeply missed.
Best wishes
Joe
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23rd July 2026 at 12:01 pm
Thank you, Crispin. I will defo encorage my bunch to contribute and will of course clear it with staff room.
Many thanks
Jase
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22nd July 2026 at 6:48 pm
Great poem Jase.
You are a man of my own heart …
And great to hear that you your students poems from our site.
Keep on and more please
if ever some of your students write anything suitable for here and most importantly they give you permission to publish them, you can always do so under your name referencing their names and the school..and year.
Best Crispin
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22nd July 2026 at 10:29 am
I think this is best thing I have read so far about the legend. Thanks
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22nd July 2026 at 10:22 am
One of the greats, inspired my generation of school kids in the 80s
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23rd May 2026 at 3:35 pm
Hi Crispin,
Thanks for the featured poem for the Arsenal Premier League victory. I love that photo showing the Arsenal ladies and fans in full rattle and rosette mode. I’ve seen it before quite a few times and, I think, a bit iconic. I think it was before the Gunners victory against Liverpool in the 1950 FA Cup Final. Great photograph.
Thanks
Joe
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8th May 2026 at 4:21 pm
Thanks for that Joe. Yes it’s been some season we had a blip but came out of it and finished strong. A mate of mine supports West Ham here in Coventry and my next door neighbour is a Spurs supporter, and both are getting edgy ! I like the Championship though as it’s competitive and has some good teams, players, and fans. Anyway we are back in the top flight and who knows what will happen ?
Cheers. Kev.
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