All things Football (soccer) related

[shunwick]

Euro 2024 Fixtures

Ukraine vs Belgium
Slovakia vs Romania

Czech Republic vs Turkey
Georgia vs Portugal

Copa America 2024 Result and Fixtures

Chile 0 Argentina 1
Ecuador vs Jamaica

Venezuela vs Mexico
Panama vs USA

Best wishes,
Steve

[shunwick]

The post mortem (well not really a post mortem as England are not quite dead yet ) continues this morning. The one thing everyone - fans, ex-players, pundits, press and foreign press agree on is that England have been positively woeful. L'Equipe were once again scathing in their player ratings.

What last night hopefully evidenced to Gareth Southgate (but I doubt it) is that Jude Bellingham is really not playing well and that Gallagher is not the answer in midfield. One of the many problems is that Cole Palmer did really well when he came on - but his position on the right wing would be in place of Saka who has had a decent tournament (at least relative to other England players).

The bold move would be to sub Bellingham, play Foden at 10 and bring in a winger on the left. Mainoo possibly keeps his midfield spot. But what to do with Palmer is not obvious - could he play 10? But that would mean dropping Foden or keeping him stuck out on the left.....

Sweeping (and experimental) changes are really not Southgate's style - and to do so in a knock out match seems unthinkable.

But then as I've said before, I believe its tactics letting England down. The starting 11 last night was once again MUCH better on paper than the performance they put in - why?.

France have not had the best of starts either, and have only got one win and two goals. But unlike England, were in a tough group and this has meant they finished second. So England - also with just one win and two goals (but also are 21st in goal expectancy (out of 24) which evidences the total lack of chances being created) luckily avoid the "big four" - France, Germany, Portugal and Spain. But given the way they are playing (Slovenia are 57th in the rankings!) its difficult seeing them progress on Sunday, regardless of who they play.

Lets hope that Gareth Southgate can turn this around - but then we've been saying that since the Serbia game.....

England are (like all other teams reaching the knockout stage) just four games away from winning the Euros. Gareth Southgate's England play safety first football. It's not pretty. I don't like. But it does not require any player to play well just competently. It functions even if players are playing poorly. England topped their group despite most fans and pundits believing they are playing badly.

Southgate will be perfectly happy if England's next four games end 0-0 aet winning on penalties. He will happily exchange attractive football for safety first, no risk football if the latter is effective. So far, it is effective.

Is it robust enough when put under pressure from better quality opposition? It has been in the past and while the past is not a reliable guide to the future, Gareth Southgate is a true believer in safety first football.

Best wishes,
Steve

[RangerJoe]

Just remember, in all competitions where the loser is eliminated that all but one team loses their last game!

[shunwick]

Ukraine 0 Belgium 0
Romania 1 Slovakia 1

I watched the Romania game. Decent match. Slovakia might have edged it but there really wasn't much between the two teams. Both teams overjoyed at the result since it puts both into the knockout rounds. Congratulations to both Romania and Slovakia.

Ukraine are out. Finishing on 4 points and still bottom of the group. The Ukrainian lads have done the nation proud. Belgium? They face France in the last sixteen and neither side playing very well at the moment. Germany will play Denmark and Switzerland will play Italy. Those are the only 3 pairings that are resolved at this time.

Best wishes,
Steve

[warspite1]

A great shame for Ukraine - out of the competition with 4 points - more than most 3rd place finishers… they deserved a bit of luck with all they are going through.

[warspite1]

63 mins

Georgia 2-0 Portugal
Czech Rep 0-1 Turkey

Well….. Georgia are excellent value for their two goal cushion - and as things stand, are going through.

The latest is that England will face Slovakia and not the Netherlands…..

[warspite1]

10-man Czech Rep have just equalised - one more and Turkey could be going home……

Football - it’s proper bonkers……

[gamer78]

To be honest it could be different if Czech Rep have 11 men in field. Austria will be very tough opponent and they are very much favourites. I won't be surprised also Switzerland&Austria in Semi final.
But one should say something to Portuguese team. Even with C. Ronaldo thay are not great as Brazil in 2002 Fifa World Cup. Costa Rica vs Brazil (2-5) even they are both South American nations. Brazil did what it should do (winning all matches). History shows how tournament goes after that result.

Congratulations to Britain (Portugal as an historical ally-joke-) to have Slovakia as opponent.

[RangerJoe]

Changing the discourse, the ESL Forward Alex Morgan is not on the USA's soccer team for the Olympics.

U.S. Olympic team:

Goalkeepers: Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)

Defenders: Tierna Davidson (Gotham), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (Gotham), Emily Sonnett (Gotham)

Midfielders: Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns), Lindsey Horan (Lyon), Rose Lavelle (Gotham), Catarina Macario (Chelsea)

Forwards: Crystal Dunn (Gotham), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars)

[warspite1]

Congratulations to Britain........... to have Slovakia as opponent.

warspite1

I think the way England are playing, any team will be difficult. And sadly, for all those England supporters who are overly delighted at playing Slovakia - do they really not remember what they were saying about Iceland back in 2016?

Slovakia, Netherlands, whoever, it doesn't matter. Unless England start playing football they are toast - and deservedly so.

[Neilster]

That Georgia win was pretty massive. From memory about 75th in the world and a population of about four million. You get the impression they have something to prove. Good on them.

[shunwick]

Catching up on the results

Euro 2024

Ukraine 0 Belgium 0
Slovakia 1 Romania 1

Czech Republic 1 Turkey 2
Georgia 2 Portugal 0

Copa America

Chile 0 Argentina 1
Ecuador 3 Jamaica 1
Venezuela 1 Mexico 0

Coming Up

Copa America

Panama vs USA
Uruguay vs Bolivia
Colombia vs Costa Rica

Euro 2024 Last 16 Pairings

Spain vs Georgia
Germany vs Denmark
Portugal vs Slovenia
France vs Belgium
Romania vs Netherlands
Austria vs Turkey
England vs Slovakia
Switzerland Vs Italy

Congratulations to Georgia for getting through to the knockout stage and to Romania finishing top of their group. Slovakia and Slovenia have been playing well. There are some interesting games here. Some teams are on high others not so much.

Best wishes,
Steve

[shunwick]

Congratulations to Britain ... to have Slovakia as opponent.

That is incredibly insulting to Slovakia.

Best wishes,
Steve

[gamer78]

But BBC and perhaps also English supporters would like as an opponent? But yes Netherlands also don't play very well which I would prefer instead of Austria. Serbia, Croatia, Ukraine left tournament also they had very good team.

Euro 2024 Last 16 Pairings

Spain vs Georgia
Germany vs Denmark
Portugal vs Slovenia
France vs Belgium
Romania vs Netherlands
Austria vs Turkey
England vs Slovakia
Switzerland Vs Italy

Congratulations to Georgia for getting through to the knockout stage and to Romania finishing top of their group. Slovakia and Slovenia have been playing well. There are some interesting games here. Some teams are on high others not so much.

Best wishes,
Steve

I think favorites are written well. Perhaps Netherlands vs Romania instead of Romania vs Netherlands. Cheers.

[shunwick]

Copa America 2024

Panama 2 USA 1
Uruguay 5 Bolivia 0

Best wishes,
Steve

[shunwick]

Copa America 2024

Colombia 3 Costa Rica 0
Paraguay 1 Brazil 4

Coming up...

Euro 2024 Knockout Stage

Switzerland vs Italy
Germany vs Denmark

Copa America 2024 Group stage

Argentina vs Peru
Canada vs Chile

The have been some surprises in the Copa America so far... Venezuela beating Mexico for the first time ever and that Costa Rica 0-0 draw against Brazil. I was going to add Panama beating USA but... Panama have won 3 out of 4 recent meetings with the USA so maybe not so much of surprise.

It has left the USA dreaming of beating second favourites Uruguay in their final game in group and praying that Bolivia (the worst team in the competition) can beat Panama. Getting eliminated from the group stage as the host nation would be a disaster for football in the United States. But, as evidenced by the comments (or rather lack of them), it seems that support for their national team is non-existent in the national consciousness. Sad really.

Best wishes,
Steve

[warspite1]

So what is going to happen in the Euros today?

Switzerland vs Italy

Difficult one to call this. I think the Swiss and Austria are favourites for one to reach the final from this side of the draw - based on their performances in the group stages. I am plumping for a Swiss win but I suspect it will be a close, edgy contest.

Germany vs Denmark

Based on the group stage results and performances - and also factoring that they are at home - I can only see Germany winning this - and doing so quite easily. Denmark will be hoping for a repeat of Euro 1992 but I can't see it happening.

So those are my predictions and therefore expect to see Italy and Denmark in the next round

[Orm]

I call it for Italy, and Germany.

[warspite1]

Half time

Switzerland 1-0 Italy

Only one team in it at the moment. The Swiss are very impressive - mobile, forward thinking and prepared to take people on - while Italy are playing like England - slow, uninventive and dull.

A lot more required in the second half from the Azzuri or they are going home.

[warspite1]

Full time

Switzerland 2-0 Italy

The Swiss thoroughly deserved their win. They must be praying they play England next - because quite seriously, Italy today were just like England. Shockingly dull, so sloppy and offered nothing.