All things Football (soccer) related

[rico21]

Apparently, these footballers look like conspirators.[X(]

[ernieschwitz]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Speaking of [&:], what is Southgate doing? That many changes is just plain dumb. Maguire has been shaky, so unless he is considering dropping him for the next game, why not give him more time to get a handle on international football? Why drop Sterling? He too needs a non-pressured game to get into the grove he allegedly is capable of.....

Really.Not.Happy.With.That [:(]

The match between England and Belgium has by my media been dubbed the game nobody wants to win. The reasoning being that the winner gets the harder side of the tournament tree... This is going to be a fun one to watch... Both sides will likely be sparing players, since both sides are certain to advance... If you are looking for a game with action, look at the other game in that group. They have nothing to play for in that game, but, at least they won't get punished for winning.

[warspite1]

Well there's 45 minutes of my life that have disappeared down a football shaped black hole.....

Dire. Absolutely dire. And the worst thing is, I think England are actually trying to win this.... At least Rose has tried.

[rico21]

I congratulate the English team for being honest by avoiding the 0-0.[&o]

[shunwick]

The final round of games Group G are now complete.

England 0 Belgium 1. A friendly international in which Belgium were by far the better side. England were too predictable in attack and Marcus Rashford missed a glorious chance to level the game. Fortunately, both sides were trying to win the game and England, in particular, are a long way behind Belgium in terms of class. An absolute peach of a goal. The defeat will hurt England.

Panama 1 Tunsia 2. A game I did not watch.

The last sixteen pairings see Belgium v Japan and England v Colombia.

Best wishes,
Steve

[warspite1]

England. A quality free zone. How dare those pundits waffle on about "we're in an easier half of the draw". Easier? No one is easy for England. Sweden or Switzerland? What the......? Yeah, try concentrating on beating the Colombians who, after a bad start, have now got the momentum we could've had going into the game.

In 90 minutes there was one - yep ONE - ball played in behind the defence (only for Rashford to fluff his lines). That is appalling. Who is coaching this rabble? At least there were a few runs at the Belgians - Rashford, Rose, Loftus-Cheek - but in all cases the end product just wasn't there. Dier offered nothing and I'm not even sure if Delph came out for the second-half.

I really hate this dumb game [&:][:(][8|]

[TulliusDetritus]

ORIGINAL: shunwick
England, in particular, are a long way behind Belgium in terms of class. An absolute peach of a goal. The defeat will hurt England.

Look at the bright side: you're avoiding the slaughter house which does not mean you will be easily defeating the mob on the "easy" side

It's too early for England IMO. But the future has to be bright: your youngsters are harvesting titles = you're finally producing talent. Wait a bit more, cross your fingers and hope for the best: they might -or not, look at the Dutch- pay dividends soon... 5 to 10 years is not a crazy estimate.

[RFalvo69]

I noticed a strange thing going on: all the teams who wore green were hammered: Germany, Mexico, Senegal... I wonder what caused this peculiar curse.

[warspite1]

I think its clear from this view of the draw that either Spain or Croatia must be considered guaranteed finalists. I think either could win it but Croatia have looked very good in the group stage.

One thing is for certain. If the eventual World Champions do come from the top half of the draw then you will have to say they will have deserved it! Tough half or what?!

What a disastrous world cup for African football though....

[NavalNewZ]

.

[shunwick]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

I think its clear from this view of the draw that either Spain or Croatia must be considered guaranteed finalists. I think either could win it but Croatia have looked very good in the group stage.

One thing is for certain. If the eventual World Champions do come from the top half of the draw then you will have to say they will have deserved it! Tough half or what?!

What a disastrous world cup for African football though....

Some tasty looking games in the last sixteen.

Uruguay - Portugal is high on the tasteometer. While other teams and players have been grabbing the headlines, Potugal, Ronaldo, Brazil, Neymar, Germany, Argentina, Messi etc.. the Uruguayans have just been getting on with it. I like that about the Uruguayans.

France - Argentina also high on the tasteometer. Both teams disappointing so far and both teams owe the neutrals a good game.

Brazil - Mexico is high on the tasteometer. Brazil and Mexico are old enemies. Brazil are easing into top form and Mexico will work their little Mexican socks off.

Belgium v Japan will be worth watching. Japan have absolutely nothing to lose. Do they have the moral fibre to take the game to Belgium? Their last game would suggest not.

Spain - Russia could be a good game. The Spanish owe the neutrals a decent game. Russia began the tournament with no hope at all, played well in two games so that they were overhyped for the last one. Sounds familiar? Looking forward to this game. We will find out if Russia can get their heads right.

Croatia - Denmark. High on the Tasteometer. I want to know if Croatia are going to be a major force. They need to stuff the Danish pastries to look like genuine contenders though. Denmark have been disappointing so far.

Sweden - Switzerland is another game I am looking forward to. Could be undiluted stodge because it all depends on who dares... If both Sweden and Switzerland go for the win rather than penalties this could be a good game for watching.

Colombia v England Biggest game for England in decade. Will need to get a lot better if the want to beat Colombia. Colombia should fancy their chances. It all comes down to if the Colombians believe in themselves enough or whether they believe the English hype.

Best wishes,
Steve

PS. I certainly agree about the African nations. Generally disappointing.

[rico21]

I do not know who will win the France-Argentina match and I really do not care, it will not change my life.
That being said, if France loses, it will be above all and above all the fault of the coach who will have built his team around Griezmann.
If France loses against Argentina, it will cause the resignation of the coach, who has committed to go to the quarterfinals and will be replaced by our national legend ...
Zinedine Zidane.

[shunwick]

The first game of the last sixteen knockout round sees:-

Argentina 3 France 4. Both teams owed the neutrals a game after their previous performances and both delivered. France edged it overall but fantastic strikes by Di Maria for Argentina and Pavard for France and MBappe probably man of the match. Pogba had great game as well. Messi only really came alive towards the end of the game as Argentina were chasing to overturn a 2-4 score-line.

France go through to the quarter-finals.

Best wishes,
Steve

[warspite1]

What a great start to the knockout stages! A shame Argentina didn't score their third a little earlier or that prize idiot Otemendi didn't make that dumbarse foul with 2 minutes to go because that would have set up even greater drama.

France deserved to progress and now meet Uruguay or Portugal. I wonder if both teams will finish with 11 men tonight

[shunwick]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

What a great start to the knockout stages! A shame Argentina didn't score their third a little earlier or that prize idiot Otemendi didn't make that dumbarse foul with 2 minutes to go because that would have set up even greater drama.

France deserved to progress and now meet Uruguay or Portugal. I wonder if both teams will finish with 11 men tonight

One GOAT down another to go?

Best wishes,
Steve

[warspite1]

Another GOAT down? I fancy Uruguay for this one so probably put your money on a Portugal win [:D]

[Orm]

ORIGINAL: rico21

I do not know who will win the France-Argentina match and I really do not care, it will not change my life.
That being said, if France loses, it will be above all and above all the fault of the coach who will have built his team around Griezmann.
If France loses against Argentina, it will cause the resignation of the coach, who has committed to go to the quarterfinals and will be replaced by our national legend ...
Zinedine Zidane.

To me it looks like the French coach made the right call.

[Orm]

ORIGINAL: shunwick

ORIGINAL: warspite1

What a great start to the knockout stages! A shame Argentina didn't score their third a little earlier or that prize idiot Otemendi didn't make that dumbarse foul with 2 minutes to go because that would have set up even greater drama.

France deserved to progress and now meet Uruguay or Portugal. I wonder if both teams will finish with 11 men tonight

One GOAT down another to go?

Best wishes,
Steve

Can there be more than one GOAT? [&:]

[Orm]

Well deserved win for France. Although they really should have scored at least twice in the first half. And the Argentinian improvement during the game was impressive.

Nice goals. [:)]

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Orm

ORIGINAL: shunwick

ORIGINAL: warspite1

What a great start to the knockout stages! A shame Argentina didn't score their third a little earlier or that prize idiot Otemendi didn't make that dumbarse foul with 2 minutes to go because that would have set up even greater drama.

France deserved to progress and now meet Uruguay or Portugal. I wonder if both teams will finish with 11 men tonight

One GOAT down another to go?

Best wishes,
Steve

Can there be more than one GOAT? [&:]

warspite1

Theoretically no, but as the title is subjective then yes I guess there can be.

After all no matter what Marandona or Pele or Cruyff or Ronaldo or Messi fans think about their pretenders, we at White Hart Lane have seen the one true GOAT...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muCWe-m-pMc