Calm it down. Focus on us and our performances, don’t comment on others. Just enjoy all the games for what they are. Gracenote confirm that Saudi Arabia’s win over Argentina is the greatest upset of all time.
I can’t see it coming into the PL just yet through. Partly because I’m not sure Broadcasters like having to go even longer withiut airing ad’s particualy on games where the result is no longer likely to change.
This has probably been mentioned already but the Argentina penalty is basically what happened to Maguire against Iran.
So every single player in the Saudi Arabia squad competes in their own league and nine of that starting team represent the same club, Al Hilal. Whereas the 11 that started for Argentina come from 9 different clubs in five different European leagues. After those European leagues finished on the 13th, Argentina were able to schedule one warm-up match on the 16th. In comparison since October, Saudi have arranged half a dozen friendlies in the middle east against Macedonia, Albania, Honduras, Iceland, Panama and Croatia. I suspect that does level the playing field somewhat. My recollection Rover is that the eventual Champion doesn't always shine straight from the group stage. And that a strong defence is often more critical than devastating attack. The Dutch got the job done against Senegal. With Frenkie De Jong patrolling in front of De Ligt & Van Dijk they'll be difficult to get through. And replacing their previous manager with a superior coach tactically will make them more competitive. Ultimately I don't think they'll lift the trophy either but I could see Van Gaal getting them to the semi-final again.
Have to say France looked impressive, people will say it’s only Australia but you could say similar about us even if Iran are slightly better. Saying that, I definitely don’t think Tchouameni-Rabiot is any better a pairing than Rice-Bellingham.
Denmark have revealed they are ready to discuss a blanket withdrawal from FIFA alongside other UEFA nations amid the ongoing row over the #OneLove armbands.https://t.co/JP07HcQxP5— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) November 23, 2022
It wasn’t about making a political statement – human rights are non-negotiable. That should be taken for granted, but it still isn’t the case. That’s why this message is so important to us.Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice. We stand by our position. pic.twitter.com/tiQKuE4XV7— germanfootball_dfb (@DFB_Team_EN) November 23, 2022
The Argentina penalty was a joke. The Argentinian actually holds on to the Saudi player and pulls him down. Maguire is held by the Iranian but Maguire also has his arm on the shoulder. Its Maguire who pulls everyone down to the ground. If we are going to be like this, then Saka's first goal, Maguire has his hand on the shoulder of the Iranian and stops him from jumping.
Germany losing is another really big shock. Can Japan get out of the group instead of Germany or Spain.
Lets hope we learn a lesson from this and dont use sports to make political statements. You would bet that Kane would have us do that brainless mouth covering stunt.
It'll be hard for Germany to get out of the group you'd have to imagine. They'll probably need a win against Spain, who beat them 6-0 last time they played.
Spain are capable of losing through so I wouldn’t rule out Germany beating them despite how they played today.
Havertz is an interesting player, seems like a new Dele Alli, in that he has quality but ultimately lacks the full skillset to play in an orthodox position in any of the commonly used modern systems.
The Spanish have looked really good, moving the ball so well and interchanging fluidly as you’d expect.
They have looked very good indeed. Scored more goals already than any World Cup match in 2010 when they won.