Anthony hasn't done anything that sancho hasn't done. Rodrygo has built his reputation on a few champions league goals in the knockouts last year. Martinelli is a good prospect
That’s the issue with Southgate and to some extent England as any other country would be playing TAA every time Only recently Cafu probably the best RB ever named TAA as the best RB in the world
Anthony has had a few good games / moments for United and scored some cracking goals Sancho has done diddly squat
Brazil have arguably the best starting XI in the tournament but it is only arguable. Richarlison and Martinelli are good but they're not great. Certainly no better than Foden, Saka or Kane. Personally I'd take Grealish over Martinelli too as I perceive the latter to be quite overrated by some. Although he has a few purple patches he's not a very intelligent player in my opinion and plays with his head down a lot. Grealish is a better tactical player at international level for me. I think Neymar, Junior and Allison are three players at their peak that any side would love to have in their team. Casemiro, Marquinhos and Silva are very good as well. I'd put Brazil alongside France as the two best sides in the competition but neither are ominously good. Considering depth on the bench I think that England and Brazil actually have the best attacking options in the tournament overall. Both sides can bring on three attackers of high quality from the bench.
I don't think there's much evidence of a decline in European football at this tournament. As long as Spain beat Morocco 6 of the 8 quarter finalists will be European. It's basically Europe + Brazil and Argentina which is pretty much what it's been for a very long time. It's 20 years since a South American side won the trophy meaning the last 4 have been won by European sides so it's understandable that South American fans are feeling a bit insecure about their standing on the world stage. It won't be a surprise if Brazil or Argentina win this tournament but I'm not sure it will point to a decline in European football just yet.
England beat the top ranked Asian team 6-2, (ranked above South Korea and Japan, finished above South Korea in their qualifying group and recently beat Uruguay) 'meaningless, Iran are shite' Brazil beat South Korea 4-1 'inspirational, worthy of many dances'
Unfortunately England will be derided no matter what. Crazy that the inventors of the game are hated so much. Its like children hating their own mother. Yet the EPL is the most popular league in the world. What have we done to be disliked so much
If Spain beat Morocco and Portugal beat Switzerland then every team in the Quarter final will have at least one player with World Cup semi final playing experience.
From Sky ‘Portuguese newspaper A Bola has published a poll revealing 70 per cent of readers want Cristiano Ronaldo dropped for the Switzerland last-16 tie.’
Spain with 1 shot in the first half against Morocco. They really can be the most boring team in world at times. Their negativity takes the form of holding on to the ball rather than giving it up. HT: Spain have played 389 passes in the first 45, but almost exclusively in the middle thirdPasses in the final third:#MAR 27 - 51 #ESP Shots:#MAR 3 - 1 #ESP StatsBomb Live xG:#MAR 0.23 - 0.09 #ESP#MARESP | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/pJKpxkdjFC— StatsBomb (@StatsBomb) December 6, 2022
Spain having a very hard time with Morocco. A team thats ranked 22 in the world, Lower than any team Englands faced.
Not just rankings. Morocco have simply looked good all through this tournament and have hardly let any goals in for months now. I suspected it would be a close match.
Yes. 20th March for Kawashima, 6th May for Alves. 26th February for Pepe. Pasveer of the Netherlands also born in 1983, 8th November. As was Hutchinson of Canada - 8th February. Talavera of Mexico was the only 1982 born player in a World Cup squad.