It was strange him talking up Holland's superiority in a penalty shootout situation given they now have only won 2/8 they've contested which is a record actually worse than England's. 25% success vs 30%. They also lost their last shootout against Argentina.
John Herdman is quite outspoken like that and if he ever became England manager he would ordered to tone it right down. The FA doesn’t like being seen as arrogant.
Not defending this because Argentina were definitely out of order. But the dutch were no saints. Two dutch players followed Fernandez when he was going to take his penalty and he subsequently missed. When Paredes kicked the ball into the dutch bench, Van Dijk ran 40 yards to bodyslam him. Up to the penalties, the Dutch were reacting to the Argies. But interfering with the penalty takers is not a good look.
Yeah I get that the Dutch weren’t saints but still doesn’t excuse the behaviour of the Argentina players! They need to be humbled https://t.co/MsVsEITktz— . (@LukeShawArmy) December 10, 2022 Now, can you imagine if this was Pickford? The World would be in meltdown, demand our expulsion etc and no excuses would be accepted but because it’s not England, you get those who defend them.
This isn't Club football so I was just comparing their international records. Which seeing as until this World Cup Deschamps had far the better players is quite close. I mean losing finalist in the Euros. Where have I heard that before and in the world cup France won England got to the Semi with a far weaker squad than France. .
Yes the Argies ( especially the defenders) are no angels but the Dutch surprised me last night .. they were trying to provoke the hot headed players all evening… look at all those mass brawls throughout the game … 99% were instigated by the Dutch and their behaviour during the penalties when teams are usually respectful was a disgrace
I’m pretty sure there’s more gone on behind the scenes that were not privy too, words said between both set of players but the Argies have history of shithousery, just look at Romero for Spurs, he’s the biggest wind up merchant in the Premier league so it wouldn’t surprise me if they were giving it loads during the game.
Is it possible that this WC is like "bought" to bring Argentina and Portugal in the final (Messi vs ronaldo). Because before the WC THE FIFA president said "it will be the best WC ever". And for marketing and money reasons.... They could force it with money. Do you think it's possible? I mean the almost biggest threads for Argentina are out ( brazil)..... For Portugal it's only france or England in the way
Probably the result of arriving in the UK at 18 and being (bar one season in Spain) here ever since. And during his first few seasons he was at loan at Clubs where they wouldn’t have been many non native English speakers and therefor easier to pick up the accent.
This ref looks desperate to give Portugal a penalty … doesn’t seem to bother too much when the Portuguese defenders are holding and blocking defending corners
No doubt the money men at FIFA would want this. I don't think they can influence it too much but there was no way the ref was sending Messi off last night.
So he gives that soft free kick to Portugal yet when Ziyech gets taken out by Diaz and limped off he just played on I’m expecting 15 minutes extra time
The interesting thing about this game how like post-Mourinho Portugal Morocco are. They have a high technical level but play a really stingy game. Not as many top players but similar all the same.
First World Cup in Asia saw the first Asian semi finalist who then had to play a former winner in the semi having defeated a former champion in the round of 16 and former European champion in the quarters. The first World Cup in the Arab world sees an Arab semi finalist beat a former winner in the round of 16, a former European champion in the quarter and who will play either the defending champion or a former winner in the semi.
Sobbing and he walked straight off in tears while the rest of his team stayed on the tough looking shocked.
I was a bit worried when Morocco started just hoofing the ball clear with 30 minutes left, but they held on well in the end. Fully deserved, and could easily have scored again on the break. If we get through tonight, the key against them will be getting an early goal. They seem to grow stronger defensively as every minute passes without conceding.