They lost because Spain was a better team on the day, not because of Mbappe. Unless Digne kicking Lamine is Mbappe's fault as well. Of course, all good.
They can swap out 3 players but if they continue to keep their shape and play for each other it will still work. If they play at 90% of what they did today they will beat tomorrow's winner.
i wont throw it all on Mbappe... he was incredibly selfish today. But so was Dembele and others. Olise was just shit overall lol. Just a bunch of individuals out there vs Spain a drilled unit.
Doue in 2nd half. All he has to do is loft the ball in. 70s or 80s player scores that goal all day. Doue is a moronic modern player has no idea how to guide a ball lofting it in. Probably hesitated thinking how could he walk it in from way out France were stupid today. Spain deserves it.
I posted this in wrong thread like a Digne would. I just watched the penalty call. Verdict? Digne is a moron. Penalty all day.
Thinking about it more since some hours have passed since the game. It was dumb of Deschamps to have 2 midfielders and 4 guys up front against Spanish Tiki Taka. Reminds me of Italy vs Spain 2018 world cup qualifying when had Verratti and De Rossi in a midfield 2 and got dominated by Busquets, Koke, Iniesta and Isco.
If you read Mbappe's comments after the match, he admitted France got it wrong tactically AND they were poor on the day. I guess you can give France credit for staying true to themselves and not wanting to change who they are for their opposition because they trust themselves. But when the second half came, they needed a Plan B.
A shame that Ademola Lookman, a player that England produced, committed to Nigeria despite Nigeria doing nothing to develop him. That's quite the player to have come off the bench. CAF is such a fraudulent confederation.
We're kinda repeating ourselves, no? Lookman was born and raised in England and went through English academies. Nigeria had absolutely no input in his development as a player. My POV is not a racial or ethnic POV. It's strictly football. Where do you draw the line? 1-5 dual nats is OK but the 6th not? Nigeria use 7, LMAO. In a nation of 243M and they need others to produce players for them?
OK in my head I just run with if you're eligible, you're eligible. If anything, I thought things were weighted heavily towards Europe since they let in anyone that breathes. So, I am having a hard time grasping Africa having the advantage over Europe.
So you're an Italy fan. How would you feel if Italian academies produced Michael Kayode and Destiny Udogie and they play for Nigeria? You'd be left holding your dick in your hand peeved. Maybe happy for the player but still. Now as it turned out the Nigerians did make overtures to both. Udogie, or better written, Udogies mother declined the Nigerians and said he is to play for Italy (mamma knows best afterall). Kayode said he feels himself Italian and it's not even a question that Azzurro is for him. But could very well had a situation where Italy produced 2 internationals for another.
Lookman rejected Nigeria until he was 23.... its England's fault that they never called him, they could have had him! Plus, he's full Nigerian i have no issue with it, not like they are trying to shoe horn in someone with partial ethnicity or even someone with none.
@Azzurrifan87 No rush. Since you were so adamant on the PK call from yesterday, what should Lucas Digne have done?
Yeah fair point. I just assume Italia (LOL) or any other nation of historical power would have already scanned all eligible players and picked the best, meaning the Africans can have the leftovers that we don't need
What an insane thing to say bc he lost one game, when he may go down as the GOAT in World Cup, lmao. 25 goal contributions in 21 games, a WC champion, finalist, and semi finalist all before 30.
I know we are talking about national teams but for clubs, Bastoni is a ton more reliable than Cubarsi. He is such a liability with Barca's high line, while Inigo Martinez wasn't.
I can't believe Spain's loss to Portugal in the Nations League doesn't count against their unbeaten run bc it was due to penalties. Great, so they already tied our unbeaten record and prolly will surpass it.
I think it should count. You play within the rules of the game. We won our penalties against Spain and England got credit for the win. Spain should get a loss for theirs. Also, didn't Morocco already beat our record? And who cares anyway because Turkey stole the unofficial world championship on their way out of the WC!
Spain could lose the World Cup Final and their unbeaten streak could still be intact, what a joke. Morocco got close but nope, they got to 34, lost to Kenya in Aug 2025. If they didn't lose that game, they would've been at 50 games.
Can't see palestra playing ahead of a right back currently starting in a wc semi final. I doubt Reece loses any sleep. Andiamo!