No. they lost because that is their limitation and because Messi is literally the GOAT. No manager want 18% possession after scoring. They could not defend deep or cycle the ball and break argentina's press because they don't have the close control quality. That is not a tactical choice it is a limitation. You have to give the winning team credit. Somehow the same pattern repeats over and over with England. It's not a coincidence or one manager making a choice. To say they lost because they were not brave and Spain was brave is to not recognize that Spain has the quality to control the game up the pitch with a lead. It's just silly it's technique not bravery. They were picked apart because of their defending. Cabo Verde did better defending deep. There is no excuse for their defenders and midfielders not executing other than they were second best.
@TorontoCalabria Let me ask you this then. Do you think Argentina hits 2 goalposts, 2 great Pickford Saves, other chances had they not packed it in? To suggest that England didn't start looking like shit at precisely the exact same time when he they put on 5 Defenders and sat too deep, I got nothing for you.
Bro, help me out here. You're going on about a press. What press are you going to have when you pack it in?
So they had 55% Possession in the 1H and a mere 18% after scoring and this is not because they packed it in? I mean what?
England looked good the first 30 minutes because their physicality was too much for argentina. 2nd half they already were pinned back. thats why they only scored on a weird defensive clearance that went right to them while most of the players on both teams were still in Englands half. They created nothing were very lucky to get that goal. They did not lose because they played defensive. They sat deep because they got a lucky goal that went against the run of play. They were already losing control of the game. Then they lost because they could not break Argentinas press att all they could not cycle the ball out of their end and force Argentina to retreat. They lost because their defending of the box was not very good. Did Spain hit two posts and score two goals agaisnt Cabo Verde? No. So their midfield was mediocre their defencing was bad and their attack was non existent in 97 minutes. Of course they wanted to sit deep and counter but they did not want to lose that much control and pray they could just clear every chance. They were drowning out there. Did Italy allow 2 goals and 2 posts to be hit in 30 minutes against Netherlands at Euro 2000? There is no excuse. They wanted to counter but could not.
Mentality Just goes to show that the current Italy team and gutless pukes have a ways to go. Absolutely makes me sick. After losing the UNL Final last year Pedri posted some numbers to his social media -- the date of the World Cup Final. He's taken to social media to revisit that post. This is elite mentality. Something that Italy used to have in spades and it was something Spain lacked.
They are making England the main character. Of course England sat back too early. But they were not going to win if they did not because their flaws were there to see. If they kept a mid block would Messi not have scored? Simeone was nearly one vs one right after the goal which again came against the run of play. It's giving England an out. Argentina were better. You can't prove a negative so we can say if if if but the reality is we have seen this happen with England for decades and we have seen Argentina score late when they need to all tournament and for 6 years. That is the tangible evidence we have. Hypotheticals are nice but Tuchel parked the bus for a reason it was their best chance to advance.
England will not be allowed to move forward until they realize Argentina had them where they wanted them the entire game
Jorginho played with Rice at Arsenal he babysat him but yes Jorginho Verratti Barella schooled England in 2020 as well. Italy will struggle until we replace Verratti Joringo Chiellini Bonnucci which we have not.
That feeling when you smoke a Toscano and realize you have seen your team win 2 or 3 major trophies (depending on each ones age on here) while England hasn't seen one since colour TV was invented....
This is even more ********ed up considering what an absolute shitshow, cluster********, corrupt, archaic, moronic system in place that has become the world laughingstock.
even in our dark periods we make finals. only european team to be in a final every decade since the 60s we can also include the 30s and subtract the 50s because of Superga. 2012/2020 in one of our worst periods. Knocked out Spain 2x England 2 x Germany 1x Belgium 1x
According to this Spanish-language report, supposedly some UEFA Federations, including Italy, will be joining forces and install a candidate to oppose Infantino. Translated: UEFA SETS A CLEAR STANCE The football associations of Italy, Germany, Portugal, Norway, and Ireland are already setting their sights on Euro 2028, pledging that the tournament will serve as a model of transparency and respect for the essence of the sport. Furthermore, they are considering forming a united front to back a candidate to challenge Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency, amidst growing criticism and suspicion regarding the organization's management. UEFA also intends to stick to its traditional regulations: heat breaks will only be implemented in truly exceptional circumstances, prioritizing the flow of the game and eschewing standard "cooling breaks" or commercially driven stoppages. With Euro 2028 taking place in the UK and Ireland (in host cities such as London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Dublin), it is highly unlikely that high temperatures will necessitate halting matches. ⚠️📢 LA UEFA MARCA DISTANCIALas federaciones de Italia, Alemania, Portugal, Noruega e Irlanda ya ponen la mira en la Eurocopa 2028 y aseguran que el torneo será un ejemplo de transparencia y de respeto por la esencia del fútbol.⛓️ Además, analizan formar un bloque común para… pic.twitter.com/wNgGndsk1z— Motivaciones Fútbol (@MotivacionesF) July 15, 2026
UEFA needs to fight for more places .... the idea that europe is even a single region is already silly. the UK and Eastern Europe are not the same thing.
💔You gave it your all, Jordan! pic.twitter.com/5k6K35S3Bh— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) July 15, 2026 fair play to them that was a great tweet.
🏆 World Cup & Euro Champions:2006: Italy 🇮🇹 (ethno-team)2008: Spain 🇪🇸 (ethno-team)2010: Spain 🇪🇸 (ethno-team)2012: Spain 🇪🇸 (ethno-team)2014: Germany 🇩🇪 (ethno-team)2016: Portugal 🇵🇹 (Mixed)2018: France 🇫🇷 (African team)2020: Italy 🇮🇹 (ethno-team)2022: Argentina 🇦🇷… https://t.co/YyULXqTPPo— nativistconcern (@nativistconcern) July 15, 2026 @AGomes maybe we can let Morocco and the other African teams keep their players lol