I thought this game highlighted bigger tactical issues with England The whole idea of Anderson is he brings that disty and structure that Rice doesn't have - that was the new dawn in qualis Yet in tourney it didn't work out. Not really able to play through the middle, and not much of a wide game because they won't overload. Also their press and counter press were bobbins Some of it's injuries/fitness - particularly to Saka, James and Rice James & Rice were run into the ground - why did Mainoo not play at all? Why no counter game with Rashford if you are sitting deep? Something seems to have gone wrong in camp
Yep. It was ballsy to leave Cole and Foden at home, but those decisions can certainly be justified. Taking a way past it Henderson and not bringing another passer/retainer like Wharton was an odd choice.
yeah Henderson is bonkers because they really were a midfielder short Also with James being crocked all the time, it was a risk relying on him over TAA. Though TAA really can't defend well and IMO Anderson was the better player for midfield.
I thought the ref did a good job of telling the ARG players early that he wasn't interested in their shithousery and after about 20 mins it was kept to a minimum. And ARG showed they don't need it to win. Also I'd love to see Rice take a few more pops like Enzo did in similar circumstances for us from time to time.
So now both ENG & FRA have to play for 3rd place in Miami at 5pm when it's likely to be in the 90's realfeel w/ copious humidity. I'm sure they're both dreading it. And, other than FIFA wanting to maximize their MD revenue*, what's the point? It's not like the Olympics where a bronze medal is at stake. *I do realize that's the answer, but sigh...
Thanks, I stand corrected! But I'm sure you would agree that nobody on ENG or FRA are gonna be beaming the way Modric is in that photo. Let's see... maybe I'll be wrong again!
There always has been a consolation game, but calling it a "Bronze Final" is odd. The players on the top three teams get participation medals, but I never heard of someone being a World Cup Gold medalist or World Cup Silver medalist. I always heard of it as the World Cup trophy winner or World Cup runner-up. Maybe I just haven't paid enough attention.
He should've given Enzo a yellow card in the 3rd minute when he put his forearm through the back of Anderson's head. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume maybe his sightline was blocked so he just didn't see it. Other than that he was decent.
Ref did an ok job. He did fail to card several early Argentina fouls that 100% deserved a yellow and then promptly carded the 1st player to foul Messi. Bit shady that Messi is 6-0 with this guy as ref. VAR on the other hand did a terrible job..... - Enzo deal was borderline red and should have been looked at - 2nd goal (I think?) came right after Messi stepped on Djed Spence's foot. If we are being consistent, that goal should have been disallowed for a foul leading up to the goal just like the Egypt goal against Argentina. This loss was 100% on Tuchel, but....... the ref & VAR really did help Argentina out a bit as well
Agreed. Total joke VAR didn’t apply their new ‘egypt’ rule. and Enzo should have been looked at for foul play. blatant.
that shouldn't matter. a foul is a foul regardless if it happens in the 1st or 91st min. If it deserves a card in the 91st it does in the 1st as well. This "risky that early" shit is the same stupid logic that allowed Kovacic to commit 2 red/orange tackles against us in the first 20 min and gets to finish the game.
The first half was a total mess thanks to the ref. The only actual football was between 45-55 mins after he finally carded 2 argentine players.
We could have ended up with the Battle of Nuremberg if the first hard challenged would have been booked. Past examples have shown that reffing a high level match is more than just following the letter of the law to a T - it takes some nuance.
Nobody is crying about Declan Rice not been sent off for covering his mouth while talking to Messi, what can we say he’s not Argentinian 🤦🏼♂️🤦🏼♂️ pic.twitter.com/xqiFrvAmWw— LAMINE YAMAL 👑 (@Goodkid_khalis) July 16, 2026
Teds podcast makes a good case that Saka should have come in to go against Gonzalez and give an out. And if he was too crocked it should have been Madueke who is quick and brings carries. I think that’s right even of Madueke was terrible in the previous game. You need someone with pace who can spring.
Declan rice was complementing Messi. my mother is good friends with Declan rice’s cousins hairdresser As such , not a basis for red card.