Germany arguably played much better than Spain in the semi in 2010 and got knocked out by a set piece header. Tight games like this always happen. We got it pretty much perfect defensively and can limit big teams of late in tournaments. I think people are going for a narrative that things are completely impossible because of mentality but we played the tournament with the best mentality of a team I’ve ever seen with England. Other than maybe a slight wobble after the penalty miss. We also never had a perfect infallible team/squad anyway.
To be fair to Southgate at every tournament under him we've looked better than the last. A lot of people still talk about the Croatia game at his first tournament, but to me it's kind of amazing in hindsight that a midfield of Henderson, Lingard and Alli were even in the game against Modric, Rakitic and Brozovic.
I don't want to keep banging the xG drum but out of the 4 semi finalists only Argentina had won every game on xG. Croatia, and France only 2/5 and Morocco haven't won any at all! This Argentina may not be a vintage side but they've probably been the best side in the competition overall. Granted that Argentina have had 4 penalties which will inflate those numbers but it suggests the other semi finalists have been riding their luck so Croatia losing like this isn't really a surprise. The other thing about Messi's Argentina is that before they won their recent Copa they'd lost numerous finals and actually had a somewhat unfair reputation as big game bottlers.
Whilst I can’t argue with that, I do feel their opponents have played a massive part in it. This is why it will be intriguing if they do end up facing France. Until now, they’ve faced two toothless sides in Australia and Croatia. The French are obviously a completely different animal going forward with their attacking trident. We also saw in the QF that the first time they were attacked and put under a little pressure, they squandered a two goal advantage. It was a similar story against the Saudis. Of course, these two teams were nowhere near the calibre of the French. If Argentina do get over the line, then in some ways, it is a lesson for us in the value of retaining hope and persisting. Until the Copa America win last year, they’d been in what feels like 10 finals since 86 only to always come up short. Correction: They won the Copa America in 1993 but still it’s a lot of losses given the number of finals and the fact they are supposed to be 50:50.
Argentina haven't played anyone of note yet. I bet we'd be in the final now if we had their draw. Fact is we were not clinical and let in two poor goals.
This. So much this. Just keep producing more players, better players all over the pitch and keep putting yourself in positions to win.
If it had been us, it would have been noted how easy our draw was but I’ve not heard that mentioned about Argentina’s route funnily enough. Remember when we beat Croatia in the Euro groups, it was a poor Croatia team etc etc so it doesn’t count.
I said before the tournament that there’s mixed emotions for me personally. I do really like Messi and he’s my favourite player outside of either England or my club. On the other hand, the media and social media love in has been every bit as insufferable as I thought it would be. There are very few likeable attributes to be found in Argentina away from Messi and as a result I’m getting increasingly irked by the way the whole world is rallying around them, including most of the people I’m close to both friends and family in real life.
Don't forget that the other team who we beat in our group in the Euros was Czech Republic who then knocked Holland out of the competition beating them 2-0 in the second round! Of course our run was easy though!
Gleeful Argentina players insult the English and sing Falkland war chant in their dressing room https://t.co/8SkRagmEq7— Mail Sport (@MailSport) December 14, 2022 This is the Daily Mail so I’m not sure how true this is but if it is true, can you imagine the uproar from the World if our players were in the changing rooms singing songs about another Country. Just another example of how it’s acceptable for one to sing derogatory songs about us or throw insults about but when the shoe is on the other foot, nothing is said. If this is true, let’s see if anything is made of it?!?!
Am I right in thinking that Lillian and Marcus thuram are the first father and son to play for the same country without either of them being born there?
Ahead of the #FIFAWorldCup semi-finals, here's how each team have played at the 2022 tournament so far... pic.twitter.com/qCgQRF4e2z— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) December 13, 2022 Thought this was interesting. Spain as usual very distinct but the closest to them was actually England... With the elimination of Croatia, the Champions will again be a group winner. They actually hired a technical director from the Wales association a few years back, doubtless that aspect was part of the decision. I hadn't realised even the manager is from France.
Don't want to turn this into politics but imagine getting so riled up by a country thousands of miles away over something so trivial, at least in the context of historical and modern disputes between countries, and then cultivating a national identity from it, they're utterly pathetic. What's infuriating is the groundswell of support they have from so many English ex-players, pundits, media and just average fans because of Messi. They've made their feelings towards us as a nation clear on so many occasions. They even did it when they came to London in June to play Italy.
Anyone know if Mane was with the Senegal squad during the competition to boost their moral or did he stay well away ?
I’d actually start Dybala alongside Alvarez for the first 50 minutes or so and let them run the French team into the ground and get a few of them booked then bring Messi on for the last 40 minutes plus injury / extra time
This is what happens when you approach big games with an aggressive mentality. Dislike Argentina but fair play to them, they’ve had no fear, gone out full of intent and are reaping the deserved rewards. It kills me to think this could’ve been us last year had we put Italy to the sword when they were similarly on the ropes in the opening half hour.
Always a worry with the way Deschamps sets up if France go behind in a knockout game. I’m not convinced by that penalty decision. Giroud would have been useful in the second half because I assume France will be more direct in the next half.
Who do you guys want to win here? I feel a bit for Messi if it goes against him but I'm supporting France - partly because of personal connections, and partly because oh my God the rest of the Argentina side are a shower of twats...