Thought I would create a new thread for international matches. Traditional South American doormats Bolivia have moved into the final automatic qualifying spot in CONMEBOL after handing Colombia its first loss. Despite their low ranking, they are never a soft touch at home, where they have the added advantage of playing at altitude in La Paz. The win was even more impressive considering they had a man sent off in the 20th minute.
For the non-geography nerds out there, "at altitude" means 3,640 meters, or over 2 miles up. Not a lot of oxygen.
Groundhog Day for Brennan Johnson. Scores an early goal (for Wales vs Iceland), 2-0 up at half time, team concedes quick goals in the second half and doesn't hold on for the win.
Why I have always said South America has the best qualifying tournament: all 10 teams play each other home and away, and anyone can beat anyone else. Case in point yesterday when the bottom side and winless Peru shocked Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay 1-0 at the Estadio Nacional in Lima.
And Johnson came off injured at HT. He had picked up a yellow card which means he is suspended for their next match.
Weren't a lot of Uruguay players suspended, along with Bentancur, for the "incident" in Copa America? That could have a lot to do with it.
Tuchel in advanced talks with the FA over the England job: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/oct/15/thomas-tuchel-advanced-talks-england-manager
Messi continues to amaze at 37 - he scored a hattrick and an assist in Argentina's 6-0 rout of Bolivia at a raucous Estadio Monumental.
Kane to start on the bench against Greece. It looks like Lee Carsley took a dim view to Harry's comments about how the England team atmosphere has worsened since the departure of Gareth Southgate and his effusive praise for Thomas Tuchel. Carsley fancied himself for the England job.
The England team is such a soap opera in the UK press. Every quote analyzed to death, it's exhausting. What Kane said didn't seem to me like a criticism of Carsley, but those so inclined will take it that way. I wouldn't be surprised if Kane's shelf life in the England setup isn't much longer than Carsley's. He was pretty awful in the Euros. Need to start using Watkins/Solanke more.
It was down to the tactics. Kane was still joint top-scorer despite having almost zero passes to him all tournament, and he's still way more prolific and effective than Watkins or Solanke
Funny how our players flourish once they get away from our manager - Son with another goal in South Korea's draw away to Palestine.