I thought the game was good. Just Spain had a better plan and execution and France were never able to shift gears (not unlike the US but more surprising because “France”). I’m thinking Spain wins because I don’t like Argentina and my wife’s dead Irish grandmother hated England. Anyway, hoping for a fun match tomorrow and an even better one Sunday!
I was rooting for France to score just one goal - just to make it interesting. But Spain was too dominant, France was rattled, and Mbappe couldn't pull off a great distance shot with his couple of chances. I enjoyed the game and Spain's approach to the game is really fascinating. Yamal has lightning speed and the second goal was super. Shocked that Barton was the referee for this important game - he did better than I expected.
With France out, I am now on the England bandwagon. I figure they have suffered enough, although a non-hand ball call on Messi leading to a Argentina win would be halarious. Besides I would love to see a rematch of the 22 WC final as the 3rd place game.
Tough match, but I felt like if anyone was going to stop France it would be Spain. For all France's talent, their midfield is unremarkable and that's where Spain won the match. I thought for sure Deschamps would sacrifice offense to have one more runner out there who can press and win the ball back. BTW, Spain's run since 2020: 2021 - Nations League Runner-up 2023 - Nations League Champs 2023 - Women's World Cup Champs 2024 - Euro Champs 2024 - Olympic Gold Medalists 2024 - Women's Nations League Champs 2025 - Women's Euro Champs 2025 - Women's Nations League Champs 2025 - Nations League Runner-up In total: 1x Womens World Cup 2x Euro Winners 1x Olympic Gold 3x Nations League Winners 2x Nations League Runners-Up How about player awards? 2021 - Women's Ballon D'or Winner (Putellas) 2021 - Golden Boy (Pedri) 2022 - Women's Ballon D'or Winner (Putellas) 2022 - Golden Boy (Gavi) 2023 - Women's Ballon D'or Winner (Bonmati) 2024 - Women's Ballon D'or Winner (Bonmati) 2024 - Ballon D'or Winner (Rodri) 2024 - Golden Boy (Yamal) 2024 - Golden Girl (Lopez) 2025 - Women's Ballon D'or Winner (Bonmati) In total: 6x Ballon d'or 4x Golden Boy / Girl But wait, there's more! No Spanish clubs made the UCL final this year - Arsenal and PSG did. Who are they coached by? 2026 UCL Champ - Enrique (PSG) 2026 UCL Runners Up - Arteta (Arsenal) 2026 PL Champ - Arteta (Arsenal) 2026 PL Coach of the Year - Arteta (Arsenal) 2026 PL Runners Up - Guardiola (City) 2026 Ligue 1 Champ - Enrique (PSG) Spanish Coaching victories (2026) 1x UCL Winner 1x UCL Runner up 1x PL Winner 1x PL COTY 1x PL Winner Runner up 1x Ligue Winner Spain is the best footballing nation on Earth!
İsmail Elsfath the referee tomorrow. Pretty awesome for him. I did see Deschamps make some comments about Barton. We’ve had some miserable games with him reffing as the US but he did just fine here. Pretty sour grapes from Didier.
Never understand why teams start playing not to lose when there is so much time left. There is game management and then there is just not playing to win.
Epic collapse you just felt that something like this was going to happen, with all the Kane controversy
And now ready to be disappointed when Spain lose. I know it’s cliche for an Englishman to harbor negative feelings about the Argentinian football team, but decade after decade they’ve exhibited a distinct lack of sportsmanship. I didn’t see the game today so maybe it was fine, and I’m just being prejudiced. Undeniably talented, utterly dislikable.
I don't buy into the overt conspiracy theories, but when you see that a lot of the shithousing fouls get let go, it benefits the team that wants to play that way.
Actually, you weren't being prejudiced, they were pulling crap from the first kick. If I had been the center, I would have started issuing yellow cards for bulling tactics and tactical fouls early on to send the message that crap wouldn't be allowed. I think a fair game is more important than one that flows freely because the referee swallowed his whistle.
There should have been a yellow given instantly to the player that fouled Spencer from behind with an elbow to the neck. Mind you Rabiot got a yellow card in the 8th minute with the first foul he committed, a late tackle on an earnest attempt on the ball, which changes the whole game against Spain.
as if the English didn't have enough issues already and if the new PM doesn't workout I have someone in mind that might take the job, since he is already an expert on what ails the English National team https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/1uzfzsg/donald_trump_calls_out_englands_defense_on_messi/ https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/1uzf942/donald_trump_calls_out_tuchels_tactics_to_make/
I had nothing better to do so I tuned in to the France/England match at 2-0. WTF is this game‽ Has a lot of their big names out there and they look dreadful. I know it’s the third place game, who gives a shit and it’s a lot of subs for England who are probably playing to prove something, but it’s keystone cops level defending for France. It’s 2025 Galaxy defending. Attack isn’t much better.
That was my favorite moment from this World Cup. Saka scoring a penalty for England. He got a lot of racist shit for missing one so it was nice to see. Jude handing it over to him and Kane coming up to celebrate was icing on the cake.