I've found the group games good, enjoyed them, but it's gone downhill since the knockouts. Every damn game is memorable because of officiating / cheating / shithouse tactics more than actual great football. France is the only truly skilled team.
I know this won't be a popular opinion, but I suspect England are done. Two grueling games in the heat and altitude against very capable opponents would take the legs out of any team. TBH, I haven't been able to watch much of the WC due to the fact that we are traveling in NE Canada and have lacked connectivity since crossing the border. Beautiful country and people though. But from what I have seen, I agree with Sam. (did I just say that???)
Maybe, but I think Argentina are also done. They’ve struggled in every game except Algeria and Jordan. Sure they’ve managed to win all those games, some in extra time, but Cape Verde and Egypt gave them trouble and I do wonder if the Swiss might have done the same if Embolo had behaved himself. You can’t argue with results but England will be the sternest test they’ll have faced so far and England are a well organized side, even their subs are pretty decent. Mind you what Madueke is doing on that side is a mystery, but I can’t help feeling that Bellingham, Kane and Gordon are hitting form at the right time. If Rice gets the R&R he needs before the semi, Argentina are going to find it very hard to break them down.
A little taste of wonderful Canadian air has cleared the nonsense from your brain cells. Agree with the comments about England being gassed. They have to recover for the semi on Wednesday, not enough time for them as a unit and Rice in particular. (Mind you, running him and Saka into the ground ....)
The Mexican match was prolly Englands best. The altitude, the heat against a home team that considered it their fortress. The Norway game was more against the conditions, for both teams but after climbing down from the Azteca mountain they were beat. Bellingham was spent and looked it in Mexico. But was still the outstanding player of both games. I’m not positive about their chances with the Argies though. Interesting that they chose that thug Simeone as their manager.
But then we have the PK that was given but not. The the foul on Kane that Gave Norway their goal. The push from the blob that denied Norway a goal. in all a pretty unsettling match. Norway played for ET, that didn’t go well for them.
Son is in the squad; obviously he has connections, but he (and family) are just fans. Not ordinary ones, but fans.
Son is in the squad; obviously he has connections, but he (and family) are just fans. Not ordinary ones, but fans.
At this point I've got Messi and the Argies against Mbappe and the Froggies in the final, with the Froggies taking the trophy. Watch me be completely wrong here.
I think what he means is Simeone"s Son is in the squad; obviously he has connections, but he (and family) are just fans. Not ordinary ones, but fans.
No, that’s about what the book says. If, big if England would take the Argies, I can’t see them beating the auld enemy. We’d need Wellington there. Or Henry V
I guess the ref did not consider Lauturo's goal celebration as technically jumping into the crowd, he did scale the barrier. If so he should have received a yellow which would have been his second, hence a suspension. Fans are just grasping at anything to gain an edge.
The only way I can see France being beaten this world cup is if Spain's incessant passing bores them to death...or if a ball hits the camera wire, or a chip doesn't work, or if var doesn't see a foul, or if a bizarre penalty is called against them, or if there is a red card that Trump refuses to overturn... Other than that, France is inevitable.
Infantino is an idiot. Now he's clamoring for a 64 team World Cup. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cj9gm31jwg8o