Football (World Cup 26)

[steviewevie]

Good game this 

[Punksnotdead]

Spain should be out of sight. I don't think they're much cop up front - always one too many touches/passes. Trying to walk it into the net.

[Punksnotdead]

Typed too soon!

[steviewevie]

Felt like a matter of time, just took one mistake.

Come on Belgium.

[steviewevie]

Best side win. France v Spain is super sexy 

[Skip997]

7 minutes ago, steviewevie said:

Best side win. France v Spain is super sexy 

Should be the final 

[steviewevie]

4 minutes ago, Skip997 said:

Should be the final 

Obviously that will be France v England 

[charlierc]

8 hours ago, Skip997 said:

Should be the final 

Eh. I think at this stage you want big blockbuster contests all the way. But that's just the luck of the draw with this game being when it is. 

 

Having said that, it did just make me think what if that Brazil v Germany semi at the 2014 WC had been the final. That game was already remarkable but the idea of it being a final would've been proper insane. 

[Skip997]

[lost]

12 hours ago, steviewevie said:

 just took one mistake.

 

People blaming Courtois getting injured but he did exactly the same thing twice in the first half palming the ball back into danger but got away with it.

 

Felt Belgium probably performed above PAR this tournament. Lukaku clearly not fit and looked overweight. Sort of the opposite when Martinez was in charge when you felt they were under PAR all the time.

 

 

[charlierc]

6 minutes ago, Skip997 said:

Seeing as England have failed to lose so far, tempted to say the good luck charm has posted. 

[charlierc]

2 minutes ago, lost said:

 

People blaming Courtois getting injured but he did exactly the same thing twice in the first half palming the ball back into danger but got away with it.

 

Felt Belgium probably performed above PAR this tournament. Lukaku clearly not fit and looked overweight. Sort of the opposite when Martinez was in charge when you felt they were under PAR all the time.

 

 

Spain's first goal was also the result of Courtois failing to deal with a shot on goal and palming it to a Spanish player. Lammens is obviously the more consequential given it was right at the end and lead to Merino's winner, but both of Spain's goals were caused by keeper errors.

 

Lukaku played less than a full 90 minutes of football in the season just gone in Italy, so it makes sense his fitness was still a work in progress. Though at one point I thought Belgium were on for a group stage exit so a last 8 was respectable. I'd doubt that wisdom though given Belgium got to the semis under Martinez in 2018 by beating Japan and Brazil, in comparison to his predecessor seeing them lose to Wales at Euro 2016.

[lost]

8 minutes ago, charlierc said:

I'd doubt that wisdom though given Belgium got to the semis under Martinez in 2018 by beating Japan and Brazil, in comparison to his predecessor seeing them lose to Wales at Euro 2016.

 

I could be wrong but I think they were ranked number 1 in the world for some of that period. 

[pink_triangle]

Similar to last game I think England V Norway will be decided on squad strength. I think only 2 (3 at a push) Norway players make the England squad. 

[steviewevie]

I think tonight's game will be decided by who scores the most goals.

[charlierc]

1 hour ago, steviewevie said:

I think tonight's game will be decided by who scores the most goals.

Hi Michael Owen.

[steviewevie]

We're f**ked with that lineup. 

QED

[Crazyfool01]

England 2 Norway 0 

[Crazyfool01]

Why Harry why ffs 😞 

[steviewevie]

They have to do something about Haaland, simple as that.

[steviewevie]

sh*t anthem 

[charlierc]

I'm just waiting to see what misfortune befells Konsa given right back for England seems to have a similar career longevity as drummer in Spinal Tap. 

[steviewevie]

Score you twats!

[charlierc]

Stars so far are saying no shots by either side. 

 

So there's room for this game to get better. 

[Punksnotdead]

Norway are so bang average for a team in the quarters. If England can't beat these they don't deserve to be in the conversation for the winners!