penguin

Who’d have thought the only points Japan would drop in this group would be against the whipping boys, Costa Rica.

Such a likeable team as well.

Spain and Japan just going through the motions now

4-2 Germany now

Great move but awful finish by Olmo there 

1 minute ago, avfc1982am said:

So I was incorrect. Spainn only need to draw for Germany to go through. Shit.

Edit: I just looked at the table again and get it

What Spain would give for a prime Torres or Villa now

Spain and Germany going home from this group would be incredible.

Cowardly football from the first whistle from Poland. Saudi Arabia showed the game-plan and you have to be brave, play a highline and condense the midfield and don't give them and Messi time on the ball, Poland have just sat deep and let them play.

Poland have to change the strategy here, it’s like a training game.

Farcical decision to award that. Justice.

Poland approaching the game thr polar opposite to how Saudi Arabia did. Low block everyone behind the ball and Lewandowski is hopelessly isolated, just feels like a matter of time before Argentina score if they keep surrendering all impetus to them like this.

5 minutes ago, tomav84 said:

but if he hadn't been there, the player would've left it to go off for a goal kick. so him being there forced him into an action. and as he was offside, the goal shouldn't have stood

Where was the opportunity to leave that for a GK?

An onside French player challenges for the ball and it lands at a now well onside Griezmann, that’s what I’m seeing anyway.

Feels like the interpretation of the rules changes every 5 minutes at the moment. Should have stood for me

7 minutes ago, Johnnyp said:

Off topic but need this sorting once and for all ( for me ) Is Holland a derogatory and offensive term ? Is the Netherlands the correct way to refer to the country ? 

It isn’t derogatory but it is incorrect, Netherlands is the correct name for the entire country. 

Holland only is a region but for whatever reason over time was also used to refer to the country as a whole, the name change (to the official country name) was a step away from this.

Kalvin Phillips should be nowhere near the England side, he played about 2 minutes of football this season?

Maguire probably feels like action man making these bursts forward but all he accomplishes is occupying better players space and getting in the way.

Literally no point in Henderson being on the pitch whatsoever, look at the positions he’s taking up. Makes 100% more sense for Gallagher or Grealish to be on instead.

3 minutes ago, MachoFantastico said:

England haven't been great but Wales have been nonexistent so far. 

They have but to be fair England are doing the equivalent of parking the bus but with the ball, 80% possession so far.

To clarify, possession for possessions sake - Extreme low risk, sideways and backwards football.

**** off Maguire

5 minutes ago, Django_Zooms said:

Please consider that this is a tournament group match. England only have to retain control, save energy, seize upon chances & slowly squeeze Wales to death. 

Are you suggesting the style today is different to how we usually play under Southgate?

England are just a talent-laden Burnley, so little invention in anything we do. Just a robotic plodding style with our main “threat” being the set-piece or hoping that eventually one of the numerous crosses, or the balls in behind for Rashfords pace pays off.

Jenas 

Still not sure if there’s contact, GK gathers it with ease if he’s not there but think it’ll end up as Fernandes’

Wouldn’t it just be the way of the footballing gods with so many people saying it’s Argentina’s year and Ronaldo seemingly finally out to pasture, for Portugal to win the World Cup.