England expected goals .80 with 73% possession. Fans are not happy. I think they are doomed.
A couple saving graces for England.
1) All the “big” teams have their flaws. Only Spain have been near perfect but their finishing is left wanting at times. France and Holland massively underwhelming. Belgium lost to Slovakia. Germany almost finished second in their group. I don’t think anyone is unbeatable.
2) Once again, somehow England have ended up with a favourable half of the draw. Holland, Italy and Austria look the best in their half, but they have avoided Germany, Spain, France and Portugal, potentially Belgium depending on their final group game tomorrow.
Plenty wrong with England so far, but they’ve ended up topping their group with the only goal they’ve conceded a long range screamer.
Holland game Monday morning is very interesting. Could easily be curtains for England or they finally kick start their tournament then and there.
1) All the “big” teams have their flaws. Only Spain have been near perfect but their finishing is left wanting at times. France and Holland massively underwhelming. Belgium lost to Slovakia. Germany almost finished second in their group. I don’t think anyone is unbeatable.
2) Once again, somehow England have ended up with a favourable half of the draw. Holland, Italy and Austria look the best in their half, but they have avoided Germany, Spain, France and Portugal, potentially Belgium depending on their final group game tomorrow.
Plenty wrong with England so far, but they’ve ended up topping their group with the only goal they’ve conceded a long range screamer.
Holland game Monday morning is very interesting. Could easily be curtains for England or they finally kick start their tournament then and there.
Three for me, and two for them.
Also that Lewandowski penalty is a load of bollocks. Shouldn’t be allowed that run up, or the rules against keepers should be relaxed.
Most of all should actually be punished for pissing about and not putting your foot through it.
Most of all should actually be punished for pissing about and not putting your foot through it.
Three for me, and two for them.
Performance poor again but somehow we've gone through top of the group with the only goal conceded being a long range screamer and with most of the traditional "big" teams on the other side of the draw. Tournament feels wide open from here. Portugal won the tournament with 6 draws so there's still hope as long as you're in I guess.
Can only beat who you play and as you say, reward for winning the group is playing a team who didn't win their's, and when 3rd place teams get through too that often won't be a "bigger" name. It's a kind looking draw looking at some of the names, although still the QF looks likely to be the defending champion who beat us in the final last time and who always beat us in these tournaments, then potentially Netherlands another team who are always there or thereabouts and have history of winning this thing. They are the other team who always lose on penalties so thought that's where the 2nd round match was heading before this morning's results changed the draw. Had fun sending a Dutch friend highlights of the Euro 96 game yesterday (my first football memory) thinking we were playing each other.
I guess there's more to it than paper rankings and history though. Austria won a group with France and Netherlands in it so maybe they aren't "easy" even though they've never been a top team. Belgium had an "easy" looking group with two teams outside the top 40 and still didn't win it. Think I read France are the first team ever to get through without one of their own players scoring a goal in open play (they've only scored an own goal and a penalty in 3 games).
Think it's pretty wide open from here with only really Spain not having any struggles so far. Could be a blockbuster QF against the host.
I guess there's more to it than paper rankings and history though. Austria won a group with France and Netherlands in it so maybe they aren't "easy" even though they've never been a top team. Belgium had an "easy" looking group with two teams outside the top 40 and still didn't win it. Think I read France are the first team ever to get through without one of their own players scoring a goal in open play (they've only scored an own goal and a penalty in 3 games).
Think it's pretty wide open from here with only really Spain not having any struggles so far. Could be a blockbuster QF against the host.
England out in the quarters yet again. They might have won their group but really? 0-0, 1-0, 0-0 - Hardly inspiring.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
England out in the quarters yet again. They might have won their group but really? 0-0, 1-0, 0-0 - Hardly inspiring.
Not inspiring at all, in fact the football has been rancid. But still performed better than France, Belgium, Italy and Holland in the group stage.
Ajc is right, it’s a wide open tournament.
Three for me, and two for them.
I thought Italy looked quite good, but were just Italian about leaving it late. They attacked and moved the ball very with ease.
Spain struggled against themselves to put away the overwhelming wealth of goal scoring opportunities they created!
Someone made the case that England had qualified with the lowest xG against and the furthest distance of average shot against to say they were keeping their opponents out and were defensively strong, even if they didn’t know their best attacking team. It’s hard to see a team that has both Bellingham and Foden in advanced positions clicking. They just get in each others way.
They need someone, probably Gordon offering pace and width on the left and Saka on form on the right. And Kane and Bellingham in the box or making runs for the delivery. Or more tinkering and try Foden on the right for Saka, keeping him as an impact sub. Which makes more sense as Walker can overlap and he can turn inside if he wants.
I’d be tempted to try Walker LB and TAA RB, but that’s unlikely to happen.
Spain struggled against themselves to put away the overwhelming wealth of goal scoring opportunities they created!
Someone made the case that England had qualified with the lowest xG against and the furthest distance of average shot against to say they were keeping their opponents out and were defensively strong, even if they didn’t know their best attacking team. It’s hard to see a team that has both Bellingham and Foden in advanced positions clicking. They just get in each others way.
They need someone, probably Gordon offering pace and width on the left and Saka on form on the right. And Kane and Bellingham in the box or making runs for the delivery. Or more tinkering and try Foden on the right for Saka, keeping him as an impact sub. Which makes more sense as Walker can overlap and he can turn inside if he wants.
I’d be tempted to try Walker LB and TAA RB, but that’s unlikely to happen.
Some of the goalkeeping in this tournament has been incredible. Not surprising alot of the games are very close score wise.
Donnarumma for Italy and Raya for Spain have made some amazing saves. Italy are going to be hard to beat, especially with there knack of scoring late. Spain on group stage form favourites to go all the way. And I reckon Germany being the host nation will be there or there about.
Donnarumma for Italy and Raya for Spain have made some amazing saves. Italy are going to be hard to beat, especially with there knack of scoring late. Spain on group stage form favourites to go all the way. And I reckon Germany being the host nation will be there or there about.
Well can't say I'm too surprised that Italy lost to Switzerland.
Nor me, they’ve been sharke all tournament.
Germany incredibly lucky to be in front against the Danes at the moment.
Not sure they're lucky to be ahead. They've been very solid against a motivated Danish side. If anything, Denmark are unlucky not to have at least scores once
So many goals chalked off for offside. Must be a record. Sorry to see the Danes go. Hard to see Germany not winning it from here.
Danish coach pretty pissed after the game called all VAR decisions against Denmark ‘ridiculous’ and implied that the technology could be wrong. But totally forgot the first goal VAR chalked off for a contact.
Also regardless of those decisions they completely gave up for Germany’s second goal. Practically laid out the red carpet for Musiala to walk on through and finish.
Three for me, and two for them.
I didn’t watch the game so not sure if the commentators mentioned it, but apparently the reason some of the Danish players were so insistent the game needed to be paused during the storm was that one of their compatriots got hit by lightning in a game in 2009 and had to have a leg amputated. What are the chances.
https://amp.theguardian.com/football/2009/sep/01/jonathan-richter-lightning-strike
https://amp.theguardian.com/football/2009/sep/01/jonathan-richter-lightning-strike
England need to wear red.
Austria, Switzerland, Denmark played well…
They’ve all exceeded expectations.
England trot out their red strip not a problem!
Always think Italy are going to do it late. But then I’ve never watched them fail to qualify for WCs, more their winning runs and bountiful seasons.
Austria, Switzerland, Denmark played well…
They’ve all exceeded expectations.
England trot out their red strip not a problem!
Always think Italy are going to do it late. But then I’ve never watched them fail to qualify for WCs, more their winning runs and bountiful seasons.
England need to wear red.
Austria, Switzerland, Denmark played well…
They’ve all exceeded expectations.
England trot out their red strip not a problem!
Austria, Switzerland, Denmark played well…
They’ve all exceeded expectations.
England trot out their red strip not a problem!
England might get passed Slovakia tomorrow, but if its a limp assed 1-0 then they'll have convinced noone that they are heading for the final.
Queenslander 3x a year.
England need to wear red.
Austria, Switzerland, Denmark played well…
They’ve all exceeded expectations.
England trot out their red strip not a problem!
Austria, Switzerland, Denmark played well…
They’ve all exceeded expectations.
England trot out their red strip not a problem!
England might get passed Slovakia tomorrow, but if its a limp assed 1-0 then they'll have convinced noone that they are heading for the final.
There’s an outside chance they might accidentally line up as a functional team!
Stayin alive… ah ah ah ah… stayin aliiiiive!
England need to wear red.
Austria, Switzerland, Denmark played well…
They’ve all exceeded expectations.
England trot out their red strip not a problem!
Austria, Switzerland, Denmark played well…
They’ve all exceeded expectations.
England trot out their red strip not a problem!
England might get passed Slovakia tomorrow, but if its a limp assed 1-0 then they'll have convinced noone that they are heading for the final.
Well, it’s not going to be a weak 1-0!
Extra time here we go…
Bellingham.
Special.
England are alive folks.
Special.
England are alive folks.
England need to wear red.
Austria, Switzerland, Denmark played well…
They’ve all exceeded expectations.
England trot out their red strip not a problem!
Austria, Switzerland, Denmark played well…
They’ve all exceeded expectations.
England trot out their red strip not a problem!
England might get passed Slovakia tomorrow, but if its a limp assed 1-0 then they'll have convinced noone that they are heading for the final.
Well, it’s not going to be a weak 1-0!
Extra time here we go…
Great strike from Bellingham to save England's blushes and then Kane steps up and gets an easy header to take the lead. Very very lucky.
Georgia leading Spain who have conceded their first goal in the tournament this game! Spain have all the possession but cant do anything with it.
Can't see England beating the Swiss who beat Italy!
Queenslander 3x a year.
Mainoo with another class performance.
The commentators who were calling for Trent to come on with 5 minutes to go at 1-0 down should probably consider retiring.
Southgate has made a career of easy, inoffensive decisions. But he now has to make some tough ones to find a balanced team. That probably means one, if not two, of Bellingham/Foden/Kane/Saka should be on the bench against the Swiss.
The commentators who were calling for Trent to come on with 5 minutes to go at 1-0 down should probably consider retiring.
Southgate has made a career of easy, inoffensive decisions. But he now has to make some tough ones to find a balanced team. That probably means one, if not two, of Bellingham/Foden/Kane/Saka should be on the bench against the Swiss.
Georgians on the counter attack are so dangerous!
Spanish look good with the ball but if they lose it they look slow chasing the Georgian break away.
Spanish look good with the ball but if they lose it they look slow chasing the Georgian break away.
Queenslander 3x a year.
Spain 2-1, nice play from the free kick managed to find the free man at the back post. Can they hold on to the lead.
Queenslander 3x a year.
4-1 to Spain, they've done what is necessary against a tiring Georgian side who must be hating the fact they only had 4 days between games and the Spanish first XI have had 9 days as most of them didnt play against Albania.
Queenslander 3x a year.
Germany will do well to stop Spain in that form. What a quarter final that will be.
Three for me, and two for them.
Germany will do well to stop Spain in that form. What a quarter final that will be.
definitely the game to watch so far! although I'll probably force myself to watch the England/Swiss game just to cheer the Swiss on!
Queenslander 3x a year.
Georgia were a breath of fresh air
Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet
One thing I love about watching Spain is they have wingers who actually like to take their man on. So much more exciting than seeing someone get the ball out wide, feint three times, cut back inside and recycle possession with a five yard pass.
Three for me, and two for them.
Southgate is so jammy, he rides the luck and gets it. Uninspiring crap in 4 games and into the quarter they go. A mishark shot that was going miles wide, finds the head of a wide player and back across for perennial non trophy winner Kane to score. Talk about jammy.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
Ian Wright and Big Ange both spot on in punditry about the current offside rule. Chalking goals off because half a kneecap is off is a nonsense.
The game is about goals being scored, not forensically searching for a reason to rule them out.
The game is about goals being scored, not forensically searching for a reason to rule them out.
This is silly take; you're either arguing that (a) VAR shouldn't review offside rules at all (and it's entirely on the assistant) or (b) you want to introduce subjectivity to an objective rule, which will result in even more controversy.
VAR's biggest issue is subjective rules that were excusable when a human was ruling in real time lead to inconsistency and controversy when reviewed by a camera in slow motion. We need more objective rules, not less.
Georgia were a breath of fresh air
Considering their win against Portugal and how strong they have looked during these Euros, it would be good to have another friendly against them. Times have well and truly changed since we beat them 3-1 back in 2006.
Southgate is so jammy, he rides the luck and gets it. Uninspiring crap in 4 games and into the quarter they go. A mishark shot that was going miles wide, finds the head of a wide player and back across for perennial non trophy winner Kane to score. Talk about jammy.
To be fair Kane put an open head in a great position wide, Foden was inexplicably offside for an otherwise easy tap in and wasted a couple of shooting free kicks and Rice crashed a shot against the post. They’d created a few chances. Ball speed is still much to slow, but they were attacking.
The point about wingers is well made- Gordon and Saka have been that kind of winger at times. Gordon decided to attempt to take a selfie while going downhill on a bike and Saka looks exhausted. I think the only other player who’s dribbled past players has been Mainoo?
I don’t think you can say Bellingham’s goal was that flukey. Southgate’s perhaps even entitled to ask for a bit more from him, but he’d left him on and the chance came. Similarly Toney was a good sub, and the way the commentators went on and on about how good and physical he was suggests Kane is not the force he was. All football requires a bit of luck!
Disappointing they couldn’t push for a third. And yep Slovakia were unlucky because they almost created a beauty of a goal.