3loudboys
G.O.A.T.
Cancelled out Sakas excellent second - Sterling the creator.
Federer and Del Potro
Talk Tennis Guru
I thought Iran was supposed to be good? They look almost as bad as Qatar.
optic yellow
Hall of Fame
England are going to win this one, I just feel it deeply in my soul. There is no more appropriate champion for this edition of the World Cup. It is similar to how both the LA Lakers and the LA Dodgers won their only recent championships in shortened COVID bubble years.
3loudboys
G.O.A.T.
6-2 is a joke - delighted this side of the pond but there will be tougher challenges than today. Should give the manager and players a big confidence boost ahead of the next.
Scary thing could of been 8 or 9.
optic yellow
Hall of Fame
I mean I think the lads all love playing for Harry Kane.
Feña14
Legend
Agree about England being slow and timid usually, today seemed very different though. There was bravery, kept the ball well, had runners off from Kane, weren’t afraid to show a bit of creativity. By England standards? That was a top notch performance.
It’s the formation and the personnel I wanted to see leading into the tournament, although I did have Foden over Saka, but you can’t really go wrong with either.
It was the midfield that impressed me most. Bellingham and Mount as number 8’s was a great move, they’re intelligent players who can create, score, win the ball back quickly and have that un-English knack of being able to find space and receive the ball in any situation. It’s no KDB and Silva at Man City, but it’s nice to see us giving it a go.
I think good teams will have a field day with the defence, but England should be able to cause problems of their own. They won’t come close to winning it, but it looks like they’ll be going about trying to in a positive way. Can’t be too mad about that.
I still think that the best England can do is to reach the quarter-finals and lose to Argentina (if we finish 2nd in the group) or France (if we win it). But then again in France's case there's a tendency for defending champions to play poorly in the next World Cup (with 4 of the last 5 defending champions losing in the group stage and Brazil in 2006 looking pretty underwhelming).
Before then, I don't think we can underestimate the USA or Wales in our group.
USA, while I didn't think they were particularly amazing during CONCACAF qualifying, failing to beat Canada and suffering their 10th consecutive defeat away to Costa Rica in a qualification match, can be very dangerous and have an impressive midfield. I've thought that both England and USA could be held back by their managers as I don't rate Gregg Berhalter but I do rate many of the players and young players at his disposal. And in a battle of Britain against Wales, anything could happen (England were terrible against Scotland at the Euros last year).
Before then, I don't think we can underestimate the USA or Wales in our group.
USA, while I didn't think they were particularly amazing during CONCACAF qualifying, failing to beat Canada and suffering their 10th consecutive defeat away to Costa Rica in a qualification match, can be very dangerous and have an impressive midfield. I've thought that both England and USA could be held back by their managers as I don't rate Gregg Berhalter but I do rate many of the players and young players at his disposal. And in a battle of Britain against Wales, anything could happen (England were terrible against Scotland at the Euros last year).
optic yellow
Hall of Fame
Do they not have a good defensive midfielder?
Until the goal it was slow stuff, but it did pick up when Iran had to come out and try and play a bit more. It was an England performance more akin to the last World Cup, when they were a bit more aggressive and fun generally, but I think that's just a product of playing weaker opposition. If Iran had to play in Euro qualifiers they would be a pot 4/5 team on the evidence of today - I don't think any more can be read into this game than England beating Albania 5-0 in qualifying, for instance.
Feña14
Legend
Declan Rice. Some people think he’s one of the best around, others don’t rate him at all
I quite like him, personally. Reminds me of a poor man’s Rodri. Stylistically anyway, he doesn’t have the same quality as Rodri, but I’m not sure many do.
Rice holding with 2 number 8’s looked really nice today. Anything that gives Bellingham more freedom is good by me, he’s wasted in a holding pair imo.
MurraysMetalHip
Hall of Fame
England’s defence is a worry. Sieve-like.
3loudboys
G.O.A.T.
Ironically Maguire was one of the better performers after all the criticism and lack of matches.
Bhagi Katbamna
Legend
LGBTQ+ groups condemn Fifa over OneLove armband sanctions threat
Campaigners hit out after teams including England and Wales say players will not wear armband at World Cup in Qatar
www.theguardian.com
Well, that virtue signal is over rather quickly.
Good teams always look unbeatable playing against mediocre teams.
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MurraysMetalHip
Hall of Fame
Absolutely. Iranian players and fans protest against the regime despite the legitimate risk of death. Yet England footballers cave in under threat of a yellow card. Disgusting and pathetic.LGBTQ+ groups condemn Fifa over OneLove armband sanctions threat
Campaigners hit out after teams including England and Wales say players will not wear armband at World Cup in Qatar
Well, that virtue signal is over rather quickly.
Good teams always look unbeatable playing against mediocre teams.
Bhagi Katbamna
Legend
So it tells you how important showing those arm bands really are to the ones that wear them and the flags when there are no consequences for wearing them. So remember this the next time people start kneeling before games.
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Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
USA USA
Red of Forest or Red of Wales. One thing is always certain. Nico Williams is going to get smoked.
Red of Forest or Red of Wales. One thing is always certain. Nico Williams is going to get smoked.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Goal was lovely with the subtle tin opener and George's Weah's son was there to finish it off.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Looks like I've already made a grave mistake. I thought Timber was guarantee starter all games. Come on, he rejected United for this. I didn't see the game. Anybody knows if he is injured, or have I been misinformed once more? I'm glad Saint Jude got me some points.
Hamnavoe with the early lead.
Hamnavoe with the early lead.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Rob Page is going to show why he hosts our tournaments. Making the changes at half-time. None of the waiting until 65 minute nonsense.
Federer and Del Potro
Talk Tennis Guru
Knew that was coming. Man United have taught me when things look too good to be true, they definitely are.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
I don't know if I would have punched that ball out. The important thing is it was a good punch so no harm done.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Typical Bale looking for more cups so he can lol meme Tottenham once more.
Kralingen
G.O.A.T.
Just for that playa, Harry Kane will drop another 3/10 performance with no shots on target in the final this year
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
I'm a Brazil man this year.
The funniest stat I read was when Saka scored his second, then a picture of Wayne Rooney came up. Saka has already scored more world cup goals than Rooney. All it took was one game.
ffw2
Hall of Fame
Heard he's a piper of sorts.
Federer and Del Potro
Talk Tennis Guru
Yedlin is so useless. USA looked like United against Fulham with all the useless crosses.
1HBHfanatic
Legend
-yup, second half, USA was flat
-they defended too much, and payed for it
-first half i was a bit surpriced for the USA soccer
-2nd half, USA was flat, midfield and forwards were tired, and almost lost it!
-they defended too much, and payed for it
-first half i was a bit surpriced for the USA soccer
-2nd half, USA was flat, midfield and forwards were tired, and almost lost it!
Classic Wales. They're not good, but they've got bluster, make the most of breaks that come and can dig out results. Wales Bale is the only player in the world who can be absolutely rank all game and then randomly get sliced down in the box with little threat of a goal in his first attacking involvement. I expect they'll find a way to do just that little bit more than the US to sneak into the knockouts. I'm expecting a horsing similar to the one Denmark gave them at the Euros if they do get through though.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Funny to look at now. Imagine Ronaldo in there and we got 81 crosses. He'd be feasting and he'd probably be willing to look past the infrastructure. Do we even make 40 crosses a season now? Timing is everything. hahaYedlin is so useless. USA looked like United against Fulham with all the useless crosses.
Don't lose hope. Still all to play for.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Wales is the living version of ''getting football managered.'' Only on football manager, it does take the p a little more when you have 6 xg vs 0xg, but it's still 0-0 when they get their sneaky corner in the 90th minute. And we know what happens next.
Technology Ruined Tennis
Professional
What does the data say regarding which sport is gaining the most from any post-CTE exodus of [American] football? The first wave of kids would now be teenagers, if American soccer didn't suffer from the same 'pay to play' system that has killed American tennis they would be a legit WC threat by the 2030s. (they still might be just on, population + wealth, alone)
Imagine how insufferable the American soccer hipsters would be then...
Imagine how insufferable the American soccer hipsters would be then...
The US were impressive technically but there is a physical gulf between them and the European teams. My club signed a player last January called from Orlando City called Chris Mueller, who had impressed enough in MLS to be capped by the national team twice. However, after coming over he said that in the MLS they didn't do any gym work, which seems bizarre. It showed, too - he had some nice touches and looked a decent footballer but couldn't cope with the physicality and pace in Scotland and was back in the US by the summer.
Wales got back into the game when they added the physical threat of Moore. The US for all their tidy play need more pace and power to transition into being a top team.
Wales got back into the game when they added the physical threat of Moore. The US for all their tidy play need more pace and power to transition into being a top team.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
''Petition for Dion Dublin to host a Qatari special of Homes Under The Hammer, where he analyses the resale value of the 2022 World Cup accommodation.''
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Well, day 1 is over and time to check the fantasy league table. Of course, I'd always love more members playing .but it's kind of poetic to have the same four participants as last year. And with that Rob Page title. It will be fun. Some scary looking teams.
I hope Mexico can reach the knockout stages at an 8th consecutive World Cup, and grab a crucial win vs. Poland today, but I’m not overly optimistic there.
There was also talk of a crisis pre-2014 and then they performed very well there, but they had a much stronger squad back then. This time they’ll sorely miss Corona, Jimenez is barely match fit, and they’ll heavily rely on Lozano who is doing very at Napoli.
This is the worst Mexico team that I’ve seen bar none. They were absolutely hopeless in qualifying (but greatly benefited from playing in a weak confederation) and likewise in their recent friendlies against good quality opponents (Uruguay tore them to shreds). I thought that with their insular attitude, and the lack of Mexican players getting regular minutes at clubs in strong European leagues, that they were at risk of getting left behind by their arch rivals the USA.
There was also talk of a crisis pre-2014 and then they performed very well there, but they had a much stronger squad back then. This time they’ll sorely miss Corona, Jimenez is barely match fit, and they’ll heavily rely on Lozano who is doing very at Napoli.
This is the worst Mexico team that I’ve seen bar none. They were absolutely hopeless in qualifying (but greatly benefited from playing in a weak confederation) and likewise in their recent friendlies against good quality opponents (Uruguay tore them to shreds). I thought that with their insular attitude, and the lack of Mexican players getting regular minutes at clubs in strong European leagues, that they were at risk of getting left behind by their arch rivals the USA.
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
Huge upset, Saudi Arabia defeat the favourites Argentina. 2-1.
Aussie Darcy
Bionic Poster
Tennis meets Football.
Diego Schwartzman from Argentina shown in the moments after the final whistle in the crowd, absolutely stunned his country lost.
Diego Schwartzman from Argentina shown in the moments after the final whistle in the crowd, absolutely stunned his country lost.