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Spain are too good with the ball. Death by a thousand cuts. If England win tomorrow - big if - they need to go direct, they can’t compete going tiki taki.
France didn't help themselves, their passing after the Spanish goal was awful. I know Spain press extremely well but even so, they created nothing.
It was noticeable even in stoppage tone they had a break down the left and no one was gambling on a cross it was too easy for Spain.
I think Argentina if they get through will make it harder for Spain than England cos they'll employ the dark arts better.
Very impressive by Spain. When they're good, they're very good, but they aren't always, they can blow a bit hot and cold.
This is the same team that drew with Cape Verde and struggled to get past a very poor Uruguay, and then hardly dominated against Portugal or Belgium either, needing late goals and GK errors. Anyone that thinks they're unbeatable based on solely what their best looks like is telling half a story.
And France looked like they'd taken Bastille Day public holiday literally, enabling Spain to look very very good. There was also a lot made of how Spain dominated the midfield - no shit, when you include 4 players who all want to run forward and not back of course you'll concede the middle. I thought Deschamps was far too slow to take one off (Olise) and whaddya know, after that they had a load more possession even if they were chasing the game by then. Tuchel wouldn't make the same mistake if he gets the chance.
Despite the media blowing smoke up Spain's rear end, that performance was as much about France being woeful than Spain being brilliant (which I don't think they were). We beat Argentina and I reckon we're in with a decent chance of winning the thing...
I want three England team to play dirty against Argentina.
From the excellent Barney Ronay on tonight’s match.
Argentina have at least half a team’s worth of players with a thirst for confrontation. High-stakes VAR screen debacle anyone? A third-minute 50/50 with Cristian Romero? Emi Martínez in a penalty shootout against England? Never mind shithousery. Expect a shitmansion, a shitpalace.
I want three England team to play dirty against Argentina.
Well, yes, having three teams is cheating quite a bit.
Yes France were really poor.
Not sure what has gone on, they were the team of the tournament and then they just didn't show up. It genuinely looked like they could be bothered for most of the game, a Gallic Shrug in football form.
Not sure what has gone on, they were the team of the tournament and then they just didn't show up. It genuinely looked like they could be bothered for most of the game, a Gallic Shrug in football form.
Just a conflict of styles I think – Spain were quite happy to pass around at the back (sometimes turning around and passing back when it looked like the press was on), and France didn't have the answer. I am sure they were expecting a very different approach to the game than what unfolded. Even when France were falling to pieces, and it seemed Spain could press on, they stuck to their plan.
Spain are France's bogie team. Since 2012 their record is 5-1 against France.
The World Cup should be the pinnacle of football, where the best theoretical international teams should be able to reach the finals, rather than this "leftie woke" nonsense of equally spreading out how many countries can qualify from each continent/zone.
In what world is Italy not currently in the top 48, for example?
Given tonight is in an air conditioned stadium, if everyone in the starting England 11 turns up and is actually fit (how Rice started last game looked very questionable), I think we can push Argentina all the way... But I reckon Messi will outsmart our defenders at least once in his first ever game against England, so our wingers and strikers need to have a great game for us to have a bucket of vindaloo.
Spain were fantastic, that midfield trio of Olmo, Ruiz and Rodri is just a class above France's. Doesn't matter how talented your forwards are, if you can't compete with that midfield you won't beat Spain.
They're so clever and assured in every area of the pitch, I thought they were a joy to watch. Possibly better than their 2010 squad? Imagine what they'd be like with a Fernando Torres-type striker!
Tonight's teams are playing for the 2026 runners-up spot.
Spain aren't all that - yes they dominated the French, but up until the pen France could string passes together. When that went in they looked shell shocked.
Deschamps didn't change things to let them get a grip on the game & the Spanish keeper has a red card in him.
Tonight is going to be horrible to watch, there's going to be a lot of needle & I hope Bellingham (or anyone else, I only mention him as he is clearly fired up & plays with a lot of passion, hopefully his mum will have another word) doesn't get goaded into doing something stupid.
I think Spain will probably win it, but they've not had to scrap or fight to get to the final, so given England & Argentina have, either one could take Spain down.
Spain played Uruguay a couple of weeks ago, as shithousery a side as Paraguay: Nico Williams left limping and Yéremy Pino departed with his arm in a sling. So yes they were in a battle.
I've been impressed with Tuchel on the whole but starting Rice immediately after a tummy bug in a game played in hot humid conditions was an obvious error and I thought Rogers should have been introduced much earlier than he was last game....his outside the box shots have worked all season....but I am biased on that front. Hoping the balance is right tonight and think a fit/returning to form Saka could give that. If Rice isn't 100% Anderson is in such good form that we don't need a second holding mid - go for the win with Rogers in there too!
I think Rice has been left overnight in a bowl of dry mobile phones in the hope he'll just start being fully fit again.
I'd like an England midfielder and a STW editor to start a podcast reviewing small glasses of beer, called Half Rice, Half Chipps.
As expected, the Argies are playing dirty already.
Schadenfreude if Messi had his ankle snapped ending his career.
Ref is at risk of losing control here.
So are England. Booing their anthem and falling all over the place.
Someone is going to get sent off….
The ref needs to get a grip on this Argentine shithousery. It’s ridiculous already
Someone is going to get sent off….
You be need a ref who blows his whistle for that....
So are England. Booing their anthem
Pretty sure that was precipitated by Argentinan fans booing ours?
Great match so far. Mebbes not one for the purists.
Did Messi have a Beckhamesque little kick out there?
Finally a card for the Argies
Nice work from Princess Diana
Is the pitch sodden....?
The number of slips.....
Bugger....
Goal from Gripper Stebson.
Well, on the positive side I wanted an early night anyways.....
Yeah i heard some cheering(Glasgow) and flipped on bbc to find Argentina had scored.
Well that explains the cheering.
Team that can't defend parks the bus with predictable results.
Can't wait for the bronze final.
Can both teams just agree to bring snacks, have a brief kick about and then a picnic?
Yep, the Argentinian manager got it just right.
Tuchel did a Southgate and froze.
C'est la vie 🤷♂️
Yeah i heard some cheering(Glasgow) a
Bit sad
Messi won the second half. 2 assists and drew the defenders. 1 way traffic as England dropped further and further back.
Spain will win it though.
Completely outplayed from the moment we scored and tried to shut everything down. The best team won.
As per the title, no-one cares anyway. I'm boycotting it.
Tuchel got this one wrong, no way we could defend for 35min against the Argies
All of the defenders are running on to the pitch, they think it's all over.
It is now.
Best team won.
We’re not capable of defending for that amount of time.
