Like Gordon Banks, but in the last minute in the pissing rain to take your team through to the quarters.
What a game, credit to both sides. Netherlands/Turkey is going to be exceptional. And then whoever wins that plays the Swiss, another enticing prospect.
Lee Dixon – the unthinking summariser – said it was just like Gordon Banks. It wasn’t, it was better
No, Banks was better. As a last minute action to win the game, Mert’s was a bigger save undoubtedly, Banks meant a 1-0 loss wasn’t a 2-0. But Banks was further away as a starting position, the ball was lower and more in the corner – the only thing Banks had that was ‘easier’ was because of where the play was (Banks at near post, Pele at far) the ball could only really ever go to his right. Mert couldn’t commit because the header could have gone either way.
Yep, the quality has fallen off the back of the truck. Hugely athletic but no idea where the ‘net is. I’m ancient enough to remember the French 1984 team – they were something.
so much fannying about on PKs; no-one takes a shot in open play or even a free kick like that. Just put the ball down, run up, kick it in the corner. All this stuttering and stopping shite.
Maybe international football is shite and Binners was right all along. Combination of tournament football, fear of losing and players knackered after long seasons to blame? Looking forward to the return of the domestic leagues and the Champions League.
The problem with international football is the players are knackered and would rather be on the beach. But if you don’t elect to support one of the big and successful clubs then supporting your country is the next best thing. Plus it’s not pay walled.
Yeah, not really enjoying this tournament, bar watching Spain, thought Portugal worked the ball well but Ronaldo is just not at it anymore, was a man down for large spells of the game with him up front, as for France, they just have so much talent but struggle to take control of the game, thought Mbappe was a bit rubbish, can’t believe he got subbed instead of staying on for that last 15 minutes, not even sure how he’s captain ahead of others in that team.
Well I did mention the Greece win in 2004 as a template for limited quantity and which bored it’s way to title but England and France are certainly giving them a run for their money.
That was exactly my thoughts on watching another absolutely awful France performance that they somehow managed to win. They’re going to do a Greece and bore their way to another title.
They even made a turgid England look expansive and creative. Can you imagine how awful a France v England game would be? Footballing Mogadon
Southgate doing his utmost to prove Einstein right again
At least playing our creative players in better positions – risky to change the system that (results say) have worked but maybe it will enable the best to come out of them.
not a discouraging start, to be fair, Foden on the ball in central areas far more often already. It would be brave from the start but Trippier’s right footedness is an issue, Gordon in that role is a different proposition, same as Saka has been on the right.