I think You can't really judge them on the first match, but I thought despite the really early pen and Red Card, I thought Colombia looked good against Japan. I thought they were unlucky not to get anything from that game. They battered Poland and looked brilliant. One of the best performances so far. Then I thought they looked very poor against Senegal, and Senegal got robbed because they just wasted so many of their chances. I don't know what to make of them, but I think they could hurt us. Especially if Rodrigues is fit. Quintero looks fantastic. Their 2 CBs look really good. Mina is a beast, and a threat in both boxes. Don't know how confident I am bout that game. I think I'm on the side of confident we can do it, but haven't got a strong feeling. Totally agree with the challenge Gradient.
That makes 2 of us. That Jos Buttler knock in the 5th ODI v Aus was as good an innings as you could wish for. It's great to see Bairstow and Roy blast it all over but that's one-day opening batting, not cagey, patient, attritional cricket. Bring on India
I can understand your ire at the wholesale changes made by Southgate (and I and several others pretty much agreed with you), but it would appear that it was done for the right reasons. See this comment from Southgate - 'England have their "edge back" at the World Cup following the "love-in" they received before the defeat by Belgium, says manager Gareth Southgate. The loss meant the Three Lions finished second in Group G and now face Colombia in Tuesday's last-16 tie in Moscow. Southgate made eight changes for the Belgium game after thrashing Panama and beating Tunisia in their opening match.' He said: "The most important thing for me is the players are in the best physical condition for the game."
Two massive games - both could be classics. I reckon the French will edge out the Argies but the Uruguay v Portugal game is difficult to call.
I think France will do enough to knock out a really poor Argentina. France have been w**k in this tournament so far. I think they can produce a couple of moments to scrape their way through. Uruguay Portugal is tough, but only because of Ronaldo. I think as a team, Uruguay have more. It's just whether Ronaldo is unstoppable again today.
Pretty good first half and the Argentina goal ........ And Argentina take the lead with a 'fluked' 2nd goal!! And France equalise. FANTASTIC game!!!! France winning 3-2!! BEST game I've seen.
Looks like the end for Messi,great player but a poor team around him. France look a good bet on this show
I’m a big Messi fan, for me he is the best player in the world but he has confused me In this tournament. He looks so dejected all the time, walking around almost uninterested until the ball hits his feet. Also though he showed a rather poor attitude for a national team captain, a lack of encouragement for those lesser players around him, something you cannot say about Ronaldo!
Great game though and France deserved winners, Mbappe obviously a real talent. The first of the so called big teams to really kick into gear and up their performance levels!
