Also got to say, no team is really staking a claim so far. Difficult to call a winner at this stage. If England can start playing they have every chance!
Is there a better out-ball option in football than Lukaku? When you're defending for your lives, the way he can both hold it up and run with it, is just amazing. Usually a player can now do of those two, but rarely both.
Well, quite clearly the better team lost. Belgium were bang average apart from Lukaku who is just a brilliant CF.
An element of luck certainly, but great resistance too. Mind you, if Belgium’s passing had been a bit better they could easily have had another couple of goals on the counter.
I’m delighted other people have now noticed that Ronaldo is actually a bit **** at free kicks. Because he does the ‘knuckle ball’ thing, people remember the very few ones he actually scores. He’s only scored one free kick in seventy two attempts for Juventus. Anyone else and you’d get someone different on them.
This Belgium side have pretty much always flattered to deceive. As their golden generation nears its end, they’ve not managed to make great players into a great team. They still have a chance to win something of course as no team is standing out right now, but they’ve rarely been convincing imo. Their many great players drag them through competitions, but not a great team.
I still think this side of the draw produces the Italy France semi and the winner probably wins the final. Don't think it's a particularly strong tournament though. It's interesting the team with the solid defence won though.
