World Cup 2018 Thread.

Urgh, what a miss from Harry...

Then Sterling misses the goal by about 6 miles. As he has all tournament.

Brighter football and faster crisper passing the past 5 minutes.

 

Whilst England have done well in Russia, I still think they have a long way to go to be a force in European/World football.

 

Never mind,I would have settled for 4th.
Still a long way for us to be as good as Belgium,who I thought were the best team in tournament.

 

Really glad I turned it off at half time. Had enough of that.

 

It's a shame Southgate didn't take that game seriously either. 3rd would have been a nice achievement. Can't keep playing weakened teams against players like that.

 

Subasic
Trippier Vida Mina Marcelo
Kante Modric
Cheryshev De Bruyne Hazard
Mbappe

 

Cracker, DH and it's sure got goals in it

 

I can't believe Southgate dropped all those unfit players, he should have taken it seriously

 

That's the team he would have played if we had the final?

 

An extra 24 hours recovery time may have helped but otherwise yes

 

No chance.

 

Players are way to injured, but if it was 24 hours later, they would be perfect. Rubbish.

 

Belgium are a class team, not surprised we aren't at their level currently.

Still the England team played with determination, and a surprisingly successful commitment to play passing interesting football, (only resorting to the hapless long ball in death throws of the semi). I think the greatest sign of progress was in defense, where we looked much safer than previously.
We are still deficient in both midfield creativity and lacking a meaningful goal threat up front. But the best thing about this team has to be Southgate. He's been a revelation and has made the team hungry, humble and driven to prove they can ignore the press and play the game. He's class

World Cup: Gareth Southgate says England are 'not a top-four team yet' - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44832540

 

All we're missing is a Hazard or a de Bruyne to show that flash of brilliance (Maddison in 2 years time?) currently absent. Brilliant performance nonetheless - makes me look forward, rather than dread, the Euros in two years time.

 

Sorry FML but I fail to see where you are coming from. I thought we played well and lost to a better team.

Onwards and upwards

 

That will be the real test of progress and I'm VERY hopeful that JM will a fully fledged senior team player by then!!

 

Not a freekick, which lead to the unlucky own goal.
Class Goal for Croatia
I don't think that was a pen, and it certainly wasn't a clear and obvious error.
Croatia have looked so dangerous, and can't believe they aren't level at the break.
Good final so far.

 

In fairness to the ref, every time a ball has hit a hand in the box so far this WC it's been given, this looked worse than most, I wouldn't give it but more viable than most of the others for my money.
4-1, got to hand it to the French (4-2!) they are good at what they do, but is rather the Croats or Belgians had beat them, both played better and lost to them.

Bah!

 

Definitely hand to ball, penalty all day long.