World cup thread.

Start brightly, lose way, seem to be short on energy, lacking in imagination. How many times did I think that watching a certain team last season?

 

It all looked a bit static in the second half, and why do they think they have to walk the ball into the net ?

 

Better late than never!

Well done Kane for leading by example despite some rough treatment from the opposition defenders which wasn't punished for some reason.

Excellent 1st half - maybe not so convincing in the 2nd but a win is a win and not many teams have done that with ease so far.

 

Well we got the 3 points. Penalty looked soft

My Spanish friends saw it as what needed to be done. Workmanlike-

I think Tunisia actually played well with their defensive plan. Full credit to them. I can see them beating Panama.

Thought Rashford should have started but Sterling kept it clean.

One yellow for walker is OK. Didn't note any injuries

I noted on the BBC some said it is only Tunisia but they have earned their right to be in the finals. As Germany, Argentina, Brazil and France have shown there are no easy games

Bring on Panama, get the three points, and then we can enjoy it
.

 

They said in the USA that Tunisia was ranked 21st in the world so they are not total mugs

 

Highest ranked African side and many teams have proved to be tough to break down this tournament so far.

 

Felt like a typical English game... start off well, miss some great chances but then slow things down, concede a silly goal. Luckily managed to snatch a win and takes the pressure off a little against Panama,

Probably a few too many under-performing too. Couldn't really think of many stand-out players, and a few that were pretty poor.

Also think the ref needs to be looked at - not just the decisions but his attitude in general. He was very quick to give their penalty but just wasn't interested in our two very good shouts, and the second motioning a dive I think. Stopping the game when their player got hit on the side, and even ushering off (I think) Lingard when he just allowed their players to stroll off at their own pace. He must have been gutted with the late winner

 

Good analysis on all counts

thank goodness we scored the late winner... otherwise I fear would have been another escalator ride to nowhere for England

and if there Pen was a Pen... then we should have had two...... very odd ref in a lot of ways..

 

I expect that ref will have a nice holiday in Tunisia at the end of the WC, not his fault Kane was not wrestled on the 90 minute! Kane should have had 3 penalties for being wrestled to the ground and in my view, although Walker held his arm out, the guy walked into it and fell over, soft penalty, seen a lot worse go unpunished.

What is the point of VAR, if it is not used?

 

I believe it was for the first incident but no replay was deemed required .

Generally been used a fair bit and with success in the main .

 

Hope that Colombian defender gets protection when he returns home. It is still tragic what happened to Escobar.

 

Offer him a contract at The Vic. I bet he'd come cheap.

 

Carlos Sanchez is a decent defender normally!

 

Another ex Orn in the Senegal v Poland game with Niang playing ..

FIFA to investigate VAR non use from last night ..

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www....ilure-var-award-harry-kane-two-penalties/amp/

Probably find us at fault somehow !

 

Russia the first to qualify.....

 

Not fully but yes indeed. They are sure to go through despite pre tournament expectations.

 

Great goal from Niang!

 

Nice set up from the Poland defence ...

And the ref had a hand in it too with his quick call.

 

yep... no controversy really....

 

Amrabat playing with a skull cap on .