Is the final not next weekend?
Day 19: Morocco vs Portugal | England vs France (QF 3&4)
- Thread starter Samid
- Start date
I agree with all of your points. France just have that maturity to their game that just says "been there, done it already". They don't panic, similar to Croatia in that regard.
But France have that Balance of old heads but new blood that still have something to prove and win on the biggest stage. As a neutral (as neutral as an Irish person can be!) I can't wait for tonight's game.
The focus has been on Mbappe vs Walker, but I'd worry about Shaw and Maguire against Dembele, and also Griezmann that likes to drift to those inside channels.
I know it has nothing to do with France but can they take James Corden anyway if they lose?
I don't really get this, what exactly is the problem with Argentine referees. There are french referees so no nations should be excluded.
National team selection is not the best barometer for gauging how good players are. Some players just work better for the team.
Individually Hernandez is better than Shaw but it's not 'clear cut' it's my personal view.
I cannot disagree with you more, but that's a conversation for another time and another thread.
Right, probably the last time ill say this for 2 years.
But, it's coming home! Sir Harry Maguire! Lets have it!
But, it's coming home! Sir Harry Maguire! Lets have it!
Agree to disagree. No problem mate, I understand your view point and I'm obviously biased being a Sporting fan
I worry about Walker's fitness to be honest. It hasn't been said much, as far as I can see, but Reece James is a huge loss for you guys. For me the best RB in the World with Hakimi. With him then France would have had to worry about him attacking too instead of just Mbappe. I agree too, I think Mrcus is your guy against a CB playing RB. Foden is amazing but won't pose the same problems. I wish Southgate used him at 10 with Rashford on the left but this isn't the game for it.
However that's where you win it for me. France have Dembele and Mbappe and I don't see a dangerous alternative. Whereas England have Rashford, Grealish and Mount. All very talented and different players who can change the game in various ways. Even Wilson can be a decent impact sub.
Huge game ahead. The winner of this, for me, wins the whole thing.
Fair enough. Age thing as well I think.
For me, I'd personally rate them like this.
Pickford > Lloris
Walker > Kounde (as a rb, I'd take Kounde as a cb)
Stones < Varane
Maguire < Upamecano
Shaw < T. Hernandez
Rice < Tchouameni
Bellingham > Rabiot
Henderson < Griezmann
Saka < Dembele
Kane > Giroud
Foden < Mbappe
Will be an interesting game. Both have excellent players throughout. RB the clear weakness for France. England's defence as a whole is pretty suspect imo, none of them would fill me with confidence and even against Senegal they looked shaky at times. The first truly top attack they've had to play in the WC so far, if they do well today they definitely have a good chance at winning the whole thing.
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So is Luke Shaw
fair enough. I like Hernandez but for me Shaw is world class when he’s fully fit.
i’d be happy with either.
Oh Bruno, those quotes are embarrassing. Stop beeing sore losers.
Excited for France - England, still think the winner will take the trophy. Still fancy France, but England are the ones (alongside Brazil I thought) who can beat them.
You conveniently cut a few seconds before that
. There was an obvious pullback on him before that. Whether that was enough of penalty or not is up for debate.But "Literally no contact" eh.
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Messi lives rent free in their heads
That's not the point. Lucas Hernandez starting was used to make a point about Théo's level.
Because they apparently hate CR and Portugal. They don't want Messi and Argentina to meet.
If Bellingham plays a blinder today, it'll take the crown jewels to buy him.
Thanks for the thoughtful reply.
James missing is huge and could have done a job on Mbappe I think.
Yeah agree about Foden, very different threat. Subs in the last 20 plus ET will be huge I think, Grealish or Rashford could be the difference.
Did they actually call the corner routine The Love Train?!
It was called that in 2018
Where is the evidence of that? As far as I can see, Morocco are the only team that had a questionable call during that game.
Still baffling to me how Halilhodzic kept his job for so long, especially after the whole Ziyech debacle. Also not a big fan of a foreigner coaching the NT, but that's a different subject.
3-1 England
Feeling confident
Feeling confident
Didn't Walker play the full 90 against Senegal? That and some training sessions will have got him up speed. I hope.
An Argentine ref who sent off a Moroccan player. Shut the feck up Bruno
Did he not play v Wales too?
Worried for Maguire. Wales, Iran, USA he can be fine enough. He had a couple of bad moments against Senegal that ended to nothing thankfully but here it's going to be very tough at this front attacking 4 if they have room.
That was the training session I mentioned.
No worries, best of luck! Enjoy the game!!
You’re being very generous about Wales showing in that game
Well England weirdly too, that's the feeling I got at least. It's a group that has been together for a very long time and only narrowly missed a trophy. They're not trailing France that much in terms of tournament experience, except well actually winning one. They're also gaining confidence with each game won and I'm fairly certain that their mindset is "we can actually do this" at the moment. The stars are aligned and it's their best chance to win the WC since 1966.
Griezmann has been France's unsung hero this whole WC. However they're still missing key players in the midfield and defense and have a problem defending set-pieces. A formidable team and collective which would have steam rolled any opponent in this tournament should they have been at full strength, but as it is now they're more reliant on Mbappé's magic than in the previous tournaments. Definite favourites in this game but I really can't say who's going to come out on top.
Fine margins.
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I mean, love the guy, but Bruno being a cnut isn't news
Feels like the kind of tournament where it doesn’t matter who the favourites are. I think England can do it.