I'd argue this is actually the worst opponent of the ones they have faced because they don't play as compact as they should be given their relative lack of world beaters. No wonder LvG had almost the same team close up a lot more during the WC than Koeman does. He acts like he still has a Dutch team with half of them being WC.
Semi-finals | Spain vs France | Netherlands vs England
- Thread starter top1whoisman
- Start date
Well yeah, all their actual decent midfielders (De Jong, Koopmeiners, De Roon) are injured.
He rarely gets credit. So many subtle classy moments.
There were some fools on twitter saying Mainoo was just a sideways passing merchant. Almost as if they didn’t watch him for us.
Best England half in a while. The Dutch midfield and attack is so poor.
Best England half in a while. The Dutch midfield and attack is so poor.
This is probably the most complete performance I’ve seen from him.
Very impressive so far
The two Stockport lads and Walker looking the best so far.
If England were a bit more solid at the back, this game wouldnt be a contest. As is, they look like conceding a chance every time the Dutch manage to enter their half
Could someone explain what Bellingham is good at? Not seeing anything from him this tournament.
Well said.
Holland should have had 2 penalties going by standard set by the Kane decision.
England looks better and should take it.
Dominant performance from the best international team in Europe. Netherlands lucky not to see a red for the studs up challenge in the box.
Tijani is quality.
How are England not winning this? NL are a very poor international team, let’s be honest
There is only one way this ends, nailed on Dutch win.
This is the most over reactionary place in history, for the last couple of games it was Foden, now Bellingham and Kane. They've been fine ffs... can't win every game 4or 5-0. Foden and Mainoo have been excellent, Saka good and Belligham and Kane alright. Not everything is a 1/10 or a 10/10. Tactically England have been very good. Missing a left footed left wingback (Shaw would be nice). Unlucky not to have at least a 2-1 lead.
He is on the bevies
This system gets the 2 10s and Mainoo on the ball in good positions, very good so far.
Only one of those teams always beats Iceland...
The ITV commentators are way over the top with him but he's finding the space well enough; it's not a gift.
My dislike for Southgate and England's national team being seriously challenged by my love for Mainoo here
And this is the issue with giving such a daft pen. Every decision looks worse after it.
England deserve to win this so far but that pen was atrocious
It’s the only way half of these clowns will take notice of how good he’s playing. FotMob player rating at half time have Kane on 8, and Mainoo on 6.8.
Best we’ve played so far, therefore we’ll no doubt lose after using up all our luck to get here.
Kane has been terrible. He's clearly carrying an injury because he's lethargic as feck.
Absolutely loving watching Mainoo and Foden linking up. (Stockport lads). But I’ve been fixated on Mainoo, just watch his positional awareness and movement. His passing is hard, low, controlled to feet, my god we have a superstar on our hands. He’s so enjoyable to watch.
England the more dominant side yet I think Holland have more of a goal in them. Their attacks are more direct.
Please go back to boring pragmatic mode England 
Absolutely. England going against their winning formula by playing some nice stuff.
Actually, credit where it’s due, that was a good 1st half from the team against strong opposition. Foden and Mainoo are having great games today, best players on the pitch.
The penalty was a harsh one. I imagine they have looked at the high foot and studs up and felt that it was an inappropriate challenge for the ball.
The penalty was a harsh one. I imagine they have looked at the high foot and studs up and felt that it was an inappropriate challenge for the ball.
Wright is talking bollocks
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Crazy that pen call......he didn't even have his studs up.
Wright trying to justify that penalty.
England have been generally quite shit at this tournament but I think they’ve been pretty good tonight
If we can get Palmer on as well it’ll be popping around between them.
Spikes? Was he wearing bobsleigh shoes?!
Yeah that's probably true. They also clearly lack a focal point up front. They still have worked a few openings and looked dangerous on their one set piece but things will have to change for the second half.