Le Mondial, 2026
sionisais
Shipmate
in The Circus
Actually paid attention to a game this evening and after a tedious first half, The Netherlands and Japan put on a much more entertaining second half. The officials got things right but as time went on, the defenders seemed to lose control or even interest.
Although the massive stadium is air conditioned, I think some of the players were suffering cramp towards the end, but the pitch could affect that.
Although the massive stadium is air conditioned, I think some of the players were suffering cramp towards the end, but the pitch could affect that.
Comments
That was definitely the case last night in the France v Senegal match. Poor first half, with Senegal getting a golden chance late on, which they paid for in the second half when a completely different France pinned them and took a good lead only for entertaining chaos in added time.
Over all, 7/10. I can see France winning this.
As a non-expert I found it an entertaining watch, with some moments of genuine excitement. A good crop of goals is much more entertaining than effective but dull defending to scrape a win.
England’s coaching team has a tough job ahead turning the talent available into a winning combination. They have to construct an effective defence, for that wins matches and through that competitions. Scoring enough goals is a lesser problem.
I’m equally sure this will bite us in the bum sooner rather than later.
I hate this playing out from the back.
What happened to keepers hoofing it?
Canada looked good in thrashing a dispirited Qatar team, who had two players sent off and lost their composure completely. The loss of two players had an effect, but Canada were skilful and well organised.
Finals for sure
It seems the locals have really taken them to their hearts, which is how sport should be.
❤️🏴❤️🏴❤️🏴❤️
Fortunately, the Dutch were very good indeed. I don’t see them winning the World Cup, but they will beat England if they need to.
For what it’s worth I agree with you, but I believe the tactical idea is to draw the opponent into pressing too high up the pitch so that our quick players up front (especially the wingers) can exploit the extra space created when the ball finally goes forward.
To be fair, it can pay off massively if done well. However, it also means that any mistakes made will likely have a massive impact as well. Risk/Reward, in other words, like a golfer going for a tricky approach shot over the water in an attempt to get the ball close to the hole rather than going for the safe route that will probably mean two putts. When it comes off you look brilliant, when it goes wrong you look shit.
But hey, at least it’s fun to watch rather than the dour play-it-so-safe-we-ended-up-drawing-nil-nil-with-Algeria way England have often played at tournaments!
The France v Iraq game was different. France have a real verve and in Mbappe, Olise and Dembele some great attacking players. If they can defend properly, they could be contenders.
NB. The France game must have set the record for duration. After a 10pm kickoff there was a two hour half time interval due to rain and thunderstorms. Match ended at just after 2 am!
One of my brothers in Boston posted in our family chat a picture he took of Sam Adams's statue with a traffic cone on its head. (Sam was a Founding Father and signatory of the Declaration of Independence.)
That post aged well 🙄
Not after they gave such a soft goal away early on. It showed that their defence was never going to be successful and they had just one attempt at goal just before halftime. Overall I think Brazil had about twenty five attempts at goal so it could be said that they were profligate.
The Brazilians stroll, deceive and use cold skill rather than break into a sweat.
Dare I suggest that while Christianity is the predominant religion in both countries, the influence is different. There are many Catholics in Scotland, but the Protestant work ethic is strong.
You could tell we were in an American bar when the US team appeared to gain a second point, though it was called back. Some jerk yelled "Touchdown!" Members of his table looked away.
We ended up going home to watch the second half in our living room.
I have to say it seemed like a rough game. Some of the flagrant fouls were called but definitely not all. I had to agree with the Turkey coach when he would jump up when one of his people was fouled. The American coach? Calm, cool, collected. I do not think I ever saw him jump up. Both sides had their faults.
VAR isn’t used well either.
It’s a popular brand name, used by separate companies producing motorcycles, kitchen goods, smart gentleman’s grooming equipment and refrigeration systems (and they should be doing well).
Overachievers: Cape Verde Islands
Underachievers: Uruguay
Luckiest qualifier for knockout stage: Senegal
Unluckiest non-qualifier for knockout stage: Iran, deprived of a last minute winner by VAR and unbeaten.
Note also that Cape Verde Islands qualified in second place with just three points.
These tournaments with “lucky losers” are evil I tell you.
Is this a fiddle?.
My previous two posts should have been on the other World Cup thread, never mind.
Can England win?
If England get past DR Congo and if everything goes to form and reputation, England will have to beat Mexico, Brazil and Argentina to reach the final (if I’m not mistaken). I can see us beating DR Congo, but away to Mexico in summer at 7,000’ will more than justify hydration breaks. If we are successful in the Azteca then we will play some classy opponents and I fear our tournament will end at the quarterfinals, because of, as @quetzalcoatl says, some gruesome defending.
I had been following Iran's progress too and was wondering what would have happened if Trump was obliged to hand the trophy to them--and then (poof) they were out!
There is the story of Hitler shaking all the hands of all the gold medalists on the first day of the 1936 Olympics inn Berlin---they had all been German and Finnish up until the evening when the African American Cornelius Johnson won the gold. But Hitler suddenly left the stadium before the medal was awarded claiming he had an appointment. The IOC reprimanded Hitler telling him he had to award all the gold medals or not. He chose not to award any more.
If Iran had been able to stay in, I would say it would have been an interesting photo for all time if they got the trophy.
Of course, first choice for me would be USA. Barring them I am getting out the Norwegian flag and practicing the Nordisk rolng or Viking row.