2026 World Cup

[Leonormous Boozer]

I think Rodri has shown what England are missing in Rice tbh. Industrious but he can't control a match like any of the greats.

I think a Rodri or Busquets elevates this England team to the best in the world. Even a Roy Keane or Michael Carrick type as a more traditional premier league type midfielder to control the ugly parts of a match would have had them winning a Euros and at least reaching a WC final right now.

@Cruz_del_Sur do you expect a bit of a barren period for Argentina (dropping to more of a QF type team) following this cup? Messi's last hurrah and a few of his key support acts are probably on their last run around too. Impossible game to stay relevant at the top constantly in my eyes.

 

[Welsh Exile]

I think Rodri has shown what England are missing in Rice tbh. Industrious but he can't control a match like any of the greats.

I think a Rodri or Busquets elevates this England team to the best in the world. Even a Roy Keane or Michael Carrick type as a more traditional premier league type midfielder to control the ugly parts of a match would have had them winning a Euros and at least reaching a WC final right now.

@Cruz_del_Sur do you expect a but of a barren period for Argentina (dropping to more of a QF type team) following this cup? Messi's last hurrah and a few of his key support acts are probably on their last run around too. Impossible game to stay relevant at the top constantly in my eyes.

The way people bang on about Rice it’s a given that he’s already as good as, if not better, than Rodri, Busquettes etc. Crazy

Good player and all but not a truly elite player. Adam Wharton is better than Rice was at his age imo

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

The way people bang on about Rice it’s a given that he’s already as good as, if not better, than Rodri, Busquettes etc. Crazy

Good player and all but not a truly elite player. Adam Wharton is better than Rice was at his age imo

I presume he's an unbelievable prem systems player (I don't watch the prem, the odd CL game at most which is different again at the top level I think).

Just haven't seen it watching him play for England to be honest.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Romero and a few others who did the Falklands banner thing could be looking at suspensions. It probably won’t be until after the WC but would be hilarious if Cuti and a few others were banned from the final.

 

[OllyM97]

Mexico, Colombia...
Until 2010 you could argue the same thing about Spain. We would make fun of them when they called themselves the red fury.
All talk and no trophies to show for. Your time will come. Chin up!

To be fair Cruz we’ve been saying that for the last 40-50 years. Normally I get over England defeats in tournaments very quickly (used to them!) but this one I suspect will sting for a long time. The World Cup final was there right in front of us and we’ve thrown it away. England teams don’t get to WC semi-finals very often - this was only our 4th in just under a century of World Cups. The manner of that defeat will haunt those players for a long time - and so it should. Others will disagree but I’d put this one above the last two Euros finals in terms of how damaging it was. If Argentina had outclassed us for 90 minutes then that’s different, but they didn’t. They got back into the game because we lost our bottle and got negative. Teams have tried that tactic against Messi for 20 years and it’s failed - in terms of the ability to move the ball between his feet quickly and find space, he is just peerless.

 

[BrokenWing]

Teams have tried that tactic against Messi for 20 years and it’s failed - in terms of the ability to move the ball between his feet quickly and find space, he is just peerless.

Gary Neville - "Just mark him"

Roy Keane - "What, you think that hasn't occurred to any manager over the last 20 years? It's Messi"

The capitulation was annoying (especially considering anyone who'd watched the Egypt game might have had an idea of what might happen) but It's the first time I can remember losing with little to no controversy. No "hand of god". No Beckham red card. Just beaten.

 

[Demfad]

I think Spain v France was the best performance of the competition too. If it was played on paper Spain win 10/10 times.

I've never seen anything like the belief and refusal to be beaten like this Argentina team have shown.

I think Spain probably get it done but I wouldn't put a cent on it.

Fair enough, but Argentina needed access to England 25m area to make their belief count. When playing Spain belief wont count if they are stcuk in their own half and relying in poor ball to their forwards.
Sligo Rovers had a massive belief winning the FAI cup final in 1982. Wasn't enough to get past FC Nantes in the following years Cupo winners cup.
Reality might hit Argentina also on Sunday.

 

[Demfad]

Yeah, and if Sweinsteigerhad a 45 minutes as bad as Rice did he would have been dragged off too.

I know it’s not exactly proof, but the BBC match rating had him second lowest after Madueke. I’m clearly not in a minority of people who watched him stink the place out.

Media for the same country get biased one way or he other. England lost their midfield backbone last night when he went off. They shrunk back to within 25m of their own goal.
His experience was badly missed.

 

[Demfad]

The way people bang on about Rice it’s a given that he’s already as good as, if not better, than Rodri, Busquettes etc. Crazy

Good player and all but not a truly elite player. Adam Wharton is better than Rice was at his age imo

I used to play, but barely watch football anymore. I watched Rice just at this FWC and I can see immediately his value to England.

 

[Welsh Exile]

I used to play, but barely watch football anymore. I watched Rice just at this FWC and I can see immediately his value to England.

Don’t get me wrong he is a very good player and maybe even go as far as to say a key player for England but, individually, I just think he’s incredibly overrated. Just my opinion obviously and I’m clearly in a minority with that view.

 

[BrokenWing]

Media for the same country get biased one way or he other. England lost their midfield backbone last night when he went off. They shrunk back to within 25m of their own goal.
His experience was badly missed.

I'm not talking about last night.

 

[dirty harry]

Don’t get me wrong he is a very good player and maybe even go as far as to say a key player for England but, individually, I just think he’s incredibly overrated. Just my opinion obviously and I’m clearly in a minority with that view.

Nonim with you, he, Kane and Bellingham looked like they were runjing in custard from 65 mins on, i would have replaced all 3 tbh.

I findnit strange people are calling the England performance capitulation, or blaming Tuchel, i think Argentina just beat them into submision, the 1st half Argentina kicked lumps out of them, and were allowed to, 15 mins or so after half time England were starting to creak, struggling to keep the intensity, and the press had all but dropped.

Then after the goal England just looked off theor feet, Tuchels timing on the subs was perfect, England were going to concede, and the hydration was around the corner.

I dont think it would have made a difference who Tuchel brought on tbh, infact i think the only thing he could have done is totally emptied his bench, get every sub he could on in one go, however that would have been career suicide at 1-0 up and easy for me to say now.

England managed a semi final, good acheivement for that squad, they got a lucky fixture run to avoid any big names, and well tbh just be happy with a semi final that was a game too far against superior opposition.

 

[dirty harry]

As Welsh Exile said, imagine the difference Trent would have made at RB, imagine Foden, Palmer, Grealish, or Bowen beingnin the wider chanells, especially those with a 2nd foot to use... and imagine Wharton or Halls youth, hell imagine a real left back playing left back lol.

Tuchels criticism should be in his selection, not his in game management.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Fair enough, but Argentina needed access to England 25m area to make their belief count. When playing Spain belief wont count if they are stcuk in their own half and relying in poor ball to their forwards.
Sligo Rovers had a massive belief winning the FAI cup final in 1982. Wasn't enough to get past FC Nantes in the following years Cupo winners cup.
Reality might hit Argentina also on Sunday.

Hahah, fair.

I don't think Argentina will have the same starting 11. A few of their subs were vital. I think it'll be an interesting tactical battle.

Team with the most goals vs the team who conceded the fewest would suggest a lot of play in the middle third which Spain will dominate.

I think we'll see Spain win, don't really have a preference, but I just can't count them out!

 

[BrokenWing]

they got a lucky fixture run to avoid any big names

You could say the same about Argentina

 

[dirty harry]

You could say the same about Argentina

Ye i agree, i dont think they are a great team, theyve ridden their luck.

I said after the groups the only team capable of beating France was Spain, neither team last noght would have stood a chance against France.

Like others i donth think argies worry the spanish.

 

[OllyM97]

It’s probably the first WC final that I’m seriously considering giving a miss. There’s just nothing that excites me about this game from a purely footballing perspective. Spain will dominate the ball and Argentina will try (but ultimate fail) to kick lumps out of them and disrupt their rhythm. If Spain score first it’s over - Arg can be as good at comebacks as they want - not against Spain. They’ll just keep it all day.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Spain are definitely the better team but it’s a final at the end of the day and Argentina are the current champions and not for no good reason.

I think 1-0 Spain but a 0-0 wouldn’t surprise me either

 

[dirty harry]

It’s probably the first WC final that I’m seriously considering giving a miss. There’s just nothing that excites me about this game from a purely footballing perspective. Spain will dominate the ball and Argentina will try (but ultimate fail) to kick lumps out of them and disrupt their rhythm. If Spain score first it’s over - Arg can be as good at comebacks as they want - not against Spain. They’ll just keep it all day.

TBH i disliked the last world cup, and wished Wales had boycotted, this world cup has been as bad, and with everything we know thats going on over the next 8 years i think Fifa has a real PR issue that could blow up in their face.

I dont think ill bother woth the final either, the 3rd place will be a far better game IMO

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Bet they pick a non Spanish speaking ref for the final.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Bet they pick a non Spanish speaking ref for the final.

Should get a ref from the Falklands.

 

[BrokenWing]

Well at least they’ve been fined a fraction of one of the players wages that they earn in one week.

That should keep politics out of football.

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

@Cruz_del_Sur do you expect a bit of a barren period for Argentina (dropping to more of a QF type team) following this cup? Messi's last hurrah and a few of his key support acts are probably on their last run around too. Impossible game to stay relevant at the top constantly in my eyes.

yeah, probably. To be fair, i've been saying that for quite a while and somehow the team manages to find a reason to give me hope. I mean, we went from Maradona to Messi in less than a generation. And it took the coaching staff over a decade to figure out how to make use of the greatest footballer in history. Let that sink in. We've also had some amazing teams (2002, 2006) which delivered absolutely nothing, but could have easily been champions. It happens. Frustrating as **** but it happens.

So yes, we will not expect much, but we didnt expect much from this wc either. WE've had commercials about it. No team in Argentine history has entered a WC with such a low bar in terms of pressure. We demanded nothing because they had already give us everything. yet here we are again, playing a WC final.

I've had a good run: i've seen my national team win 3 wc finals, lose 2 and lets see how this sunday's game plays out. Countless copa america's. And that's the what, now about the how: i've seen the greatest goal in history scored against a bitter rival, but that wasnt enough; we had to score the most popular and controversial goal, too. On the same game. We've come back from the dead, quite a few times. We've seen Messi lose final after final in copa america and wcs, retire from the national team, only to come back and win it all. ALL. If there is a footie god, that mothafucka loves the **** out of us.

let me say this again because people have a short memory. Messi did so poorly in the national team, SOOO poorly that he actually said he wouldnt play anymore. Press, journos and quite a few argentines argued he shouldnt play anymore. I am not talking about a 39 yo Messi. I am talking about Messi at his peak. This happened.

The point i am trying to make is, yes, i expect a dry spell, but i've been wrong about this. Time and time again. Hope i am wrong again.

 

[OllyM97]

At least Cruz if you do have a dry spell in a rebuild after this WC, you’ll have the lifelong memories of seeing your country win everything there is to win. Honestly, I wish I was Italian rather than English when it comes to football. I would cop missing out on 3 straight WCs if I’d seen my team win both of the big tournaments in the 20 years prior. Getting to the latter stages of tournaments but never winning one is just a waste of time.

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

This world cup has produced some of the rarest and finest form of banter. This might not be the best i've seen, but it's not that far off and it's relatively child safe.



basically: you limping sob, check if it s not lupus.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

yeah, probably. To be fair, i've been saying that for quite a while and somehow the team manages to find a reason to give me hope. I mean, we went from Maradona to Messi in less than a generation. And it took the coaching staff over a decade to figure out how to make use of the greatest footballer in history. Let that sink in. We've also had some amazing teams (2002, 2006) which delivered absolutely nothing, but could have easily been champions. It happens. Frustrating as **** but it happens.

So yes, we will not expect much, but we didnt expect much from this wc either. WE've had commercials about it. No team in Argentine history has entered a WC with such a low bar in terms of pressure. We demanded nothing because they had already give us everything. yet here we are again, playing a WC final.

I've had a good run: i've seen my national team win 3 wc finals, lose 2 and lets see how this sunday's game plays out. Countless copa america's. And that's the what, now about the how: i've seen the greatest goal in history scored against a bitter rival, but that wasnt enough; we had to score the most popular and controversial goal, too. On the same game. We've come back from the dead, quite a few times. We've seen Messi lose final after final in copa america and wcs, retire from the national team, only to come back and win it all. ALL. If there is a footie god, that mothafucka loves the **** out of us.

let me say this again because people have a short memory. Messi did so poorly in the national team, SOOO poorly that he actually said he wouldnt play anymore. Press, journos and quite a few argentines argued he shouldnt play anymore. I am not talking about a 39 yo Messi. I am talking about Messi at his peak. This happened.

The point i am trying to make is, yes, i expect a dry spell, but i've been wrong about this. Time and time again. Hope i am wrong again.

Class - I'd love my country to play a final in a sport a small fraction of people care about as much and that we all love on these boards!

You're dead right too, I never got engrossed in club football and only learnt to appreciate Messi in the last four years as a result! If he has a hand to play in the result on Sunday I'll be the least surprised man on earth.

I'm small town in comparison amd international sport is all luck of the draw but I love it.

You had Hernandez, Contepomi, Maradona, Batutitsta and Messi and all the lows and highs (including the ultimate high) that came with it. I had Keane, O'Driscoll, Sexton and all the lower lows and shorter highs.

I wouldn't have it any other way and it's only confirmation to appreciate the moments if you're lucky enough to be from a country that's the best. Many get close but few ever get there!

And I'll live and watch in hope we get there in the oval ball game, maybe we reach another quarter final in this game before I'm worm food - I'll have a few beers!

Best of luck on Sunday - most of the world can only imagine what it's like!

 

[OllyM97]

Class - I'd love my country to play a final in a sport a small fraction of people care about as much and that we all love on these boards!

You're dead right too, I never got engrossed in club football and only learnt to appreciate Messi in the last four years as a result! If he has a hand to play in the result on Sunday I'll be the least surprised man on earth.

I'm small town in comparison amd international sport is all luck of the draw but I love it.

You had Hernandez, Contepomi, Maradona, Batutitsta and Messi and all the lows and highs (including the ultimate high) that came with it. I had Keane, O'Driscoll, Sexton and all the lower lows and shorter highs.

I wouldn't have it any other way and it's only confirmation to appreciate the moments if you're lucky enough to be from a country that's the best. Many get close but few ever get there!

And I'll live and watch in hope we get there in the oval ball game, maybe we reach another quarter final in this game before I'm worm food - I'll have a few beers!

Best of luck on Sunday - most of the world can only imagine what it's like!

You know what @Leonormous Boozer, even as an Englishman I’d love to see Ireland in the World Cup again at some point. I was absolutely gutted about that Czech game in the playoffs. I know you would have had to have beaten Denmark after that to get there but at the Aviva I would have given you a good chance with home advantage. Seeing Ireland qualify for a World Cup in the US would have been absolutely brilliant - imagine the absolute sea of Green at all the games.

 

[OllyM97]

. I’ll admit I actually laughed at loud when I saw this. It’s depressing but so true.

 

[Welsh Exile]

yeah, probably. To be fair, i've been saying that for quite a while and somehow the team manages to find a reason to give me hope. I mean, we went from Maradona to Messi in less than a generation. And it took the coaching staff over a decade to figure out how to make use of the greatest footballer in history. Let that sink in. We've also had some amazing teams (2002, 2006) which delivered absolutely nothing, but could have easily been champions. It happens. Frustrating as **** but it happens.

So yes, we will not expect much, but we didnt expect much from this wc either. WE've had commercials about it. No team in Argentine history has entered a WC with such a low bar in terms of pressure. We demanded nothing because they had already give us everything. yet here we are again, playing a WC final.

I've had a good run: i've seen my national team win 3 wc finals, lose 2 and lets see how this sunday's game plays out. Countless copa america's. And that's the what, now about the how: i've seen the greatest goal in history scored against a bitter rival, but that wasnt enough; we had to score the most popular and controversial goal, too. On the same game. We've come back from the dead, quite a few times. We've seen Messi lose final after final in copa america and wcs, retire from the national team, only to come back and win it all. ALL. If there is a footie god, that mothafucka loves the **** out of us.

let me say this again because people have a short memory. Messi did so poorly in the national team, SOOO poorly that he actually said he wouldnt play anymore. Press, journos and quite a few argentines argued he shouldnt play anymore. I am not talking about a 39 yo Messi. I am talking about Messi at his peak. This happened.

The point i am trying to make is, yes, i expect a dry spell, but i've been wrong about this. Time and time again. Hope i am wrong again.

Someone made the point about this Argentina team that there is clearly such an amazing buy in from the players. You have players like Alvarez who is worth over £100m and he’s getting told, look son, I know you’re a big superstar but you’re just going to be running in this team because you’re essentially playing for Messi. All of them are. Now a lot of players at that level would say “excuse me, I don’t think so” but they all work so hard for him. As I say, great buy in, I know he’s the GOAT but still.

 

[BrokenWing]

You know, if I was one of the England squad that hadn’t played a second until now and was picked for the third place game, I’d be inclined to tell Tuchel to shove it.

Apart from FIFA further lining their pockets the game is utterly meaningless.

Neither team want it. The players clubs definitely don’t want to risk their player getting injured in it.