GWT: World Cup - Quarterfinals - England v. France

[al secord]

Canada still the only team to sneak a goal by them

Speaking of masterclass

Walker on Mpabbe should be a good one. Walker can match his speed if fully fit.

Surgically repaired groin. Hurts me just to type it. He looked slow for the first time in his career against Senegal.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Sterling back in Qatar

 

[Evilo]

Yeah in times before WWII. When France didn't play pro football.

 

[koyvoo]

Yeah in times before WWII. When France didn't play pro football.

They beat a very good French side in 1982

 

[Evilo]

They beat a very good French side in 1982

That's actually true, forgot about that one.
I'd even say that 82 team was the best in the world with Brazil.
That said, it was a group stage game. IIRC, England never lost a game that WC but had trouble scoring in the second group phase.

 

[Elvis P]

Southgate has more KO wins than England's last 9 bosses combined.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

Southgate has more KO wins than England's last 9 bosses combined.

That says more about the previous guys than about Southgate himself.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

That says more about the previous guys than about Southgate himself.

Those guys also didn't have the talent he has.

 

[jcs0218]

It is going to break England's heart if they lose this game.

 

[Venkman]

Those guys also didn't have the talent he has.

I'd say most of them did. Eriksson, McClaren and Capello all had the A.Cole, Terry, Ferdinand, Scholes, Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney, Owen talents. Hodgson had some of them for Euro 2012 then '14 and '16 weren't as talented.

In the 90's (Venables and Hoddle) the talent is comparable.

Having Rice and Bellingham does give a balanced midfield and team overall, something that previous England teams have lacked.

 

[koyvoo]

Difference in how far England went I tournaments previous to the past two is simply related to how early or late in the competition they play a good team.

Sven Gorman Eriksson got Portugal’s golden generation as his first knockout matches in consecutive tournaments. Southgate’s teams have had much easier paths to deeper runs, and that’s the only reason deep runs have been made recently.

 

[luiginb]

Southgate has more KO wins than England's last 9 bosses combined.

This Helenio Herrera of modern football.

 

[Incubajerks]

It is going to break England's heart if they lose this game.

I don't see how they can beat France, and even if they somehow get by I don't see how they can go all the way given their tradition. But maybe this is the year where even the impossible can happen.

 

[gary69]

England has some good offensive talent (as do French), and both teams have their deficiencies especially defensively and at keeper positions (Lloris isn't as good as he once was, and has always been prone to stupid mistakes).

i think it will closer than many people favouring France think, but France should edge it out eventually. Mbappe needs to have another good game for that, though.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

I'd say most of them did. Eriksson, McClaren and Capello all had the A.Cole, Terry, Ferdinand, Scholes, Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney, Owen talents. Hodgson had some of them for Euro 2012 then '14 and '16 weren't as talented.

In the 90's (Venables and Hoddle) the talent is comparable.

Having Rice and Bellingham does give a balanced midfield and team overall, something that previous England teams have lacked.

Had some talents but a lot of them overrated plus archaic tactics.

This english side is legit full of talent.

 

[Live in the Now]

The 2006 team could have won if Eriksson learned that every team had three people playing in midfield by then.

 

[Savant]

Everyone talking about the the Argentina x France rematch….what about the blursed Croatia x England rematch

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Everyone talking about the the Argentina x France rematch….what about the blursed Croatia x England rematch

It's your worst nightmare Argentina v Portugal.

Personally not taking anything for granted Croatia are a great team, well coach great experience. That midfield will ball. Its gonna be a nail bitter.

 

[Savant]

It's your worst nightmare Argentina v Portugal.

Personally not taking anything for granted Croatia are a great team, well coach great experience. That midfield will ball. Its gonna be a nail bitter.

I said the fix was in for that matchup before the tournament and they said I was crazy

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

I said the fix was in for that matchup before the tournament and they said I was crazy

I mean obviously every Argentinean goal is a fix but Portugal haven't needed it at all.

 

[Savant]

I mean obviously every Argentinean goal is a fix but Portugal haven't needed it at all.

Sure, it’s good they bailed on Ronnie (for now at least) but I haven’t forgotten the officiating in the Ghana game either. Either way, the almighty narrative rides again

 

[Bounces R Way]

England by a million

 

[Venkman]

Had some talents but a lot of them overrated plus archaic tactics.

This english side is legit full of talent.

All of them apart from Owen were key players for CL winners. Agree on the tactics.

 

[Venkman]

Had France beating England in the QF before the tournament so I'll stick with that. 2-1 France.

 

[Incubajerks]

Uhmm really liking this Mbappè scoring in the game at 5/1