Even though I slagged Sweden before, England have been possibly even worse at scoring from open play, so sadly their QF could be even worse than this game was. Maybe not as embarrassing, but it certainly looks like a very poor game on paper.
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Even though I slagged Sweden before, England have been possibly even worse at scoring from open play, so sadly their QF could be even worse than this game was. Maybe not as embarrassing, but it certainly looks like a very poor game on paper.
we'll see but historically England and Sweden are high scoring, entertaining games.
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Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
Even though I slagged Sweden before, England have been possibly even worse at scoring from open play, so sadly their QF could be even worse than this game was. Maybe not as embarrassing, but it certainly looks like a very poor game on paper.
They have been one of the top teams at the tourney in xg, which is goals from open play
England on their display today are the weakest team left in the tournament.
I don’t know - they were composed and handled the game for the most part for 90 minutes then got scored on in the 93rd. Also wouldn’t discount creating penalties - with VAR and the way PKs have been called this tournament they will likely play a big role as the final 8 play out.
I feel like world cup tournament winners usually slog their way through a couple games like this one especially in the round of 16. (2014- Germany needed extra time to beat Algeria, 2010- Spain needed a questionable Villa goal in the 63rd minute for 1-0 vs Portugal, 2006 - Italy had the 95th minute 1-0 win vs. Australia in 06, 1998-France needed extra time to beat Paraguay)
If I had to rank final 8 in likelihood of winning it would go:
Tier 1: Clear Favourites - Elite teams that have a recent history of winning
Brazil
France
Tier 2: Elite talent but usually find a way to choke on the big stage
Croatia
Belgium
Tier 3: Lots of skill but not quite elite and some ???
England
Uruguay
Tier 4: Probably a miracle if they win the World Cup
Sweden (Played well and probably don’t deserve to be grouped in with Russia)
Russia
Last edited by SuperMatt18; 07-03-2018 at 03:41 PM.
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I've said it for a handful of years, and hopefully won't have to again for England (lol). Jordan Henderson is a mid-table, dullard-pedestrian midfielder. He can defend, but so can James Milner.
England will continue to get exposed when he is on the field.
I've said it for a handful of years, and hopefully won't have to again for England (lol). Jordan Henderson is a mid-table, dullard-pedestrian midfielder. He can defend, but so can James Milner.
England will continue to get exposed when he is on the field.
Im not a Henderson fan but that penalty was hit hard and labelled to that bottom corner - Ospina just got a great jump on it and read it perfectly to make a great save.
Also Sweden's goal today looked a little too familiar to me... (skip to 57 seconds)
Last edited by SuperMatt18; 07-03-2018 at 03:26 PM.
Im not a Henderson fan but that penalty was hit hard and labelled to that bottom corner - Ospina just got a great jump on it and read it perfectly to make a great save.
yes and it surprised me how Ospina got less of a good jump on the last penalty. Just a bit of doubt there.
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Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
Im not a Henderson fan but that penalty was hit hard and labelled to that bottom corner - Ospina just got a great jump on it and read it perfectly to make a great save.
Also Sweden's goal today looked a little too familiar to me... (skip to 57 seconds)
No. For placing his shot, he side-footed that far too weak for how easy a read he was. He’s so basic in his delivery. Has he ever wrong-wayed a keeper?
“derp, Kane and Rashford went left I better go right.”
The Henderson slagging is interesting, general consensus outside of here seems to be he's been England's best player along with Maguire. Granted England have been poor for the most part, but still he's not been as bad as it's made to seem here.
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