Italy scores with the last kick of the match to draw and go into the knockout stages and Croatia is out.
That was pretty amazing. Ref adds 8 (which I didn't see coming, I thought 5, maybe 6) and Italy scores on a beautiful goal in the 98th - literally the last kick of the match.
Poland, but they are mediocre and also had a tough group. Zielinski is my boy! We have the same first name and his surname is my paternal grandmother's maiden name.
wow - who saw Austria winning a group that included
Germany, Spain, Portugal, and France now all on the top half of the bracket. Significant break for England, despite looking pretty disjointed. If they can finish top of their group their path to the final got much easier.
Germany, Spain, Portugal, and France now all on the top half of the bracket. Significant break for England, despite looking pretty disjointed. If they can finish top of their group their path to the final got much easier.
England not looking particularly dangerous against Slovenia.
but England's biggest problem is Bellingham. It's a two-pronged problem:
1. He's clearly exhausted after a long season
2. Bellingham + Foden + Kane doesn't work. They're all trying to play as #10. And with Trippier a right footed LB England's attack doesn't have a left side.
Memories of England trying to shoe horn Gerrard, Lampard, and Scholes into the same side...
2. Bellingham + Foden + Kane doesn't work. They're all trying to play as #10. And with Trippier a right footed LB England's attack doesn't have a left side.
This. Three great players, not playing well together at all.
The roster they brought simply isn't as good as the British media would make you believe. Top-heavy and lots of ill-fitting pieces compared to the 2021 team - Shaw, Maguire, Rashford, Watkins, Sancho, Grealish all had bad seasons/transfers. Foden's got to go and start Mainoo in there to shore up midfield.
Would be funny if Wout Weghorst gets them in the next round.
Biggest upset in Euro's history, #74 beats #6 (albeit with some starters sitting). Great story, qualifying for the knockout round in their first ever Euro.
Biggest upset in Euro's history, #74 beats #6 (albeit with some starters sitting). Great story, qualifying for the knockout round in their first ever Euro.
It is great for Georgia. That said, it was Portugal's second string and Spain's first string is up next. But, as they say, the ball is round ...
Biggest upset in Euro's history, #74 beats #6 (albeit with some starters sitting). Great story, qualifying for the knockout round in their first ever Euro.
It is great for Georgia. That said, it was Portugal's second string and Spain's first string is up next. But, as they say, the ball is round ...
Georgia exposed POR’s weakness: their back line depth. They have no reliable center backs behind Ruben Dias and 41 yo Pepe. Once they gave up that early goal their famous forward and midfield talent had to deal with 9 Georgians crowding the box.
While they are in-between generations and had some injuries - particularly in defense - outside of the 2020/2021 Euro run they haven't been that good for a long time. For years you knew how Italy was going to play with the Juve/Milan players as the spine in the 2000s. Now a reset is needed.
yup, ended 2-1 England. Feel bad for Slovakia, they played a good 95 minutes. But a bicycle kick goal in the 96th minute? Pretty incredible. Then Kane does what he does. Spain v. Georgia coming on now.
Exept them to put a couple more in second half. Hopefully not jinxing them.
Bellingham bailed out England but it's clear Southgate is the wrong manager and doesn't have a feel for what 11 play best together rather than playing the best 11. Maguire of all people would have been a better fit in the back 4 but instead they brought Luke Shaw along. Too many CAMs.
I will say one thing though, Georgia is one good countering team
need effort and hustle to unsettle Slovenia sitting back in their 4-4-2. POR players need to creat chances for each other instead of creating chances for CR7
Ronaldo and his antics - including taking the PK in Extra Time when Bruno is far better these days - matched by Martinez and his substitutions. Portugal-France looking like a stale QF instead of a semi or final.
Diogo Costa, keeper for Porto and newest Portuguese national hero: “ I went with my gut feeling. Of course, we had analysed the penalty takers, but players change and they change how they shoot I am very happy and very excited to have helped the team." Link - ( New Window )
in a driving rain and imo the best, most gripping match of the tournament thus far. TUR with two goals from CB Demiral, both off headers on set pieces. The 2nd to my eyes off an incorrectly awarded CK.
Tragic for AUS as it dominated possession and attack in 2H with TUR GK Günok making terrific save off Baaumgartner with seconds remaining in stoppage, hard to overestimate difficulty with the sodden ball and turf. Only AUS 3rd loss in ~20 months, but mgr should have subbed in Gregoritsch much earlier as the two strikers (Baumgartner) up top changed the entire flow of the match.
Crazy that tomorrow left side of the bracket has GER - ESP and FRA - POR which likely presents a SF and Finals…nominally. TUR are gritty and fast, defend doggedly. TUR and NED may be the two best on that side of bracket based on play to date though I’m aware of ENG partisans here (:
That was pretty amazing. Ref adds 8 (which I didn't see coming, I thought 5, maybe 6) and Italy scores on a beautiful goal in the 98th - literally the last kick of the match.
Kudos to Croatia though - they almost did it.
The drama in soccer is the best imv.
Last second goal on a beautiful kick…crazy
England not looking particularly dangerous against Slovenia.
As a Spain supporter I hope things line up for them to play England. They just look a mess.
1. He's clearly exhausted after a long season
2. Bellingham + Foden + Kane doesn't work. They're all trying to play as #10. And with Trippier a right footed LB England's attack doesn't have a left side.
Memories of England trying to shoe horn Gerrard, Lampard, and Scholes into the same side...
2. Bellingham + Foden + Kane doesn't work. They're all trying to play as #10. And with Trippier a right footed LB England's attack doesn't have a left side.
This. Three great players, not playing well together at all.
Would be funny if Wout Weghorst gets them in the next round.
Which is good for England, Italy and the Netherlands, who are on the right-hand side.
And it would be something if Austria advances, they've been the surprise so far.
It is great for Georgia. That said, it was Portugal's second string and Spain's first string is up next. But, as they say, the ball is round ...
Quote:
Biggest upset in Euro's history, #74 beats #6 (albeit with some starters sitting). Great story, qualifying for the knockout round in their first ever Euro.
It is great for Georgia. That said, it was Portugal's second string and Spain's first string is up next. But, as they say, the ball is round ...
Georgia exposed POR’s weakness: their back line depth. They have no reliable center backs behind Ruben Dias and 41 yo Pepe. Once they gave up that early goal their famous forward and midfield talent had to deal with 9 Georgians crowding the box.
Germany-Denmark up next.
Match suspended for now, due to thunderstorm...
wish the format was set up to avoid this
Slovakia has played great but that was a great goal indeed
yup, ended 2-1 England. Feel bad for Slovakia, they played a good 95 minutes. But a bicycle kick goal in the 96th minute? Pretty incredible. Then Kane does what he does. Spain v. Georgia coming on now.
Bellingham bailed out England but it's clear Southgate is the wrong manager and doesn't have a feel for what 11 play best together rather than playing the best 11. Maguire of all people would have been a better fit in the back 4 but instead they brought Luke Shaw along. Too many CAMs.
Typical of Deschamps but I still don't see it with France this time around. Rabiot out for the Quarters - do we get Camavinga and Tchuoameni together?
That was something.
Quote:
Holy shit
That was something.
Diogo Costa, keeper for Porto and newest Portuguese national hero: “ I went with my gut feeling. Of course, we had analysed the penalty takers, but players change and they change how they shoot I am very happy and very excited to have helped the team."
Link - ( New Window )
Tragic for AUS as it dominated possession and attack in 2H with TUR GK Günok making terrific save off Baaumgartner with seconds remaining in stoppage, hard to overestimate difficulty with the sodden ball and turf. Only AUS 3rd loss in ~20 months, but mgr should have subbed in Gregoritsch much earlier as the two strikers (Baumgartner) up top changed the entire flow of the match.
Crazy that tomorrow left side of the bracket has GER - ESP and FRA - POR which likely presents a SF and Finals…nominally. TUR are gritty and fast, defend doggedly. TUR and NED may be the two best on that side of bracket based on play to date though I’m aware of ENG partisans here (:
Let's go!