2018 World Cup

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Belgium-Japan was crazy.

[SparzWizard]

Awww Mexico coach QQing that Neymar was clowning around. Suck it up, your team got beat by a better team.

That being said, that was a little B-move by Neymar lol. I hope Brazil gets bounced in the next round. Tired of them, too.

[ederson]

So Sweden reached the quarterfinals
... They have knocked out since the start of the qualifications Netherlands Italy and Germany...

Pretty good job. Against england or Colombia they have good chance to reach the semis.

[Who]

England starting off brilliantly against Colombia. Dominating possession, pressuring the ball, giving Colombia nothing to work with. Dangerous on set plays too.

[ederson]

I am a bit frustrated by Colombia... They are really missing James

[Who]

I am a bit frustrated by Colombia... They are really missing James

England are making their life miserable. Giving them nothing. Cutting off any type of counter superbly well. Forcing them to go against set defense. Colombia not really talented enough up front to create chances against 10-11 men behind the ball.

I haven't been a fan of Southgate but he has done a great job in this World Cup. England are really impressive. Difficult to play against more than anything. And capable of scrapping their way into some chances despite lacking some creativity in the middle of the park.

[ederson]

I was thinking the same about Southgate.. He was handed a tough job and faced a lot of doubt (quite underatably IMHO) and so far he has done a good job. But the way the tournament goes he has to reach the semis

[Yoki_IsTheName]

This is going to be fun! Perfect header by Yerri Mina!

[Fafnir]

What an exciting world cup.

[Who]

YES!!!!! Colombia score! 1-1! It's going to extra time!

[Who]

England should take off Henderson or Dier for a more attacking midfielder. Like Loftus Cheek.

They don't create chances well enough with 2 holding mids.

[ederson]

Why was the goal disallowed?

[Fafnir]

Why was the goal disallowed?

It was blown dead because there were two balls on the field and the Columbian side threw it in before both teams were ready or the ref signaled to resume play.

[Who]

Terrible coaching from Southgate since the equalizer.

Colombia sacrificed their 3 man defensive midfield to push men forward. That created more space in that area in central midfield. Southgate took off Sterling - a player who moves in between attacking midfield and up front - for an out-and-out striker in Vardy. Then took off Alli for Dier when trying to protect the lead. Costing his team a 2nd player who operates in that area.

So where England once had 3 players attacking those gaps they now only have 1 player -- and at a time when Colombia are more vulnerable there than before.

These were fine decisions when trying to protect the lead but Southgate has not reacted at all to his team conceding a goal. England need a goal now. Not to defend in numbers. They need to exploit that attacking midfield area. But Southgate isn't putting the players on the pitch to do that. Southgate needs to respond while their is still time.

England are a much better team than Colombia. I'd heavily fancy their chances if Southgate was proactive. But he has been inactive and he is costing his team in a big way. I don't fancy England at all in this setup.

Penalties ... I expect. Due to Southgate's ineptitude as much as anything else.

[Who]

Uribe should have been on the pitch since the start. He is the only central mid for Colombia who can move the ball and create something.

It was such a negative team selection. 3 harriers / destroyers in midfield. Providing little to no help for the front 3 to work with.