Knockout Stages - Round of 32

[st albans fox]

1 hour ago, ClaphamFox said:

All the focus seems to be on the contact with the keeper, but the reason Kane was falling was because he had very clearly been shoved by the defender. 

 

https://x.com/Deanooo1990/status/2072600268789743780?s=20

This is relevant 

they must have decided that the push wasn’t sufficient for him to fall. 

given the high bar that’s been mostly applied, I’m not surprised the var didn’t recommend a review. 
 

 

[Deeg67]

It's really a shame to lose Balogun on an absolutely bogus red card. He's our most likely threat to score and pretty critical to our whole setup. But based on form we honestly should handle Belgium pretty easily. They're old, slow, and can be very predictable these days. But they're crafty and still have a couple of guys who can deliver a goal out of nothing.

 

If I'm Poch my strategy is to absolutely run them off the pitch. The US team is bigger, stronger, faster and they need to play relentlessly at a blistering pace from the opening whistle. If they let Belgium drag them into a torpid slog they can get into trouble.

[Number 6]

I actually thought that was a weak overall performance from the US compared to their other games. Lost some of the vibrancy but might have been due to the more precarious nature of the knockout stages. They were still very comfortable but I thought Bosnia were garbage and offered nothing.

 

Belgium Vs USA will be good fun though. Could make a case for either.

[ClaphamFox]

8 minutes ago, Deeg67 said:

It's really a shame to lose Balogun on an absolutely bogus red card. He's our most likely threat to score and pretty critical to our whole setup. But based on form we honestly should handle Belgium pretty easily. They're old, slow, and can be very predictable these days. But they're crafty and still have a couple of guys who can deliver a goal out of nothing.

 

If I'm Poch my strategy is to absolutely run them off the pitch. The US team is bigger, stronger, faster and they need to play relentlessly at a blistering pace from the opening whistle. If they let Belgium drag them into a torpid slog they can get into trouble.

Is there an appeal process for red cards within a World Cup? That was a horrendous decision.

[Lionator]

I’ve been surprised just how good USA have been, I suppose they do have a competent manager and based on his record there’s a good chance they’ll finish 3rd in the tournament 

[Number 6]

 

13 minutes ago, ClaphamFox said:

Is there an appeal process for red cards within a World Cup? That was a horrendous decision.

No appeal against one game ban. Could appeal against a lengthened ban of it was dished out.

[Super_horns]

1 hour ago, TheGoldenGod said:

Anyone planning to watch Mexico game on record in the morning? I can't seem to find it scheduled on my TV guide yet...

Its on the BBC presumably from about 12 to give an hours build up. 

[David Hankey]

1 hour ago, The Bear said:

I don't blame the ref at all. He made the call from the view he had, which looked right. The VAR should be stood down for a game though. 

Even a blind person could see it was a pen. Appalling decision and where was the linesman?

[MPH]

I’m not feeling total confidence for England’s next game. Sure, we can win it. But to play against Mexico, in Mexico City is bad enough, but at the altitude it’s at is a MASSIVE advantage to the Mexicans.  We will NEED a couple of goals in the first half. Second half  will see us bringing on every substitute we can.

[Super_horns]

17 minutes ago, David Hankey said:

Even a blind person could see it was a pen. Appalling decision and where was the linesman?

Wayne Rooney didn’t think it was which surprised me a lot .

[Lionator]

2 minutes ago, MPH said:

I’m not feeling total confidence for England’s next game. Sure, we can win it. But to play against Mexico, in Mexico City is bad enough, but at the altitude it’s at is a MASSIVE advantage to the Mexicans.  We will NEED a couple of goals in the first half. Second half  will see us bringing on every substitute we can.

This is it, pound for pound we’re the better team but add in altitude and home support then it’s a different game completely. They havent conceded a single goal yet, I dont think they’ve played any great teams but also the teams they’ve played aren’t mugs. 
 

It’s a shame the whole comp wasn’t in Mexico tbh and the Azteca is genuinely one of the last remaining football Mecca’s (the two Buenos Aires stadiums and San Siro but that’s getting knocked down). 

[David Hankey]

23 minutes ago, Super_horns said:

Wayne Rooney didn’t think it was which surprised me a lot .

How he's got on TV as an "expert" is even more of a surprise.

 

What does he know? You need a translator to understand him for a start.

 

[Stuntman_Mike]

I'm so envious of any England fan who will be in Mexico City next.

 

Seeing your country play Mexico at the Azteca is bucket list stuff. It doesn't get much better for fans who travel.

[Jon the Hat]

5 hours ago, FoxesWalk said:

I would not be shocked if England players have been training with oxygen deprivation masks for a while. Type of thing FA would plan for, we knew the possible route well in advance. 

Yes I hope so, otherwise this could be quite the leveller.  I would back us to beat Mexico anywhere else.

[Wymsey]

Can imagine that the England team are in/very close to Mexico now already, to try and adapt to the different conditions.

Edited 7 hours ago by Wymsey

[Jon the Hat]

Mostly looking forward to not having to watch this Mexico game in the middle of the night!  Happy days!  You guys can feel a bit of my pain for a change!

[Jon the Hat]

2 minutes ago, Wymsey said:

Can imagine that the England team are in/very close to Mexico now already, to try and adapt to the different conditions.

They are not arriving until Friday.  The science is interesting - the best time would be to arrive a few hours before the game, but they are required by FIFA to be there latest the day before.  Second best time is Friday, as the largest impact of the altitude is between day 3 and 7.  So if you can't be there over a week before, this is the next best available option.

[Footballwipe]

2 hours ago, TheGoldenGod said:

Anyone planning to watch Mexico game on record in the morning? I can't seem to find it scheduled on my TV guide yet...

It'll take a bit of time to appear - probably need to work out who has the Norway-Brazil game (probs ITV) but that'll affect the schedule.

 

The matches for the RO32 didn't appear until the day for some of the first games. It'll come up but if you want to be ultra safe set a series record for a RO32 WC match on the BBC and it should follow-on and auto record when it appears on your EPG.

[messerschmitt]

Is it no longer a yellow card offence if a player mines holding up a yellow card to the referee to infer he thinks the ref should issue a yellow card?

[filbertway]

I imagine i'm massively in a minority but I still don't think that's a Belgium pen. Senegal player is trying to play the ball and Tielemans steps in front of his leg, he proper stretches to get his leg there. If anything, to me, it's obstruction and a foul by Youri. Similar to when a full back goes to clear a ball near the corner flag and a player slides in front to block and misses it. The full back usually kicks the player and the full back will get the free kick, which is correct.

 

It was a hell of a pen though given the wait and pressure from him.

[RowlattsFox]

Getting the excuses in early but knockout rounds should be in the same country, with short turnaround of games. Maybe not so much of an issue in Spain and Portugal but if conditions are vastly different then it shouldn't happen. 

Well, it should just be in 1 country regardless to be honest. 

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

34 minutes ago, filbertway said:

I imagine i'm massively in a minority

 

You? Never!

[MPH]

Just in case anyone was in any doubt as to the task ahead..

 

 

[Muzzy_no7]

2 minutes ago, MPH said:

Just in case anyone was in any doubt as to the task ahead..

 

 

Surely the likes of Mainoo, Watkins and Rogers get minutes in this game.

 

Hell I’d even start Rogers at least.

[leicsmac]

3 minutes ago, MPH said:

Just in case anyone was in any doubt as to the task ahead..

 

 

I'm curious to know how many of those games were against top tier opposition in tournament conditions.