Knockout Stages - Round of 16

[Bert]

It’s so good to finally have a national team to be proud of 

[Finnegan]

1 hour ago, RowlattsFox said:

Critics and other countries will probably say Mexico aren't a strong team and we will need to be better to beat the best, and they are probably right but that win was about character, fight and pride for the shirt. 

 

Mexico were average and had very little variety to their play. 

 

France made hard work of a Norway side that made 10 changes to rest everyone, even harder work of a Paraguay side that fought for their lives. 

 

Being better than a team on paper doesn't guarantee an easy game. You'd beat Mexico probably nine times out of ten in a neutral stadium in Europe somewhere in the winter. 

 

But you had a altitude, the summer, the hosts and a red card to deal with and came out of it pretty well. Don't think many people will be dismissing that result tbf. 

 

[Tommy Fresh]

3 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

 

France made hard work of a Norway side that made 10 changes to rest everyone, even harder work of a Paraguay side that fought for their lives. 

 

Being better than a team on paper doesn't guarantee an easy game. You'd beat Mexico probably nine times out of ten in a neutral stadium in Europe somewhere in the winter. 

 

But you had a altitude, the summer, the hosts and a red card to deal with and came out of it pretty well. Don't think many people will be dismissing that result tbf. 

 

Did France make hard work of that Norway game? 

[JonnyZeroFox]

1 hour ago, RowlattsFox said:

Critics and other countries will probably say Mexico aren't a strong team and we will need to be better to beat the best, and they are probably right but that win was about character, fight and pride for the shirt. 

 

Mexico were average and had very little variety to their play. 

Facts.. it was 7200ft up, they had acclimatised.. Mexico tried every dark art to beat us. We won, that is heroic.. France beat Paraguay just:: and it was nothing like this 

[VinceNoir]

Got a couple hours of sleep in but wasn't easy after that. I felt like I aged 10 years during that 2nd half. 

 

Great subs from Tuchel and quality to see Gordon finally deliver the goods. When he's on form, he's a much better player than Rashford imo. Mexico weren't all that. Adrenaline took them far, but Bellingham's two goals showed the difference in class, and while the last 20-30 minutes were stressful, they hardly created anything. It was like defence drills for the lads at the back. 

 

Looking forward to Norway!

[RowlattsFox]

These days and definitely since VAR, the Kane one is nearly always given. 

Don't really like that a player can put his leg in-front of someone about to kick the ball and get the foul but in slow motion its always given. 

 

I don't know if it's just coincidence but I don't like that VAR only seems to want to get involved when the bench is up and complainig, especially when they've seen a video. 

[RowlattsFox]

2 minutes ago, VinceNoir said:

Got a couple hours of sleep in but wasn't easy after that. I felt like I aged 10 years during that 2nd half. 

 

Great subs from Tuchel and quality to see Gordon finally deliver the goods. When he's on form, he's a much better player than Rashford imo. Mexico weren't all that. Adrenaline took them far, but Bellingham's two goals showed the difference in class, and while the last 20-30 minutes were stressful, they hardly created anything. It was like defence drills for the lads at the back. 

 

Looking forward to Norway!

Gordon is better defensively and with his link up, but Rashford is the bigger goal threat. 

[Finnegan]

6 minutes ago, Tommy Fresh said:

Did France make hard work of that Norway game? 

 

Yeah the score was pretty flattering to France. There were some absolutely bonkers moments at both ends. Could easily have been 3-3 by the middle of the second half. 

 

[The Horse's Mouth]

I just hope stones starts, do think Konsa will get run ragged again 

[RowlattsFox]

1 minute ago, The Horse's Mouth said:

I just hope stones starts, do think Konsa will get run ragged again 

Imagine Konsa will be at right back. Unless Spence plays there. 

[Spudulike]

Was their penalty clear and obvious? VAR should not have been involved. It's a contact sport with both players going for a 50-50 ball. 

[StanSP]

Watching the highlights back. 

 

What a performance . 

 

So many key moments outside of the goals and controversial points. 

 

Pickford's saves from Jimenez. He was actually quite commanding in his box especially when the pressure was mounting towards end of the game. Bellingham's block/tackle almost on the line. The countless blocks from Burn, Rice, Stones. 

 

Epic game, one for the ages. 

[Aleksz]

1 hour ago, Lionator said:

Game was well refereed too I think despite tuchel’s moaning 

He got the big decisions right just about but his overall management of the occasion was abysmal. He was determined to be the total centre of attention.

[JonnyZeroFox]

7 minutes ago, Spudulike said:

Was their penalty clear and obvious? VAR should not have been involved. It's a contact sport with both players going for a 50-50 ball. 

It’s a harsh penalty, Kane plays the ball, just their defender gets there first, like you said 50/50.. not called anywhere else on the pitch. Kane doesn’t even know he is coming. But yes harsh very harsh, but it’s a penalty these days with var… 

[Pliskin]

Thought Tuchel’s tactics and selections were spot on too. I really wasn’t sure about him, but yesterday under the first real bit of pressure he got it spot on.

[RowlattsFox]

Someone definitely had a word with Pickford at half time because he came for everything second half. Wasn't necessarily convincing but he got something on most things. 

[Spudulike]

4 minutes ago, JonnyZeroFox said:

It’s a harsh penalty, Kane plays the ball, just their defender gets there first, like you said 50/50.. not called anywhere else on the pitch. Kane doesn’t even know he is coming. But yes harsh very harsh, but it’s a penalty these days with var… 

A decision made by those who have probably never played the game. 

[jayfox26]

[Guest]

I thought the ref did well enough at what must have been a pretty difficult job and ultimately I felt all the big calls ended up going the right way.

 

Tired now but glad I stayed up. Kane and Bellingham are superstars.

[jayfox26]

What's the ruling about VAR and goals from free kicks? Their first goal clearly wasnt a foul by Saka and the resulting free kick ended up with them scoring. If that non foul isnt clear and obvious, then how is the Kane pen clear and obvious. Doesn't matter now, but it is concerning that there is still a huge issue with var and refereeing

[Pliskin]

The biggest plaudits have to go to Henderson, yellow card and stretchered off without playing a minute.  

[EastAnglianFox]

Stones and Guehi know Haaland better than most so do you go with them in the middle?

 

Just re-watched the highlights and how good were Spence and big Dan Burn aswell, imagine being thrown on into that and being up to speed straight away, you have a very impressive manager I must say.

[FoxesWalk]

4 minutes ago, EastAnglianFox said:

Stones and Guehi know Haaland better than most so do you go with them in the middle?

 

Just re-watched the highlights and how good were Spence and big Dan Burn aswell, imagine being thrown on into that and being up to speed straight away, you have a very impressive manager I must say.

All of the subs were excellent. Gordon, Bellingham both exceptional. Nobody had a bad game; even Quansah who was very good before that unfortunate tackle… if FIFA are consistent then he should have his ban suspended as Balogun did, very similar situation 

[Fox92]

10 minutes ago, Pliskin said:

The biggest plaudits have to go to Henderson, yellow card and stretchered off without playing a minute.  

Only last week you and others were slagging them all off and saying how rubbish we are.

[Trent Steel]

33 minutes ago, Spudulike said:

Was their penalty clear and obvious? VAR should not have been involved. It's a contact sport with both players going for a 50-50 ball. 

No should not of been a pen