World Cup 2026

[AndyRM]

There is always one.
Why bother telling the press about this? Who cares, it’s just advertising to the whole world that you’re a knob.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq616emqr51o

A) That's not huge

7) If he paid £550 for it, the "artist" saw him coming, because that's pish

#) I really hope they follow up if England don't win

At least if England don't win, the text below is easy to cover up, although I see he's already got a "witty" plan for that.

 

[No Ta Doctor]

I know it’s not cheating by an individual, but. The most egregious error that still annoys me is the Hamilton Verstappen debacle.

It was clear manipulation of the rules by the governing body.

And the fact that Verstappen and his team/fans were prepared to stand and defend something so wrong really pissed me off.

I think there's a difference between cheating and fixing. The first is breaking the rules in order to try and win, the second is manipulating or bypassing them entirely (ref bribing etc) to ensure a desired outcome. In one case it's largely the sport's officials that have a duty to try and catch you, in the second it's the officials themselves that change the result.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

It's Sport, not War - therefore it's not Win At All Costs. Unfortunately there will be grey areas, but as it's not life-n-death, it's ok to have different views, or even make compromises. It's also not like cyclists taking EPO; you CAN win clean.

So I'm ok with my players occasionally kicking someone a bit, or exaggerating a trip to get a pen. But if we win by a Hand-of-God incident, I'd be genuinely torn, and would regard it as a tainted trophy. Likewise with something like eye-gouging (not sure the soccer equivalent!).

Other views are available, and that's fine!

Agree, nothing wrong with a bit of dark arts, every team does it, but a win that game from blatant cheating a la Diego, would always be tainted for me.

 

[UglyWithaSidePart]

I'm not seeing any of this apparent 'bias' towards Argentina by the ref so far.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

I'm not seeing any of this apparent 'bias' towards Argentina by the ref so far.

Ref has been excellent.

 

[Beebo]

England can’t defend deep on a 1-0 lead.
When will we ever learn.

 

[Blazing Saddles]

I feel your pain. So near yet so far.
Still, better to lose without extra time and the dreaded penalty shootout.

 

[C R]

So, just back from a ride, and see that Argentina are through. Quick summary for someone who doesn't know much about football, did the winners deserve it?

 

[briantrumpet]

Good job it's only a game.

 

[briantrumpet]

So, just back from a ride, and see that Argentina are through. Quick summary for someone who doesn't know much about football, did the winners deserve it?

Bluesky seemed to think that England & Tuchel got the tactics wrong after scoring the first goal, thinking they could defend that for the rest of the match. But couldn't.

 

[AndyRM]

So, just back from a ride, and see that Argentina are through. Quick summary for someone who doesn't know much about football, did the winners deserve it?

Yes.

After taking the lead England sat way too deep and tried to defend for half an hour, which is mental.

 

[Pblakeney]

Yes.

After taking the lead England sat way too deep and tried to defend for half an hour, which is mental.

Good summary.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Yes.

After taking the lead England sat way too deep and tried to defend for half an hour, which is mental.

Feels very much like a missed opportunity. Argentina really just looked to spoil until England scored and carried little threat. As we have all said over on CC, they just invited Argentina to take control of the game and the result was inevitable. A bit more bravery and tactical nous and England would be in a WC final.

Special mention for Djed Spence. He took a lot of stick from idiots and showed them up in the best possible way with his performances.

 

[spen666]

Argentina deserved to go through. They did wa/hat was needed and scored more goals than England.

New season starts soon - World Cup is history

 

[Pblakeney]

Have to say that Rooney's post match analysis was spot on.
I still wouldn't want him to manage my team but credit where it is due.

PS - My earlier analysis of Kane seems to have panned out. Everyone cottoned on to his tactics and he was completely ineffectual in the last 2 games.