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Re: World Cup 2026

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2026 9:44 am
by Audrey Horne
I think we will win, as long as we keep it tight for first 15 mins, as i am sure they will try to smash us early on.

Re: World Cup 2026

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2026 9:58 am
by Goaljira
I can't see a win the way the defence looks, and as such I'm struggling to be motivated to find a way of watching it given the kick off time.

Re: World Cup 2026

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2026 10:52 am
by TheRam
Feels other worldly this game.

The stadium, the altitude, the time it’s on, the threat of thunder storms, their crazy fans.

Very envious of young people with no responsibility who can take it all in and will have an incredible World Cup core memory no matter what happens.

Only thing that’s come close is when we played Brazil in 2002.

I’ll be watching. Hoping there’s no delays or extra time but I feel like we are in for the long haul.

England through imo. I think Tuchel has a plan and a team for this stage of the tournament now and what we’ve seen so far is him figuring things out.

Every chance we are just a bit shit though.

Re: World Cup 2026

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2026 11:17 am
by Cereal Killer
More importantly, Haaland v Brazil at 9!

Re: World Cup 2026

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2026 11:43 am
by NickNack
Goaljira wrote: Sun Jul 05, 2026 9:58 am I can't see a win the way the defence looks, and as such I'm struggling to be motivated to find a way of watching it given the kick off time.
Same for me

I can’t see England winning if the defence perform as they have so far

Re: World Cup 2026

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2026 12:16 pm
by cassius
I honestly can't call it. England should win, but there are significant factors going against them.

I'm sure Tuchel has a plan, I'm just not convinced the players can successfully carry it out.

It was quite telling how different they played after the hydration breaks, suggesting that they need in game direction from Tuchel because they can't work it out for themselves.

Re: World Cup 2026

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2026 12:30 pm
by Mouse
Got back from holiday last night (brilliant, thanks) so, this was the first live football i’ve watched. I loved it, the ref was shite but you can’t blame Paraguay for that. They defended superbly and did everything they could to disrupt and discomfort the French and it very nearly worked. Yes, I’d have been mighty pissed off if I was French but it was hardly Pele getting kicked out of the 66 World Cup. I doubt Mbappe had many more bruises than he does after most games.

Re: World Cup 2026

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2026 1:00 pm
by bigmanbob
Paraguay were a disgrace. Absolute shithouses

Re: World Cup 2026

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2026 1:11 pm
by Blueomar
No idea who wins Eng v Mex, I like both teams so really don't have a preference. The atmosphere is going to be bananas!

Re: World Cup 2026

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2026 1:23 pm
by Sir Stealth
Fully expect England to crumble under the pressure. Think Mexico will take a lead early on and comfortably defend it

Re: World Cup 2026

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2026 1:28 pm
by Matt1878
3-1 Mexico

Re: World Cup 2026

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2026 1:54 pm
by kramer
Could go certainly behind early but I think Mexico tend to run themselves into the ground early and might struggle with the lump it to Toney approach should England get desperate.

Ecuador managed to generate some threat that way with a much lesser group of attackers.

Re: World Cup 2026

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2026 1:57 pm
by AjaxAndy
cassius wrote: Sun Jul 05, 2026 12:16 pm I honestly can't call it. England should win, but there are significant factors going against them.

I'm sure Tuchel has a plan, I'm just not convinced the players can successfully carry it out.

It was quite telling how different they played after the hydration breaks, suggesting that they need in game direction from Tuchel because they can't work it out for themselves.
Have you seen the clip from the second game where he's just shouting 'Jed, Jed, JED, JED!!!' Gesticulating wildly at him to do what he's been instructed to, and all Spence does is look at him and shrug.

I feel that one clip kind of sums up how it's gone for England. The manager clearly has a plan and the players seem afraid to trust it and execute it.

Re: World Cup 2026

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2026 2:55 pm
by Mouse
bigmanbob wrote: Sun Jul 05, 2026 1:00 pm Paraguay were a disgrace. Absolute shithouses
They did as much as they were allowed get away with. You want a high horse to ride then have a go at the ref. I can’t remember more than one or two “bad” tackles, you’d get that in many a PL game. The rest was nothing more than professional gamesmanship. They’d probably agree with your assessment “absolute shithouses”…and revel in it!

Is there a bit of the “cheating Johnny Foreigner” in the faux outrage in some of the media? I’m sure I’ve seen scuffing the penalty spot a few times in the prem, then there’s City’s knack of fouling 10 yards either side of the half-way line, players going down to break the rhythm of a game, etc. At least Paraguay could argue there’s an Atlantic Ocean sized gulf in quality between them and France, what would be City or the Shite’s excuse for their practising the “dark arts” against us, for example?

Re: World Cup 2026

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2026 4:00 pm
by weimaranerblues
Julián Quiñones will rip it up tonight especially if up against Jarell Quansah. Spence a doubt

Got an ominous feeling for the game ,
We haven't had a dodgy call go against us for a while , Lampards no goal , Sol Campbell's disallowed goal, Rooney and Becks sending off , to name a few ...
pessimistic I know but thSts the Everton in me...