WORLD CUP 2018

quarky

Best England side since '98, no fucking doubt.

quarky

I would love to see England just reach a final, but going out in a QF playing this kind of football, I will take that.

BigBearKris

Guys... It's Panama though...

quarky

Not sure if you are kidding, but it was Costa Rica, it was Russia, it was Iceland... They could easily go out in the first knockout round, but at least they are playing well.

designerseye88

All too regularly to England struggle against mediocre opponents. Nice to see them doing so well. 

EricTheWeary

Panama have some nice touches and could have exploited holes in the England defence but they seem to have focused on stupid gamesmanship instead. Glad to see at least some of it is being punished. 

BigBearKris

quarky said:

Not sure if you are kidding, but it was Costa Rica, it was Russia, it was Iceland... They could easily go out in the first knockout round, but at least they are playing well.

Nope, not kidding.

England is showing some good football and score will probably lift some morale but the opponent is not the strongest - would you agree? They came out strong just to follow with serious of stupid mistakes, penalties and lost temper very quickly. 2nd half should be cancelled right away. Well done England, hope they won't get overconfident with the final score before playing Belgium, although both teams secured 2nd stage already, so no pressure.

Schnozz

Belgium are gonna paddle England's azz. Everyone's talking about Panama like we're scoring wonder goals. Lukaku will shred. Shred I say! To ribbons!!

menamestom

designerseye88 said:

All too regularly to England struggle against mediocre opponents. Nice to see them doing so well. 

Panama don’t look good enough to be classed as mediocre, not taking away anything from england, but Panama are one of the worst teams I’ve seen in a world cup game.

I think the team we meet in the next round will be the mediocre test.

quarky

Schnozz said:

Belgium are gonna paddle England's azz. Everyone's talking about Panama like we're scoring wonder goals. Lukaku will shred. Shred I say! To ribbons!!

He is injured apparently. I suspect both England and Belgium will do the sensible thing and rest a lot of players. Still expect Belgium to win it though, they are just such a good side.

quarky

IvanMC

Majestic players such as Lukaku, De Bruyne, Hazard or Kompany wouldn't be able to help Belgium beat England even if Terry Butcher at his age, a Harry Potter totally devoid of witchcraft, Gascoigne in a high state of inebriation and a downright wasted Maradona all muddled in an English shirt were the chosen ones to play on Thursday. England are doing great. Enjoy the show.

Nunogilberto

I don’t think Belgium are all that. Their win the other day was the first time I’ve ever seen them win convincingly. They’ve got some good individuals but for me, along with the likes of Argentina etc, they never live up to the hype.

crunchman

menamestom said:

designerseye88 said:

All too regularly to England struggle against mediocre opponents. Nice to see them doing so well. 

Panama don’t look good enough to be classed as mediocre, not taking away anything from england, but Panama are one of the worst teams I’ve seen in a world cup game.

I think the team we meet in the next round will be the mediocre test.

What does it say about the US team that they couldn't even qualify ahead of Panama?

EricTheWeary

The Belgium match is almost a dead rubber now, the pressure is off both teams. Tunisia Vs Panama might be more interesting. 
England weren't perfect today but a 6-1 win is a 6-1 win. 

sinbaadi

They'll need to iron out the sloppy mistakes and lapses in concentration.  

munckee

We look like Belgium, dangerous going forward not much at the back. 

Rocker

Great refereeing in the England -v- Panama game. Sets the standard for the other referees

menamestom

Just looking at the current odds, Belgium 4th favourites around 8/1, England 6th favourites around 10/1.    So based on the bookies, par for England is quarter finals, Belgium Semi finals.

I don’t thing there will be much between the teams, but on paper Belgium have more big game match winners.  They are very much in a golden generation and expectations are high.
England are a younger team, lower on the expectation curve, it’s probably the next world cup where English expectations should be higher, as the U21 world cup winning squad should be featuring then.

Neil

Nunogilberto said:

I don’t think Belgium are all that. Their win the other day was the first time I’ve ever seen them win convincingly. They’ve got some good individuals but for me, along with the likes of Argentina etc, they never live up to the hype.

Exactly, a team of individuals.

De bruyne and Hazard are great players but Argentina had Aguero, Messi and Higuain and it got them nowhere.

England are far more of a team and Kane is a much better striker than Lukaku.