World Cup 2018

[Ladyboys of Bank Top]

Just now, Ewood Ace said:

But Silva & Asensio are no stronger that Iniesta and neither are in his class as a footballer.

I'd disagree on their physical strength relative to Iniesta's

[Ewood Ace]

Koke hasn't developed into the player he looked like he was going to a few years ago, Saul would be a better option for Spain.

Edited July 1, 2018 by Ewood Ace

[benhben]

There's some technically great players in this Spain team but they can be mind numbing to watch. Sideways pass after sideways pass. It's like watching Van Gaals Utd. Loads of possession but no excitement

[Baz]

Would have been a shame to concede a goal like that, but no idea why penalty not given to Spain.

[Baz]

Penalties.....

[Waggy76]

Just now, Baz said:

Would have been a shame to concede a goal like that, but no idea why penalty not given to Spain.

They are the host nation !

 

[joey_big_nose]

If I was a Spanish fan I would be livid. All that quality on the pitch but tactically Spain were poor. Kept on with the same ineffective patterns right up until the las.t ten minutes.

Game like that where the opposition is so deep you need to get the ball into the box, ideally with two strikers in there. Instead they kept on playing on front of the Russian defence. Taking Costa off as early as he did seemed very strange to me.

If they go out they've got themselves to blame.

Edited July 1, 2018 by joey_big_nose

[Baz]

Spain out, Russia through!

[Ladyboys of Bank Top]

WC gets better and better. Great drama. Well in Russia. 

[Giant]

England have the easiest route to the final of all time.

[Ladyboys of Bank Top]

Just now, Giant said:

England have the easiest route to the final of all time.

Until Tuesday! 

[Ewood Ace]

Just now, Giant said:

England have the easiest route to the final of all time.

Colombia, Russia, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and Croatia will all think the same. As Spain would have before today.

 

Koke's penalty summed his performance up & for a top goal keeper De Gea is poor at saving penalties.

[K-Hod]

Year of the underdog. That being said, Spain were absolutely pathetic at taking penalties.

[philipl]

Spain thoroughly deserved that

[JacknOry]

DA! Unreal

[arbitro]

Spain didn't appear to get over the pre tournament turmoil and now they have paid the ultimate price. In the Spanish inquest that is sure to be high on the agenda.

I saw Roberto Martinez linked with the Spanish managers job this morning. He will improve their possession stats at least.

[philipl]

Just now, Ewood Ace said:

Colombia, Russia, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and Croatia will all think the same. As Spain would have before today.

 

Koke's penalty summed his performance up & for a top goal keeper De Gea is poor at saving penalties.

Agreed- this World Cup has completely found out De Gea

From that list 

1. Croatia

2. Colombia

3. England

 

[RevidgeBlue]

Not really a victory for football as Russia had zero ambition other than to contain Spain but you can't blame them, it was Spain's job to break them down and they failed miserably in that respect.

De Gea had a nightmare in the penalty shoot out. Got to one and pushed it into the net, let another straight through him and sat down in a heap before the penalty taker took a third.

[DE.]

Hmmm. No comment on Russia/Spain. 

As for England, still have a horrible feeling we'll get beaten by Colombia.

[AdamRochina]

Spain should of had penalty towards the end ..var didn't give it .. Putin probs doing the var today haha

[roverandout]

England wont ever have a better chance of going all the way to the final now (where france will beat us). You just know we will blow it.

[Roverthechimp]

1 hour ago, Baz said:

Would have been a shame to concede a goal like that, but no idea why penalty not given to Spain.

Cynical head on: host nation in extra time

Naive head on: both sides fouling by holding and shirtgrabbing.

After a few replays i've come to the conclusion it was a likely a dollop of both ?

[roverandout]

Come on denmark..sick of these overhyped teams like croatia and spain

[RevidgeBlue]

59 minutes ago, roverandout said:

England wont ever have a better chance of going all the way to the final now (where france will beat us). You just know we will blow it.

Shame we're getting knocked out Tuesday night instead of having a stroll in the sunshine against Japan.

[Tom]

I didn’t think it was a Spain penalty myself, one of those things that happens on every corner with grappling on both sides in about 3-4 different tussles