Football World Cup - Russia 2018

[perplexed]

If to come second in the group theoretically gives England an easier route to success, is there any chance of a result of:

Belgium 3 England 0

...with Harry Kane again scoring a hat trick?

 

[Accy cyclist]

I'm with the thinking that carrying on winning would be better for momentum and moral,rather than quietly wanting to lose so they can have a supposed easier last 16 match. Anyway,who's saying we will win today against Belgium?. A draw wouldn't be bad. Then England would come second but not lose face.

 

[smutchin]

It's not just the English getting excited at Germany going out -

Mexico directly benefitted from Korea's win over Germany, so you can understand their fans feeling well-disposed towards Korean fans.

What is England's stake in this?

 

[smutchin]

A draw wouldn't be bad. Then England would come second but not lose face.

Depending on how many yellow cards are dished out today, a draw could see England finish top of the group.

 

[rich p]

Mexico directly benefitted from Korea's win over Germany, so you can understand their fans feeling well-disposed towards Korean fans.

What is England's stake in this?

I like to think that it's because it improves England's chances of progressing if highly regarded teams such as Germany or Argentina go out early.
There's also a deep-rooted antipathy towards Germany by many British people. I think it's rooted in envy at how well they've done in the sporting and economic worlds.

 

[smutchin]

I like to think that it's because it improves England's chances of progressing if highly regarded teams such as Germany or Argentina go out early.

Tbh, I think I'd rather see them play well and get knocked out by a better team than scrape through with dodgy performances. Remember 1990? England were lucky to get out of the group stage after two draws and a narrow win over Egypt. Then they scraped two more narrow wins, both in extra time, against Belgium (admittedly a fantastic goal by Platty) and Cameroon. It was only the semi-final against Germany where they played with any real panache and there was no shame in getting knocked out by them on penalties.

The 'highly regarded' thing is hugely overrated anyway. Judge teams on their current form, not history. Argentina won't win it this year. Of the 'highly regarded' teams, only Brazil seem to be picking up any forward momentum.

There's also a deep-rooted antipathy towards Germany by many British people.

Which is pretty embarrassing, really.

 

[smutchin]

fantastic goal by Platty

In case anyone needs reminding of it:

View: https://youtu.be/vBuR-I4AT-o

(Totally a dive by Gazza to win the free-kick though. And Waddle and Butcher's choreographed celebration is hilarious.)

 

[Salty seadog]

You just know which way this is going to go

What a pisser

 

[Seevio]

In case anyone needs reminding of it:

Reminding of it? If I listen carefully I can still hear people cheering.

 

[AndyRM]

 

[smutchin]

BBC Sport has a 'pick your best XI from the group stages' thing - they've not included a couple of players I would have in my team but I reckon this would be a decent line-up...

https://team-picker.files.bbci.co.uk/groupstageXI-e6a5cb463b09e0b63fa3d31497aa9b67.html

 

[Dayvo]

Today's trivia fact

In the 16th century when the Portuguese visited the country’s coast, the fishermen said “sunu gaal”, which translates into “these are our boats”. The Portuguese, who understood nothing, simply named their land “Senegal”.

 

[Reynard]

Group H comes to a conclusion with Senegal v Columbia and Japan v Poland.

Poland are already out, but any of the other three teams can go through. A point for Japan and Senegal would see them through, but Columbia will need a win - unless Japan lose, and then a draw for them could be enough.

One of these teams will be England's next opponents.

 

[smutchin]

Columbia

It's Colombia.

Columbia

It's Colombia.

Columbia

It's Colombia.

Columbia

It's Colombia.

Columbia

It's Colombia.

Columbia

It's Colombia.

Columbia

It's Colombia.

Columbia

It's Colombia.

Columbia

It's Colombia.

Columbia

It's Colombia.

Columbia

It's Colombia.

Columbia

It's Colombia.

Columbia

It's still Colombia.

Columbia

Yep, you guessed it, it's Colombia.

</flying monkey mode off>

 

[smutchin]

Today's trivia fact

In the 16th century when the Portuguese visited the country’s coast, the fishermen said “sunu gaal”, which translates into “these are our boats”. The Portuguese, who understood nothing, simply named their land “Senegal”.

Kangaroo?