It’s the BIG game today. I am on enemy territory but that is NOT going to stop me from engaging in the activity of BIG drinking in a local USA bar.
America is a bit weird with away fans, they kind of don’t fuss over them too much. I’ve sat at games next to away fans in a home section, and they sing. In the UK, you’d get a slap, here, they shrug. In fact, at a basketball game, I once asked why no one was going after the away fan in the home end.
‘Sir, this is a civilized country, we don’t do things like that here’
Ok.
Will that attitude carry over onto the international scene? Who knows, I’m about to find out.
All that matters this afternoon is a win, a Bukayo Saka masterclass, and no injuries to our players.
I was a little unnerved to see Neymar ruled out for the rest of the group stages with an ankle injury. This is the problem with World Cup games, subpar players can’t win, but they can be the guy that smashed up one of the best players in the world. I don’t want that happening to our players.
Brazil didn’t start with either of our two players. They rolled with Richarlison as the 9 and he scored one of the best goals I’ve seen this year. An unreal bicycle kick. Some were making the point that he only got himself into that position because of a janky first touch, but whatever, he delivered two goals. If that means he gets more minutes than Jesus, I’m not against it, though I do suspect his limitations will be exposed as the tournament progresses.
So what have we learned so far?
England, Brazil, Spain, and France are all pretty decent.
I really don’t know if anyone is head and shoulders above the rest, but at the very least, England is in with a shout.
They have to do it against USA today. The Americans aren’t in a good shape, which is odd, considering some of the talent they have. The worry is this game will be like a derby day for them, they might show up with a point to prove, and we might think it’ll be easy because the culture in the UK is write off anything America does in the beautiful game.
My gut says that this side just has too much quality these days. There are too many winners in our side. Too much technical know-how at the highest level.
… but I guess Germany thought that as well and look where they are right now. Mudded. Wiping their spectacles clean. Not good.
I also worry that Trippier and Harry aren’t the full ticket and Southgate is in fuck around / find out mode with them as he thinks they are besties. Get Benny Blanco into that backline and we’re cooking on the finest of fumes.
Little bit of Arsenal news before we go. The hot talk on the internet is that we’ll move on Danilo to cover us at #6. I honestly have no idea how good he’ll be, but Edu knows that market, and Arsenal haven’t missed too many times lately. It’s just a shame we can’t get him to our training camps early so he can bed in. Or can we? I am not sure of the rules. Anyway, one to watch!
ON THE WHISTLE AFTER THE GAME. MAKE SURE YOU TUNE IN BELOW!
1st
And
My
Tr4phy
USA! USA! USA!
Gakpo’s stock keeps rising. Fantastic strike!
Art8a
I feel it will be good for Brazil if Neymar is dropped. There are more than a few teams at this World Cup dominated by fading or faded superstars that would probably improve if they switched them for younger faster and hungrier players. Saw it in Wales with Bale and Ramsey, Brazil with Neymar, Portugal with Ronaldo and indeed Argentina with Messi. They’re not fit and fast enough to win matches on their own and this structure of teams to supply them with chances on a plate holds other people back. All a bit Auba.
Go Saka!
Blaster, Neymar is 30, and still got the goods. Was fouled incessantly per usual. On his day he is unplayable. Messi the same. Ronaldo is the only one I would say sucks ass. Went down like he was shot for a weak foul. Demands the ball all the time, throws his hands up like a spoilt child. I hate him
Americans don’t to aggression at sporting events. We get our fill doing road rage, in flight brawls and mass shootings.
Lol Tom
England should run circles around this USMNT based on talent but stranger things have happened.
Messi and Neymar are still among the top players in the world. Of course they are not anymore the force they were until a few years ago but still the best players in their respective teams.
Netherland used to have so many quality flair players in the past, the current team is very robotic in comparison.
TheBlaster, I get what you’re saying but Ronaldo and Messi are 37 and 35 respectivelly. They are not as good as before and physically they’ve been on the decline for a good while. Neymar is “barely” 30. His physical decline has not started yet. He has 18 goals and 14 assists in 1880 mins (21 games). His form has been incredible. Until he got injured yesterday and will at best be back for the 1/16 finals. He’ll be a huge, huge miss for Brazil as this version of Neymar is the best version of himself, playing for the possibly last… Read more »
With regards to Messi – yes, he’s not nearly as good as before. But he’s still class.
Ronaldo has already declined and that’s normal as he is 2 years older than Messi.
I doubt Messi will be as good as he is right now in 2 years time.
Rap
Also he is close to breaking Pele record for goals for Brazil
HE will be back. Its nothing more than a high ankle sprain
The only worry is how much he can endure all tournament,
He needs to wrap those ankles a LOT
I’m Canadian who works from home for an American firm and the banter is off the charts today with my colleagues who consider me an honourary Brit. Lots of texts and emails this morning telling me Americans are going to win today just like they did in 1776.
Soccer is making big inroads in America if random people at work feel compelled to send me messages about how much we suck and US just going to teach us a lesson like they did in the revolutionary war.
Guns,
It’s actually stunning how players like Messi and Neymar have managed to play so many games when they’ve been kicked and targeted the amount of times they have.
Read Neymar was fouled 9 times yesterday. On course to become the most fouled player in the history of World Cups with 63. Maradona holds the top 3 spots in that list – 53 in 1986, 50 in 1990, 36 in 1982. Disgusting.
Watch any highlight reel of Maradona and the fouls he took would be assault if happening outside of the stadium. Unreal some of this stuff…
I can’t see a way that the U.S can take any points today. They have some good players. But England have too much in attacking areas to not get a result tonight. I am good with Danilo if Arteta and Edu are okay with it. We need depth. And a talent from Brazil that has the attention of Monaco and Ajax is good enough for me. He seems a robust player and he seems to play a holding role to a good level. That is what we need. But I think we should go all out on an attacker if… Read more »
You won’t get abused for supporting England at a bar in the USA, Peds but try wearing a Mexico El Tri shirt and yelling Viva La Mexico a few times that might get you some abuse if your itching for a fight Americans like the English in general, despite them trying to ruin the start of our country just because we dumped some tea in the ocean. We bailed you out in WW2 didnt we,,,,,? We don’t hold grudges unless your Mexico then we build a wall, and tell you to keep that Mexican wave stuff out of here. what… Read more »
Habesha
Wales drew USA. Shit Wales.
No way USA wins today, England is loaded… if that pussy southgate allows them to attack at will then Eng can go far
It would be a bitter sweet pill to swallow if Saka scores today for the American Arsenal fans. For once though they will experience wanting Saka to miss and fail 😂😂😂. I feel like the likes of Batistuta on here celebrated that Chiellini drag down on Saka on the last euros. 😂. That was criminal but I would have celebrated if it was my country too.
I’m ok with Saka scoring, Harry Kane scoring, though will make me severely ill
Neymar was the most fouled player (26times) in Brazil 2014, while Maradona was fouled 22 times in a single match by Italy.
And those were just challenges the Romanian official deemed fouls.
By todays standards it would’ve been double that with a handful of red cards.
Let’s yes smash the Yankee swine!!! 😂 😂
Brazil not looking so great
As I said England and France are the teams to beat this year
It caaaaamin ome it’s caaaaaaamin ome its caaaamin
Footballs coming home
Engurland Engurland Engurland
America get battered everywhere they goooooo
And so do Ireland
I favor Iran to go through after England
We shit the bed when we let Wales back in.
England will get a very comfortable win. The US doesn’t know how to score and lacks goal scorers. The Goalkeeper won’t survive 90 minutes of quality football.
Haha Un… probably gonna happen unfortunately Unless Matt Turner suddenly turns into prime GiGi Buffon The good news for me is apparently Iran gave us a lifeline so this game is a nothing to lose go for it game now So I’m hoping for a decent match mostly
That’s right Midwest, the revolutionary war of 1776 bantz is such old hat.
If it wasn’t for the damn yanks Saka and Kane would be banging them in for the German Empire
Yep,Tom, German is such a harsh language to learn too… I took a few semesters of it in College and Can’t say as any of it really stuck.
These Ecuadorian team is filled with hungry ballers
Mid Mate you could Nick a result here, then beat Iran It’s never a forgone conclusion in football, especially not world cups as recent results have shown This is a grudge match with a closest allies. Let’s see if we can maintain that special relationship 😝 Love actually joke there to prepare us for the festive season Don’t laugh You’ve all been made t watch it by the Mrs-es (plural for Mrs obviously) And Tom, before you chime in, we invented the language, we can do with it as we please. If you don’t like it then invent your own… Read more »
Yeah Ecuador look a decent side.
Un, lol, you’re barking up the wrong tree buddy, I’m a big Anglophile…….. from football, cinema, and even your overpriced, beautiful but not so great hand build Aston Martins I’m losing my ass on.
Tom
I love Aston Martin but…… I’d really like a mustang
My 2 cars of choice
Tom yeah but you can’t resist swooping in with a snotty language based insult/quip so I thought I’d build that wall before you tried it
I will want Arsenal to go and get Joao Felix of Athletico Madrid.
I do not think Nketia can fill in for Jesus, in case He has a dip in form.
On the previous discussion about Turner. I was dead against the signing, but I don’t see where Emirates gets the “average” tag from. He’s played well enough in his opportunities so far. If he’s the best or one of the best in a weak American league, that counts for something. He hasn’t done anything to make him look worse for us yet. I saw some stats the other day on reddit, I think he’s ranked possibly the best shot stopper in the world on some metrics (sorry I didn’t save it). He came out and swept up a couple times… Read more »
Un-
If we win today that would be the biggest upset win in our history … hands down. Bigger then beating Spain the reigning European Champs at that time in the 2009 Conferation Cup semi-finals or beating England in the 1950’s World Cup, or Beating Colombia to advance out of the group in 1994
So what Im saying is no Chance hahaha I give it maybe a 10% chance of a draw best case scenario
Un, new Vantage easily the most striking design for under $200k, and also easily the worst” investment”
Mid
Could happen mate
You keep Saka and Bellingham quiet the we are relying on kane to provide for Sterling
Sterling cannot create on his own
Valencia will be a huge loss for them
6 minutes injury time about teh least amount I have seen
I would say Senegal is in trouble in Group A despite winning today, Ecuador isn’t easy to beat
Un November 25, 2022 17:11:33 Brazil not looking so greatAs I said England and France are the teams to beat this year Un what did you watch last night? Brazil took time to break down a good Serbia team. But in the 2nd half they slaughtered them. They hit the post twice, they scored 2, Raphinha had at least 2 clear cut chances. They looked very good. They limited Serbia to little clear cut chances while playing the whole match in Serbia’s half. England have good midfield and attacking options. But the defense is a joke. The likes of Maguire,… Read more »
Just saw footage of USNT bus making their way to the stadium on what looked like closed to all traffic highway.
Looks like the Qataris take their security concerns seriously.
They are playing in that tent stadium too I was reading after the WC its going to be dissassmbled and turned into a park. It was made specifically for that purpose easy to take apart
Midwest, Ecuador is the Arsenal of this WC.
Sarmiento 20yo, Caicedo 21, Plata 22, Estupinan 24, Hincapie 20, all starters
Midwest
I can only imagine. I saw Richarlison score a worldie yesterday and I couldn’t enjoy it because he is a spud cunt. I can imagine if a spus player scored against your country.
Ok then Im going to go get my drink on, USA USA USA and all that.
I don’t mean their talent has in any way declined. It’s pace and fitness. The speed to lose a marker and the strength and indeed acceleration not to be bullied or marked out of a match. In that Brazil match the most dangerous player looked to be Vinicius Jr.. Neymar seemed to just sit there and wait for it on a plate, not really running off the ball and dragging markers out of place. Have any of them (recently) succeeded in the tight spaces against an intense and well drilled pressing team ?
UP THE USA!
Habesha
Either England or France will win this tournament
Trusts my prediction
North squads are a cut above Brazil
Habs
Who says they are clear favourites? England could have scored another 3 vs Iran who beat wales
Plus we took our foot off once we scored a couple in the second half
If we really turned the screw it could have been double figures 🏴 🏴 🏴
Goooood saaaaave ooooour kiiiiiing
I think I’m falling in love with Jude Bellingham
The kid is next next level
Just watching this little itv bit on him
Lovely lad
Come on your bastards
Where are you???
Get on line and let me wind you up about how great my nation is at football
Karen Carney is beyond irritating
How has she got in to our game 🤦🏻♂️
USA to win 1-1
4-1 England
What’s with this stupid bird rapping
Whatever happened to oasis
Forced culture 180 on full display
Last time I watch the build up it’s sickening
As a neutral, this will be fun on here tonight.
Let the battle begin !
Balogun would have been leading the USA attack if he had picked to represent USA. Imo a big mistake in his career unless one day he manages to lead the English attack. Then I’d be happy to say I was wrong.
Even America don’t take the knee anymore
How embarrassing
lol even only England bend the knee
more American than America
Pragmatically, the crutch US game is against Iran.
Problem is we wont have key players available for the Iran game because of yellow cards from this game.
*Crunch game
I have to add that Balogun hasn’t officially picked England and until he represents them at senior level he can still pick USA. Just sounds like a huge waste as if he had already picked USA he’d be playing in this World Cup.
Un They are favourites if you look at their squad. They have too many players that are superstars. Did you see the players they subbed in? Those players are as good as England’s attackers. And they have a much better defense. Marquinos and Thiago Silva along with Alisson are much better than whatever player England will use in this tournament. And that is why they are favourites, because they have a really good defense this time. I am glad you have faith in your country but I see heart break for England again. France also will fall short in my… Read more »
Woah.. So close haha
Saka’s brilliance always amazes me. That was perfectly set up for Kane.
Habesha
Foden and Saka are as good/effective as any wide forward Brazil have
Twinkle toes Slabhead
would love to watch England vs Brazil again like 20 years ago
Don with his English glasses again.
Surely Saka and Foden are on the level of Neymar and Vinicius Jr. Okay…
Un
Exactly. Are they clearly better though? And as a group of attackers, who do you think has better depth? Wilson or Jesus? Rodrygo or Rasford? Martinelli and Grealish is a debate. They still have Antony as a backup on top. Even if this is even, Brazil’s defense and keeper as a group are clearly better. I would say the midfield is a bit balanced. Casemiro is better than rice but Bellingham is better than Paqueta. Still they Guimaraes who is absolute quality.
Defense wins titles after all. Maguire and Shaw will be found out at some point.
Pickford isn’t a top keeper either. “He has never let England down isn’t a thing”. He hasn’t until he does. Same for Maguire.
Trippier has been awful so far.
To be fair, Kane is clearly better than Richarlison. Other than that, may be you could make a case for Saka over Raphinha. Other positions are clearly in favour of Brazil. Foden isn’t on Neymar’s level and neither is Sterling on Vinicius at this point. And the backups are all a bit better imo.
Why is Mount starting over Foden or Grealish? Boggles my mind.
Nearly for Mckennie.
Wow, that was a chance
Mount is utter shite!
When we have the ball there is fuck all movement up front…walking pace
So far I have been impressed by this US midfield. Musa, Adam’s and Mckennie are doing well.
Habs
Casemiro isn’t better than rice looool
Our mf is superior
Of defence is superior
Our no9 is superior
Out wide players are on par
They have better keepers
Get V junior and neymar in the prem and see how good they are when they aren’t in a team that can easily dominate t the league
Pulisic off the post.
Man the US are giving it a go here 😂. So close from Pulisic.
We are looking shit, loose ball cheaply not enough aggression getting it back….
Mid
Told ya
USA could nick a result
Un
Okay 😂😂😂.
Oooof, nearly a golazo from Pulisic.
USA looking the brighter team tbh.
Rice better than Casemiro is funny. And having a superior defense when they have Thiago Silva and Marquinos while having Maguire is blind. Whatever floats your boat though.
I’ve always thought that Rice was pretty average to be honest, especially when compared to actual great England midfielders like Gerrard, Lampard, Scholes, Gazza, etc.
Lol must be some superior country crack un is about. Would be hilarious to have the best team possible and not win it
Ponderous England, everything they do lacks sharpness