It's England's to lose.

Iused2likebusts

If england meet Colombia in the last 16 I reckon they will go out then. They have faced two teams that can't defend a set piece.

NIMAN

France v Denmark.

That's 2 more teams that look like England would likely beat if they meet.

major bill

They have a chance now :pac:

citytillidie

Tomorrow night England V Belgium a game were both teams want to lose.

2nd in that group has this run
2nd Round V either Japan, Senegal or Colombia
Quarter Final V Sweden or Switzerland
Semi Final V Spain/Russia/Croatia or Denmark

1st in that group
2nd Round V Japan, Senegal or Colombia
Quarter Final V Mexico or Brazil
Semi Final V Uruguay/Portugal/France or Argentina

Shanotheslayer

citytillidie wrote: »

Tomorrow night England V Belgium a game were both teams want to lose.

2nd in that group has this run
2nd Round V either Japan, Senegal or Colombia
Quarter Final V Sweden or Switzerland/Serbia/Brazil
Semi Final V Spain/Russia/Croatia or Denmark

1st in that group
2nd Round V Japan, Senegal or Colombia
Quarter Final V Mexico or Switzerland/Serbia/Brazil
Semi Final V Uruguay/Portugal/France or Argentina

Not sure why both would want to lose now.

1st looks more appealing

Realistically If I was an England fan I'd rather the potential of Uruguay/Portugal/France/Argentina ( None look great what soever so can't call who gets to the semi) than Spain or Croatia.

Think it all depends where Brazil Finishes on if they want 1st or 2nd. Avoid Brazil and they're looking great for a semi final on paper.

tayto lover

I'm not overly impressed by Brazil at all. They've been poor enough imo.
Why would anyone strive to finish second in a group anyway? Winning breeds a proper mentality so let the others fear you.

Royale with Cheese

Before the tournament I said I'd be shocked if the winner came from anyone outside Brazil, Germany, Spain and France. They've all been varying levels of shíte. I'd actually give England a chance now, there is no standout team.

keith_sixteen

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

It's coming. You can feel it. That glorious moment where the time starts to slip away and the realisation sets in. Horrible inevitable defeat.

Their only exits that weren't utterly delicious were 1990 and 1996 because they got the opportunity to reasonably claim moral victories.

2016: Iceland, glorious. All the better after they scored the first
2014: Put to the sword by the great Luis Suarez
2012: Pirlo's peno
2010: 0 - 0 vs Algeria, Gareth Barry in slow motion, the Sun headline
2008 (2007): Croatia rampant in Wembley
2006: "Golden Generation", Eamonn Dunphy slaughtering Telegraph hubris, Rooney in tears
2004: Went out in a magnificent game for the neutral against Portugal
2002: Dat chip
2000: 'Should Shearer be Captain?' Meanwhile Hagi and Romania were in the business of doing them
1998: Revenge for the Falklands. Again. Glorious
1996: meh
1994 (1993): Actually robbed against Holland. Graham Taylor was far too classy a man for the British press
1992: Tomas Brolin run wild
1990: meh
1988: and he stuck it in the English net

I look forward to the latest chapter. A result against Belgium will drive their expectations through the roof. They can't help themselves.

I wish Ireland had a list of failures that long.

NIMAN

To all those who laughed when it was said England might actually be in the running to win this thing, was Germany one of the teams you said would destroy England if they met?

Utopia Parkway

Grueller

To be fair to England they have been modest enough this time. However I spotted this survey on the BBC website. Expectations are rising due to tbe ctazy nature of the results in this tournament.
I would have Croatia ahead by a long way but they are lagging a mile behind in the voting. They are not unbeatable, but are technically far superior to England imo.
Edit to say it is a survey of who is expected to make the world cup final from Englands side of the draw.

NIMAN

You have to remember that the teams who can stop England getting to a WC Final come from:

Colombia, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, Croatia.

That's a scary prospect. On their day, England could beat any of those.

Minderbinder

The problem with England is the media and it’s complete lack of class and determination to spin bs every step of the way. There doesn’t seem to be much of a middle ground; everything is brilliant or it’s awful. There is nothing genuine about them when it comes to their national team.

Their fans that go to tournaments come across usually as very arrogant and obnoxious.

There is very much still a class system in England though with football fans generally on the bottom rung of the ladder. In comparison, from watching cricket I think the media coverage and the fans come across much more likeable. I actually like the England cricket team and would support them in the Ashes.

I can imagine if they won the World Cup, not a game would pass without mention of it. Every time United play it wouldn’t be ‘Lingard’ anymore, it would be ‘World Cup winner Jesse Lingard’. Every time one of their players has a dip in form they’d say ‘he’s a World Cup winner, class is permanent form is temporary’ etc. Then they’d all have to have statues and stands named after them. Of course it’d be Sir Harry Kane playing for Spurs next year. It’d be unbearable.

NIMAN

To be fair to them, winning the WC would be a big deal.
We'd do the same. And more.

Sabre0001

You'd think Irish people/media never brought up the past the way we go on about the English and their references to former glories, controversies, etc...

Considering the shocks that the tournament has produced so far, though, the English media is getting ahead of itself. Yes, the path certainly looks easier, but I'm sure Germany, Argentina, Portugal and Spain thought they'd be OK for a little while! English team hasn't really been tested yet and anything can happen when it comes to the knockout phase.

Omackeral

Watching the BBC would be unbearable. Tuning into Sky would be unbearable. Watching the Premier League would be unbearable.

Guess what, they're all part of English media. It's theirs, not ours. I was watching the FA Cup final a couple of years ago, Crystal Palace vs Man United, and a few in the group were complaining about "that filthy national anthem" being played. You're watching the English cup final you absolute twonk.

The_B_Man

Colombia 1-2 Japan
Colombia 3-0 Poland
Colombia 1-0 Senegal

England will probably beat them and play the winner of Sweden and Switzerland, who I'd expect them to beat too.
Then its onto the winner of Russia and Croatia (prob Croatia). So if England can beat Croatia, they're in the final against one of Brazil or France (or Belgium and Uruguay).

If they're gonna do it, it'll be this tournament.

NIMAN

They will never have a better chance you'd have to say.

tayto lover

Unbearable to many it would seem but it's quite possible as I said in the OP.
They are now one of the favourites and they have the youth and ability to go all the way.
Have they the belief that's required? I think so.

LuckyLloyd

I'm waiting for them to beat a half decent team.

Okon

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

I'm waiting for them to beat a half decent team.

I think Columbia will give that defence a run for it's money tomorrow night. They - and Pickford - certainly haven't been tested at all. Tomorrow will be interesting.

NIMAN

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

I'm waiting for them to beat a half decent team.

Do you consider Colombia decent?

Lukker-

NIMAN wrote: »

Do you consider Colombia decent?

Half decent, probably decent if James is fit.

Berserker

tayto lover wrote: »

Unbearable to many it would seem but it's quite possible as I said in the OP.
They are now one of the favourites and they have the youth and ability to go all the way.
Have they the belief that's required? I think so.

What would happen here if we did win it? The reaction of certain folk on here would be priceless.

LuckyLloyd

NIMAN wrote: »

Do you consider Colombia decent?

Them beating Colombia would certainly be something to work with in terms of a good result, and a basis for thinking this side might be able to reel off a few wins in a row in games that count.

PhlegmyMoses

Berserker wrote: »

What would happen here if we did win it? The reaction of certain folk on here would be priceless.

Think you might be surprised by how many Irish would be alright with it. Listeni ng to the likes of Brady and Dunphy **** on good players like Kane and Sterling before the first match has made me want them to go far, contrarian that I am. Its coming home!

Omackeral

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

reel off a few wins in a row in games that count.

Them beating their opposition in the Group Stages got them to the knockouts. Those matches count, whether you like it or not. If they beat Colombia, they'll be denigrated too I bet.

niallo27

I actually wouldn't mind if they won it.

blueser

Omackeral wrote: »

Them beating their opposition in the Group Stages got them to the knockouts. Those matches count, whether you like it or not. If they beat Colombia, they'll be denigrated too I bet.

Certainly would on here.

gormdubhgorm

England might get a few rounds further

But I just think there are too many teams who I would rate ahead of England.

Belgium, Brazil, France, and Uruguay.

Fortunately for England Brazil and Belgium will likely play each other in the QF

France and Uruguay play each other in the QF

I can't see England beating Brazil in the SF if it goes to form.
I can see England sh*ting themselves and freezing under pressure.

But if they beat Brazil/Belgium (if it goes to form) in the SF fair play to them.

Semi-Finals at best for me.

Of course all these could be moot if Colombia/Sweden/Switzerland beat England.
All those teams are capable of knocking them out on thier day.

citytillidie

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

England might get a few rounds further

But I just think there are too many teams who I would rate ahead of England.

Belgium, Brazil, France, and Uruguay.

Fortunately for England Brazil and Belgium will likely play each other in the QF

France and Uruguay play each other in the QF

I can't see England beating Brazil in the SF if it goes to form.
I can see England sh*ting themselves and freezing under pressure.

But if they beat Brazil/Belgium (if it goes to form) in the SF fair play to them.

Semi-Finals at best for me.

Of course all these could be moot if Colombia/Sweden/Switzerland beat England.
All those teams are capable of knocking them out on thier day.

I can't see Brazil or Belgium beating England in a semi final when England would be in the other semi final, if they win tomorrow and win on their QF they will play either Russia or Croatia in the semi final

gormdubhgorm

citytillidie wrote: »

I can't see Brazil or Belgium beating England in a semi final when England would be in the other semi final, if they win tomorrow and win on their QF they will play either Russia or Croatia in the semi final

Jayus I have it @rseways so.

Re-evaluation needed so!

I blame the heat!

citytillidie

gormdubhgorm wrote: »

Jayus I have it @rseways so.

Re-evaluation needed so!

I blame the heat!

That is why everyone was saying it was good for England to lose that game V Belgium last week for the half of the draw they went into, top half was heavy loaded with the bigger nations

blueser

Pure genius by Gareth, making sure we didn't have to face Japan!

gormdubhgorm

blueser wrote: »

Pure genius by Gareth, making sure we didn't have to face Japan!

Just to clarify I did not thank the 'we' part just Gareth's obvious genius.

beer enigma

As an Englishman this thread is providing almost as much entertainment as the World Cup 🀣.

Beefy78

I just hope we win tomorrow. It's proving really, really tricky to keep expectations down when you look at every team on this side of the draw. I've lumped on Croatia e/w but they looked so mediocre yesterday.

The team have brought loads of happiness and excitement across the country. The crazy weather is helping with that but there was such excitement across my office today as people started talking about the match and how the tournament is opening up. The 'IT'S COMING HOME' stuff has gone a bit viral on social media but I think most of it has been tongue in cheek.

Just one more win lads and then let's take it from there.

Berserker

Beefy78 wrote: »

I just hope we win tomorrow. It's proving really, really tricky to keep expectations down when you look at every team on this side of the draw.

Don't care how we win once we win. I'm dreading it to be honest. I hate these knockout games. We have a brilliant chance to progress to the later stages but we'll get dumped out if we are not at our very best. Get the impression that certain (media) folk think we can win this playing at less than 100%.

martyos121

Berserker wrote: »

Don't care how we win once we win. I'm dreading it to be honest. I hate these knockout games. We have a brilliant chance to progress to the later stages but we'll get dumped out if we are not at our very best. Get the impression that certain (media) folk think we can win this playing at less than 100%.

Southgate certainly won’t think so, and that’s why you guys have a real shot in this tournament, no matter how many try to downplay it. Previous England managers would’ve been cocky with a draw like this, I don’t get that impression from Southgate at all. A grounded coach like him makes England a potentially dangerous side, even if he’s lacking a bit in experience and tactical ability.

It’s much easier to get behind this England side because they try to play decent stuff and aren’t brimming with arrogance. I hope they do well.

Laois_Man

It’s a 50/50 game if James Rodriguez is fit. Not just if he starts, but if he’s actually fit.

Failing that, England should have enough to get thru, and either Sweden or Switzerland will revel in the disrespect that ensues.

But back to tomorrow, they’re two fairly poor teams and anything could happen. The Rodriguez situation is key.

FatherTed

Colombia will win with or without James. England couldn't keep clean sheets against Tunisia, Panama and Belgium's B-side. Mina and Falcao to score, 2-0 the result.

Beefy78

I've also backed 2-0

Sono

England to **** themselves yet again in a knock out match and Colombia to take advantage.

NIMAN

England 2 - 1 Colombia

RobbingBandit

England one trick pony in Harry, if Rashford Lingard Sterling Vardy or whomever the supporting cast may be step up maybe England snatch this if James and Falcao both turn up Columbia will bang a few in, it'll be a high scoring game or a dreg of a draw with someone maybe smashing an injury time winner.

quarryman

I can’t remember England having ever been this lucky in the teams they’ve drawn for qualification and finals. They’ve only faced one world class side and were beaten by them and even they had their B team out.

The side of the draw they’ve landed too is incredibly soft compared to the other. Very, very lucky so far.

Cantona's Collars

The Sun being dicks again, surprise, surprise.

https://twitter.com/SunApology/status/1014049647424430080

blueser

Beefy78 wrote: »

I just hope we win tomorrow. It's proving really, really tricky to keep expectations down when you look at every team on this side of the draw. I've lumped on Croatia e/w but they looked so mediocre yesterday.

The team have brought loads of happiness and excitement across the country. The crazy weather is helping with that but there was such excitement across my office today as people started talking about the match and how the tournament is opening up. The 'IT'S COMING HOME' stuff has gone a bit viral on social media but I think most of it has been tongue in cheek.

Just one more win lads and then let's take it from there.

Excellent post there. I too hope we win tonight. It'll be tough, though. I'll take a scrappy, flukey 1-0 right now.

Cantona's Collars

Cantona's Collars wrote: »

The Sun being dicks again, surprise, surprise.

https://twitter.com/SunApology/status/1014049647424430080

I got the cocaine reference but to say that the Sun was invoking the death of Escobar is stretching it.

Or if we are getting over sensitive, that Twitter only refers to the death of Escobar...does he not care about all of the other deaths linked to the drugs problem etc. etc.

blueser

Cantona's Collars wrote: »

The Sun being dicks again, surprise, surprise.

https://twitter.com/SunApology/status/1014049647424430080

I'm trying to see where the hilarious cocaine pun by the England captain is there, and I can't see it. I see a painful attempt at a gag by the paper (par for the course there) but, unless Kane has made a joke about cocaine (which I'd doubt), that tweet is misleading and wrong.