The fire in your heart is out
England’s players can finally get on the plane home after last night’s crazy game in Miami.
The only justification for last night’s game is to further line FIFA’s pockets and the fact that we’ve always had it other than in 1950 as the competition structure was different. Otherwise it is a complete waste of time.
It’s me and the dog at the moment, so last night we decided to sit down and watch the game with a bowl of treats and some wine and I’m pleased we did.
You can imagine the bed wetting even in this ‘exhibition match’ if we’d lost after being 4-0 up, but the result at least improves the mood after the massive disappointment of Wednesday.
Rightly or wrongly, Tuchel is here to stay, but his reputation at home needs repairing.
It was a ridiculous match that showcased every characteristic England have shown this past month and a bit.
It did have an air of an exhibition game, but tis the season of those, especially in America. My American pal asked me if I wanted to go and see Wrexham v Leeds in Tampa next Saturday. Err, no thanks. Tickets are in $150 range.
Before Djed Spence burst through into the box to win the 2nd half penalty we could easily have been 6-4 down ourselves. What a breakout tournament Spence has had, who had just 23 starts for Spurs last season.
While that showed Tuchel can pick a player, Saka scoring a hat-trick only raised questions of why we didn’t see him more. Possibly not 100% fit, like Rice but we are a far better team with them two in it. Rashford’s pace and intelligence would also have been nice to have seen a lot earlier than the 96 minute as well.
I forgot that Chalobah even went, and I have to say Toney looked every inch a player that does not play in a top level league.
Lovely to see Konsa score, but our defensive frailties are a real problem. The introduction of Bellingham and Anderson swung the game back in our favour and these two plus Rice are what the team for the Euro’s needs to be built around. The dog and I were up off our seats when Bellingham danced in for the 6th. He truly is a force of nature.
As is Kylian Mbappe who I hope stays two goals ahead of Messi in the golden boot. I’m happy I saw the GOAT in the flesh, but the whole Argentinian disposition (and that isn’t the right word) post our semi-final has been nauseating. I hope Spain smash them later.
What if Cape Vedi, Ivory Coadt or DR Congo and naybe one or two more nations, Jordan and some other smaller national internationsl teams, went home with Bronze 3rd place finish.
They would be heros for life, an national holiday and such a boast for the people.
So if 3rd 4th place match is scrapped what about a play off group the winner of which in a final of the top two teams in the group. Take home THE PLATE to a heoros welcome, and the bigger nations winner The Cup.
Imagine all the young boys and girls in tjose smaller nations looking up to their stars and takimg up the game.
Just my random tboughts
Cheers
Peter Hearn
I watched England beat Argentina in the rugby before the football last night. There were only Argentinian fans in the ground. They wore replica 1986 shirts that Maradona wore against England in 1986. Both the players and the fans displayed the same as the football team last Wednesday. Despite 4 yellow cards England won. A good game too.
I think you’re assement of the potential score is way out Chig.
We went in 4-0 up. It could easily have been 6-0.
The French were very poor first half. Though totally predictably came out second half transformed.
Ultimately a cracking game even if meaningless.
Was hoping to see Tomey play, how disappointed I was to then seem him play. Oh well.
So would you stop play offs for bronze in the Olympics as happens for hockey and boxing? I thought it was one of the most entertaining games.
I understand that sentiment which is why they have called it the bronze medal. Winning a bronze Olympic medal carries a lot more significance. Third winner over best loser?