Jul 20
Yesterday’s World Cup final was as long as any Super Bowl. Thankfully in the first ever football Super Bowl football eventually won.
Argentina became more and more contemptible as the tournament went on, and how their players acted at the final whistle was deplorable right up until them turning their backs on the Spanish team, who had given them the guard of honour, when they went up to collect the cup from the camera shy President(s).
Please click for moreEngland’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.
Please click for moreFor someone that was born just a couple of weeks after the 1966 World Cup Final the hurt has ached for a long time. Tonight is a struggle to be honest.
The best team did win, but the question nags and it will for the rest of the summer, is did we allow them to win or did they beat us?
Please click for moreThomas Tuchel was right. We did not play well and were second best for long periods of the game, but we, or shall I say Jude, found a way.
Jude Bellingham is force of nature, a driving force of nature and it is onto the World Cup semi’s for just the fourth ever time.
Please click for moreI was so fortunate on so many levels to be at the Argentina v Egypt game yesterday.
If the England game on Sunday was the best so far, then yesterday ran it close. It was heartbreaking for the Egyptians, but to see Lionel Messi in the flesh and watch in awe as all around me their supporters made a cacophony of noise made for a truly memorable day.
Please click for moreWhat an incredible match. It had everything.
We are about 6 metres above sea-level here in Sarasota, but at the end of last night’s game I felt every inch of the Mexico City’s sapping altitude. Then of course I couldn’t sleep as I was so wired, and I had an early wake up for a flight.
Please click for moreAmericans have fallen in love with the World Cup, and in a plot-twist the visiting football fans are falling in love with Americana. There’s a lesson or two there somewhere.
I’m here to talk about the football though, you can call it soccer if you want, but the 2026 version is proving to be one of the most entertaining.
Please click for moreWhat would we do without Harry Kane.
For 75 minutes we were going home. Those brilliant fans would’ve borne witness to one of the all time shocks and an embarrassed FA would’ve had no choice but to pack Thomas Tuchel back to the Hinterland.
Please click for moreAs English fans and players serenaded each other on the pitch after. It became pretty obvious that Jude Bellingham is England’s Wonderwall. Incredibly Thomas Tuchel had to convince himself that Bellingham was even worth a squad place. I’m not sure what we’d be watching without he and Harry Kane.
I’m warming to Tuchel like a cold beer in an ice bar. Not bringing along Trent Alexander-Arnold is looking an increasingly stubborn and stupid move.
Please click for moreRonaldo arrived, but England were stuck at the lights. Disappointing today against a stubborn and solid Ghana.
I’ve seen a lot of the games, and have been really enjoying the tournament 13 days in. We’ve seen a record goal count, and all of the stars have come out to play. The England game today was probably the worst I’ve seen.
Please click for moreThat was quite exciting wasn’t it. Croatia as per gave us a run for our money and it was a very good game.
1st half England were convincing going forward and unconvincing at the back. 2nd half made me realize how many good players we have at our disposal. The trick will be if the German can find a way to take us from plucky losers to an ingrained belief that victory is achievable.
Siegermentalität the Germans call it.
Please click for moreFeeling it? No, me neither.
The largest and longest ever World Cup Finals begins tomorrow in Mexico City and despite the fact it is on my doorstep I have felt strangely insouciant to it.
Of course when I say doorstop, this World Cup Finals transverses across an entire continent but you’d hardly know it was happening around my way.
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Lest we forget.
Sarasota, Florida
