Refreshing change to watch an England game that was actually quite exciting.

Thought we played some really good stuff after a slightly dodgy start. Always knew our defence would be our weak link - we are going to have to outscore teams which should make for a good if somewhat nervy watch.

7 hours ago, Bob stark said:

Anyone watched Portugal game? How did Portugal play?

I am surprised cr7 is starting for Portugal. I can’t remember whether it was last wc or euro, it was a mess with cr7 as st

They were poor against a very good DRC. A midfield to die for but all a bit of a waste because there were no discernible tactics beyond individual skills. Typical Martinez. Ronaldo was AWOL. Martinez doesn't have the courage to drop or replace him.

8 minutes ago, dermott said:

They were poor against a very good DRC. A midfield to die for but all a bit of a waste because there were no discernible tactics beyond individual skills. Typical Martinez. Ronaldo was AWOL. Martinez doesn't have the courage to drop or replace him.

I see. I really remember that game, it was almost worse than playing with 10 man as he roamed everywhere occupying everyone space which make it difficult for his teammate to play.

Did Portugal still have the same problem?

Edited June 18Jun 18 by Bob stark

Unconvincing first half but looks like Tuchel gave them the kick up the arse they needed at half time. Could have scored 3 or 4 in the first 15 minutes of the second half and dominated from then onwards.

How Anthony Gordon has blagged a move to Barca i'll never know. What a truly awful footballer. Rashford or Rogers has to start on the left going forward. Guehi in for Konsa too. Pickford looked shaky but he's usually always reliable for England. Rice couldn't make a progressive pass to save his life but he's never going to get dropped.

Excited for the tournament as there's not many teams that look good. Lets see if we can play like the second half going forward.

9 hours ago, Bob stark said:

Anyone watched Portugal game? How did Portugal play?

I am surprised cr7 is starting for Portugal. I can’t remember whether it was last wc or euro, it was a mess with cr7 as st

It was much like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egsqTG6VxyI

We all know under Southgate the second half would have been the same as the first and another tournament would pass us by thinking that could have been if we actually had a go. Refreshing to see an England side with a bit about them and full Praise to Tuchel for get out of England in the second half that which many managers have failed. Early days but optimistic.

48 minutes ago, Bob stark said:

I see. I really remember that game, it was almost worse than playing with 10 man as he roamed everywhere occupying everyone space which make it difficult for his teammate to play.

Did Portugal still have the same problem?

He didn't roam anywhere. Mainly lurked in the box. He had two chances which he snatched at and missed. Portugal had 75% possession, 7 shots, 1 on target. Which sums things up. DRC had 8 shots, 2 on target.

On 16/06/2026 at 22:46, PloKoon13 said:

Mendy was spectacular for [at least] two seasons and won us the Champions' League. He is third in my pantheon of post-Bates keepers (sorry @Valerie )

You clearly don't have the kind of appreciative insight as I have @PloKoon13

John Terry was sat next to Arsene Wenger and seemed to be caught in animated discussion rather than watching the match at one point, would love to have heard that one.

Edited June 18Jun 18 by strider6004

6 hours ago, erskblue said:

Fair Point!

Its great, watch the games in the morning and get the rest of the day to do all the other stuff

Such a Tuchel-ball performance by England. I know he's copped criticism but he's picked a squad that will execute Tuchel-ball perfectly; counter-pressing, wide counter-attacking and dominance at set pieces.

It would be a mistake to think that England are going to miss having a genuine no. 10 to break open a low block. Realistically there are just a handful of teams who could sustain a low block + counter against this England team, and Croatia was one of them. Three of the others - France, Portugal and Brazil - would have no interest in doing so and would seek to dominate England, playing right into Tuchel's hands. Spain or the Netherlands would get absolutely murdered by Tuchel-ball. Every other team would be liable to concede at set plays or off crosses.

The ones I would worry about are Sweden, Norway, Germany and Senegal. A capable defence with a lethal counter-attack. Nicolas Jackson scoring the winner in the knockouts, from a Koulibaly long pass...

2 hours ago, GarnachoCheese said:

How Anthony Gordon has blagged a move to Barca i'll never know. What a truly awful footballer.

That is a true mystery - i don't get it at all. He is a mid-table player. He is fast?

9 minutes ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Nicolas Jackson scoring the winner in the knockouts, from a Koulibaly long pass...

😱

5 minutes ago, GarnachoCheese said:

Unconvincing first half but looks like Tuchel gave them the kick up the arse they needed at half time. Could have scored 3 or 4 in the first 15 minutes of the second half and dominated from then onwards.

How Anthony Gordon has blagged a move to Barca i'll never know. What a truly awful footballer. Rashford or Rogers has to start on the left going forward. Guehi in for Konsa too. Pickford looked shaky but he's usually always reliable for England. Rice couldn't make a progressive pass to save his life but he's never going to get dropped.

Excited for the tournament as there's not many teams that look good. Lets see if we can play like the second half going forward.

Think that's a little harsh. Can think of a number of footballers who really are awful but wouldn't include Gordon in that. Same goes for Madueke on the other wing.

I'm not over impressed with him, but he did a lot of pressing and closing down. and he's a whole lot more effective than any CFC wide left man currently.

9 minutes ago, Nibs said:

Think that's a little harsh. Can think of a number of footballers who really are awful but wouldn't include Gordon in that. Same goes for Madueke on the other wing.

I'm not over impressed with him, but he did a lot of pressing and closing down. and he's a whole lot more effective than any CFC wide left man currently.

Gordon's not a moron. He's not awful. But he is rather ordinary. There are a whole bunch of wingers in the prem just as good as him and Madueke. Neither of them are really game changers. Nothing special about either of them. . . not like Foden and Cole Palmer.

2 minutes ago, TheCeleryKing said:

Gordon's not a moron. He's not awful. But he is rather ordinary. There are a whole bunch of wingers in the prem just as good as him and Madueke. Neither of them are really game changers. Nothing special about either of them. . . not like Foden and Cole Palmer.

No I agree. But I think the main reason TT picked them is that they give a bit more energy (as both Palmer & Foden looked knackered at the end of the season), plus neither will moan about being rotated and being left out.

Would rather be watching Cole Palmer any day of the week but glad he's getting much needed rest and IF TT does manage to take us all the way, he'll be vindicated.

10 minutes ago, Nibs said:

No I agree. But I think the main reason TT picked them is that they give a bit more energy (as both Palmer & Foden looked knackered at the end of the season), plus neither will moan about being rotated and being left out.

Would rather be watching Cole Palmer any day of the week but glad he's getting much needed rest and IF TT does manage to take us all the way, he'll be vindicated.

Yep, all the work rate and the energy is designed for Harry. TT has built the team around Harry Kane. Which is sensible. As long as Harry stays fit then TT may well be vindicated. I still wish there were other options, but so far so good.

Tuchel. What a man.

Last night we witnessed the best attacking display from England in YEARS.

We’ve got Super Tommy Tuchel, he knows exactly what we need 💙

1 hour ago, Nibs said:

Think that's a little harsh. Can think of a number of footballers who really are awful but wouldn't include Gordon in that. Same goes for Madueke on the other wing.

I'm not over impressed with him, but he did a lot of pressing and closing down. and he's a whole lot more effective than any CFC wide left man currently.

Pedro Neto is better than Gordon and i think my opinion on Pedro Neto is widely known on here.

Watching some enjoyable football was refreshing. I was fully expecting a tedious 1-1

As always hard to get a full picture from a single match, especially a world cup opener. Could have been punished more for the weak defence in the first half and it'll remain to see how England play against a well drilled defence that themselves are playing on the counter.

16 hours ago, dermott said:

They were poor against a very good DRC. A midfield to die for but all a bit of a waste because there were no discernible tactics beyond individual skills. Typical Martinez. Ronaldo was AWOL. Martinez doesn't have the courage to drop or replace him.

My wife who is Portuguese came home from work having watched the game claiming that she will never watch this sh*t team again…she laid into CR7 calling him a lazy bastard …together with a whole load of Portuguese swear words to describe the Portuguese performance. We also get Portuguese TV and boy were they laying into the team and Martinez….the flag ripping ceremony will be next on the list if they don’t win their next game convincingly. To me they won’t make the round of 32, they were awful and haven’t been convincing in their warm up games; they have a couple of tough games left and I don’t see them winning one of them.

That red card for the Qatar player was really unfair. It's not like he mistimed a tackle or anything when he broke the Canadian players leg, it was just freak accident.

48 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

That red card for the Qatar player was really unfair. It's not like he mistimed a tackle or anything when he broke the Canadian players leg, it was just freak accident.

Very soft. Welcome to World Cup refereeing. Fully expect the USA to get a soft red or two vs Australia

15 hours ago, Nibs said:

No I agree. But I think the main reason TT picked them is that they give a bit more energy (as both Palmer & Foden looked knackered at the end of the season), plus neither will moan about being rotated and being left out.

Would rather be watching Cole Palmer any day of the week but glad he's getting much needed rest and IF TT does manage to take us all the way, he'll be vindicated.

It is not about energy, foden n Palmer are not competing with Madueke n Gordon, they are competing with Bellingham, Roger and Eze.