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BBC Sport

Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal: Bath photograph story expl...

BBC Sport explores a bond between two world-class footballers from different generations who appear bound by destiny

Edited July 16Jul 16 by DD_Arthur

23 hours ago, martin-w said:

I'm thinking some heavy tackles incoming and some shenanigans.

As expected: fouls everywhere, no matter which side did them.

20 hours ago, FPVSteve said:

Parking the bus with 20 minutes to go at 1-0 up. FFS.

7 hours ago, Christopher Low said:

trying to defend a 1-0 lead that way is NOT the answer

I've never seen this term before, I had to google it. And neither I can understand why did Tuchel do that with such a little advantage, specially after having worried us all before Gordon's goal.

8 hours ago, Christopher Low said:

Congratulations to Argentina

Thank you! I'll be rooting for you guys on Saturday

Edited July 16Jul 16 by Luis Hernandez
Too much quoting, post too long

I don't actually care about the Bronze medal game.

Edited July 16Jul 16 by Christopher Low

Now that I’ve calmed down here’s my analysis. The changes Tuchel made were catastrophic. Both Argentina CBs were on yellows plus their right and left backs would be tiring.

That was the time to bring on fresh attacking legs for us like Saka and Rashford. With Argentina needing to score that would have left them more open. It was a golden opportunity to get a second.

But even if England had conceded one with that attitude we would have had more of the ball and Argentina would have had to sit deeper.

By parking the bus England invited pressure and with the likes of Messi able to cross so accurately the result was inevitable.

Tuchel’s tactics gave been questioned by senior players. How on earth does he convince them to trust his tactical acumen?

It is a very sad case of what could have been 😢

They should put that on our banknotes.

Edited Saturday at 01:50 PM5 days by FPVSteve

France 4 England 6.

Wow, best game of the world cup by far!

Pity tomorrows final will be a borefest dominated by the usual underhand sh#thousery both the finalists are renowned for....🤷‍♂️

That was an exhausting watch! 3rd at the tournament? I think we could have won it - but would I have taken 3rd at the beginning? I think so.

Astonishing result, but why were England nowhere near as good in the second half as they were in the first? Did they try to defend a 4-0 lead for 45 minutes? 🤔

There's going to be a 30 minute half time period during the final so all our favourite has-been popstars can appear on a stage built on the pitch....

Should be just enough time for the older players to seize up completely.

4 hours ago, Christopher Low said:

Astonishing result, but why were England nowhere near as good in the second half as they were in the first? Did they try to defend a 4-0 lead for 45 minutes? 🤔

I think Dechamps may have lit a few fires under some of the French players at half time, he also brough off some of the peripheral players and brought on players who had been in the starting 11 in previous games. I also don't think they thought England were going to be up for it like they were, and probably felt it was going to be a walk in the park.
I questioned Tuchels subs against Argentina and again last night.
But hey it's Englands best result in 60 years and thats good. Euros in 2028 on home turf, and importantly no hydration Ad breaks!

6 hours ago, DD_Arthur said:

There's going to be a 30 minute half time period during the final so all our favourite has-been popstars can appear on a stage built on the pitch....

Should be just enough time for the older players to seize up completely.

Same thing they did at the Copa America 2024. In summary, anti-football. That and the hydration breaks. You Euros did the right thing by not including them in the next Euro.

And Conmebol, please never hold a Copa America in the US again. Keep it in South America 🙏🏻🙏🏻

In the meantime, vamos Argentina!!💪🏻

Edited Sunday at 03:20 PM4 days by Luis Hernandez

Pity the game played yesterday couldn’t be today’s final. Not impressed with either the football or this half-time circus. 🤨

An elderly Madonna in hotpants riding a buggy driven by two Brazilian legends at an Argentina final to the sound of Animal from the Muppets playing Seven Nation Army on the drums. I think my wife slipped some substances into my Sunday dinner.

Edited Sunday at 08:22 PM3 days by FPVSteve

Twenty minutes to go. Spain lack for nothing....except Erling Haaland.

Will there be a goal in normal time? Will there be a goal in extra time?

If Argentina are going to win this they're going to have to take a risk and press the Spanish defence.

Edited Sunday at 08:56 PM3 days by DD_Arthur