COME ON ENGLAND!
That’s how we do it. The Arsenal boys kicking into gear to push England over the line in spectacular and scary fashion last night at the Azteca in Mexico.
I can’t remember enjoying a World Cup in its totality quite the way I’m enjoying this one. Maybe because I’m part of a host nation, maybe because the games are more fun? There’s an interesting byproduct of letting more teams in… we’re both seeing more goals from big names, but we’re also seeing the smaller teams shine at the same time. Quite incredible, really.
Before we talk England, how likeable are Norway? How can I be loving on Haaland and the back-up Sevilla keeper? Sorry to go all AI speak on you, they weren’t just good out there… they were f*cking magnificent. Haaland hunting Brazil down like a raptor chasing those kids in the kitchen on Isla Nublar. He is menacing, but also pretty hilarious to watch, he has a surprising amount of humour about him for someone of that stature in the game. A pleasure to watch and a nice antidote to the Messi and Ronaldo when it comes to public personas.
Brazil were miserable to watch. Carlo picked Brazil to coach, maybe with the idea he could restore it to the Joga Bonito days… it wasn’t to be. They just don’t have the cohesion. Shiny talents domestically do not come to illuminate on the grand stage (bizarre given some of the names they have). You kind of felt Carlo put on an Everton performance, he looked at the talent, assessed it wasn’t that good, and had them play a miserable brand of defeatist football. Brazil needed an Iraola-like coach, not a man who coaches just by being saucy.
Like, why the f*ck was Neymar even on the team bus? Watching him chase down a game with his standard arrogance, but with no physicality to match it was excruciating. Meh-ymar, right? Yah, exactamundo pun-pals. Scoring a 97th-minute penalty, celebrating it for himself, then having words with the keeper, Nyland, who’d had the game of his life… not for me guys, that carry-on is embarrassing. Also, piping up like that, then crying like a baby 6 minutes later? Grow up. At least he hugged Odegaard after with a toddler-like apology.
How about this World Cup from Martin Odegaard? No knee pain at the minute. What a revelation! But, more importantly, what a performance. The sort that reminds you there aren’t many like him in world football and we should probably be hoping he stays on.
Vini Jnr had praise for him.
“They moved very well, they controlled the game, as Ødegaard always does, and we couldn’t figure out the timing to press them and win the ball back.”
Bruno Guimarães chimed in before the game.
“You have a fantastic player like Odegaard. I’m a huge admirer of him. He’s outstanding on the ball and never feels under pressure. You’re always ready to pass the ball to him whenever you need to. I’ve played with him many times, so I know him very well. We have to be careful with him because if we leave him alone, he’ll put us in a very dangerous position.”
Carlo Ancelotti, the man who had no time for him at Madrid, reportedly because the player demanded to train with Cristiano as part of his deal, said this:
“It was very difficult to press high because Norway kept a lot of players at the back and relied heavily on Odegaard.”
I am glad he’s having a great tournament, hopefully he brings back some of that form to Arsenal next season.
Back to ENGLAND. Come on. WHAT a performance. Honestly, just so good. 7,700 feet above sea level, next to no time to adapt, and they played like LIONS. Hmmm… spirit of lions? Playing like lions might not have been as appealing if we’re honest.
Jude Bellingham was outstanding, what a player, get him OUT of Madrid and bring him to the Premier League. His best action of the game might have been the defensive work at the back post. Great awareness, loads of heart, and absolute precision to put the ball over the bar and not make it clear to the ref he had the last touch. Those late runs into the box as well, just magnificent.
Harry Kane? Matt Kandela from the podcast said he can’t celebrate his goals. All is forgiven Harry, you’re a Bayern player now, and though I have ill-will towards them, I don’t have it for you. The big man killed off the ‘craze’ of the stutter step by picking a corner for his penalty and viciously delivering the ball there. Proper penalty.
Star boy back in action delivering a beauty of a cross for an easy Bellingham diving header? Why not. He looked very good in tough conditions yesterday. I’m not quite as scared about his return to Premier League action.
Declan Rice. What more can be said? Just a monster at altitude. He is a midfield great. I can’t speak more highly of his attitude and workrate. Every team in the world needs a Declan; not many have one. He’s the Ballon d’Or winner if he brings home a World Cup.
So… Norway in the next round. A very exciting quarter-final in the sweltering heat of Miami. Should be a banger of a game. Both teams are good, but you’d have to imagine England have the edge in this one.
The most egregious news of yesterday was Trump getting the Balogun red card overturned. There are all sorts of ways to feel about this, but top line, it’s not the overturning that bothers me… it’s the way it happened and what it says about the beautiful game. Balogun should not have received a red for not knowing where his foot was landing in a 50/50 challenge. No malice, no intent, no rep for doing those sorts of things. But FIFA overturning it and the underlying feeling that Trump put his thumb on the scale doesn’t really make most feel good. I mean, it’s not really an underlying feeling when he says this.
"I saw the play, and I'm a person that loves sports ... that wasn't a foul. That wasn't even an infraction ... Yes, I asked for a review by FIFA."
If Keir Starmer called Infantino to get Quansah’s red overturned, what would happen? Nothing. I know. The man couldn’t get free Champions League final tickets for the Brits, but you get my point.
My view of World Cup and Champions League suspensions is that I don’t like them. If Messi was sent off in a semi final, would we really be happy about not seeing him in the final? Same for Champions League finals. I want to see the best players on the pitch for the big games. Balogun not being available for an underdog for an accident was a travesty. I’m glad he’s playing. It’s good for the game. But there are big discussions needed on what this means for FIFA… because the look is cheap and dirty.
Transfer chatter has gone quiet. Not totally sure I want to dig too deep into Wan Bissaka rumors. We’ve lost our minds if that’s a solve for Ben White next season. Hopefully, just agent talk. The DM are saying we’re all in on Barcola and Rogers. That’d do me just fine. Big money will be needed there, so let’s see if we have the guts to get those deals over the line.
In the meantime, remember, I have an America 2050 deal going for yearly memberships, if you want some of that action, and access to all our podcasts, data presentations, the Discord, and the Primo writing, LOCK IN right now or forever hold your peace. Latest members podcast explores the Kofane rumors with… You guessed it… Gradient data. Enjoy! x