Other Games - 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup Edition (+ warm-up matches): Villa-watch

[kippaxvilla2]

It’s a shame in a way that the young man who was smashing in goals for us from all over the pitch against the highest level of competition is MIA. This would have been his time to shine on the world stage. Instead as you’re saying he’s completely vanished off planet football. The crazy thing is he’s still only 22. If he wants to get back into the game he’s got time. But his credibility has been seriously damaged.

He’s going to turn in the same career as the likes of Dyer and Berahino.

[kippaxvilla2]

A forward three of Rashford rogers and Watkins excites me greatly for next season.

[cdbearsfan]

Women's World Cup Play-Off draws (first team listed at home in first leg):

Semi-Final

Greece vs England
Kazakhstan vs Republic of Ireland
Albania vs Wales
Czech Republic vs Scotland
Northern Ireland vs Portugal

Final

Slovakia or Ukraine vs Greece or England
Northern Ireland or Portugal vs Croatia or Iceland
Albania or Wales vs Romania or Norway
Czech Republic or Scotland vs Lithuania or Sweden
Belgium or Poland vs Kazakhstan or Republic of Ireland

Pretty horrible for Scotland,  Sweden could even win the World Cup. Annoyingly we would have got a better draw if we had finished below Belgium in the group. Silly format.

[paul_e]

We didn't make them fear us in that first half, whereas in the second we gave them something to worry about.

I always think you need to always make the opposition worry you're going to score, otherwise you embolden them to come at you.

I agree, this sums up most of the problems I had with how Southgate managed England, it was always safety first and often at the expense of any attacking intent.

[Dave]

We didn't make them fear us in that first half, whereas in the second we gave them something to worry about.

I always think you need to always make the opposition worry you're going to score, otherwise you embolden them to come at you.

I agree, this sums up most of the problems I had with how Southgate managed England, it was always safety first and often at the expense of any attacking intent.

But up to now, there isn't enough evidence that things are different. We smashed Iran 6-2 in the opening game of the last World Cup, and qualification following the exact same beats as qualifying under Southgate.

We'll find out if the main problem with Southgate has been rectified sometime in the first week in July.

[usav]

Looking at potential path forward assuming we win the group......

R32 - should be straight forward
R16 - would be Mexico in the Azteca.  I don't think Mexico are good, but that will still be really tough for a number of reasons.
QF - would be Brazil in Miami.  Again, I don' think Brazil are that good either, but that's really unlucky to end up in the warmest/most humid venue.
SF - Argentina in Atlanta - indoors thank god.

They are going to need every single player as exhaustion will be a factor.

[paul_e]

We didn't make them fear us in that first half, whereas in the second we gave them something to worry about.

I always think you need to always make the opposition worry you're going to score, otherwise you embolden them to come at you.

I agree, this sums up most of the problems I had with how Southgate managed England, it was always safety first and often at the expense of any attacking intent.

But up to now, there isn't enough evidence that things are different. We smashed Iran 6-2 in the opening game of the last World Cup, and qualification following the exact same beats as qualifying under Southgate.

We'll find out if the main problem with Southgate has been rectified sometime in the first week in July.

I agree, the first half last night was pretty worrying that we haven't really changed anything. It may be that it was never Southgate s fault and instead our club game has embedded that fear into the players.

[brontebilly]

Stones was poor; Rice surprisingly off it; Gordon anonymous.
Substitutions were well-timed and made a big difference.
Croatia pressed us hard in the first half and we weren't very good at breaking it.

The left hand side of the team improved massively with Rashford and latterly Guehi coming on - for me O’Reilly was the weakest of the whole back four, thought he was v poor

Goal aside I thought Rashford really struggled initially. Great asset to have on the counter though, made that finish look easy. Both full backs seemed poor, might be a bit of nerves with O'Reilly. James seemed a bit one paced.

[Dogtanian]

That finish was great and really composed, though. I worried with 3 subs on at once it might be disruptive, so I think it probably took him a while to get into things.

Much more to come from everyone, I think and hope!

[Somniloquism]

I don't think any of the subs struggled as such. There was disruption with taking Rice off and moving Bellingham back to that position instead of bringing on a proper DM type. Croatia then had their best spell in the second half including a well taken shot when Bellingham did a risky dink pass to O'Reilly(?) on the left which lead to the shot well beaten away by Pickford. As soon as James was moved over and Jude removed we shored up again and started attacking through the wings leading to the 4th goal.

[Hookeysmith]

A forward three of Rashford rogers and Watkins excites me greatly for next season.

That would be great i agree - maybe Rashford will be a last minute loan again as i do not see him signing for a fee and his huge wages (and neither would i want him at that price)

[PeterWithesShin]

SJM

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1024814947168210

[Brazilian Villain]

Hon the Saffas. I've never met a South African who wasn't nice.

[Dogtanian]

Pffft, I will miss the first 9 minutes as a travel home from the office. 

[cdbearsfan]

Pffft, I will miss the first 9 minutes as a travel home from the office. 

The fifth goal was pretty good.