This half they've literally been the ultimate team performance. Without the ball it's like a group of angry Yorkshire Terriers constantly snapping at heels. The pressing levels are insane. With the ball about half a dozen of them have been exquisite. I'm surprised and impressed. Didn't expect this. Mbappe anonymous and it's not really his fault.

How many you got? Fill a golf bag? Which one is the driver? Big Bertha? I'm going with timing of substitutions.

Totally different levels of jeapody on each pen though. Not just club v Country debate. If I'm remembering right Hirst's was to rescue a last min draw. Nice for confidence to avoid defeat, but in the grand scheme of things, during a 46 game season, 1pt = meh. Kane's penalty was potentially a gateway to lifting the World Cup. I truly believe that. The momentum was all with us, would even have fancied us with a shout at ET and penalties. Then Morocco in the semi. It was all there for the taking. Gutting.

He's insisting on the exact opposite though surely Mike. It would need a full 180 on his philosophy. Can't see that happening. And if JDT gets it to work and turns us into a flowing Rolls Royce of a team then I'll eat humble pie. Not holding my breath though. More likely this path is going to end in disaster.

I don't know about the intricacies of a modern dressing room, but at what point do the players revolt. They must realise these tactics are failing and making them look like mugs on match day. Surely there comes a time when those conversations are had. How many suicide goals till the tipping point is reached? 5, 6...7? Or does everyone just keep their gobs shut and heads down.

One sensational finish and one sublime cross. Even Gally finishes that ball 9 out of 10. Hell, I think I finish quite a few with my 50p head. Griezman was an absolute pest all over the pitch. Forget the dodgy ref, if I were him I'd want a steward's enquiry about where my MOTM award was.

Haven't heard about some of that. Was just a recent throw away example tbh. Was more focusing on that it takes a certain character to commiserate with the loser in those moments, rather than getting caught up in the win. Probably is more rare, I'm thinking Flintoff on his knees with the Aussie batsman. And he's the biggest wind up merchant of the lot: "Mind the windows Tino!" But not once the contest is over. A switch flicks then. No need to goad. I know Lloris is his domestic teammate, but just though it was a nice moment to see the two of them with him. But I'm probably trying to extract some granule of joy out of this miserable day. 😪

Didn't see that, but don't care tbh. That's in the heat of battle. I judge people on how they act when the final whistle goes (or in boxing final bell). E.g. Argentina acted like absolute tits, I thought the French were quite sporting and gracious tonight.

Harry Kane is devastated. Feel for him. Was nice to see Mbappe and Lloris consoling him at the end. Good sportsmanship.

Why did Hyam not drop there. Was obvious he was 2 to 1. Immediately moving to the ball was suicide.

Google translate is even struggling with this, (probably colloquial slang), but basically- 'Only one of these attitudes deserves applause' 👏 👏

I'm just bitter and jealous. When I'm watching USA, and I know more about the players (from my gambling days late night MLS) than the pundits, it boils my blood. They're paid a fortune and are scrambling to even come up with x player is top scorer for Seattle Sounders. Earn your wage you lazy gits.

You should check with more people, maybe a few women.

That would involve them a) having some in depth Worldwide knowledge to begin with or b ) doing some actual research in-between matches, instead of sightseeing and jollies. Neither of which seems to be a thing. We probably expect too much for hundreds of thousands they get paid for a month's work.

Maybe I missed out then. I look forward to seeing them in more competitive games in the the quarters and semi.

I turned on to see them 2-0 up after 15 mins or whatever and switched right off. No competitive match to be had after that. Don't know if that makes me a crap football fan. Was far more fun the bits of the Croatia Japan game I caught earlier.

😀. 11 mins. You're answering your own frustrations. Let everyone underestimate England and play down our chances. Tbh, it's probably the only chance we have of winning a trophy. Other teams taking us lightly. I say embrace it.

Yep, it's a crazy rule but I'm fairly confident of it for the Premier League at least. Maybe WC has slightly different VAR rules. Stems back to a PL league game where there was an innocuous handball on the halfway line, ball then passed to attacker who did a brilliant trick and smashed in a great goal. Was ruled out, and the consensus was nobody wanted such a good piece of skill cancelled out for what happened before. So rule then changed to handball having to be from the actual goalscorer.

Not sure that's correct. The rule was changed where VAR can only overrule for handball if it's the person scoring the goal that does it. Because the guy handballed and then passed the ball to the person that took the shot, goal would have stood. Pretty sure I've got that right.

It's a mindset though, just like Rovers. Quite often we have the better team on paper, but go a goal down, and they don't seem to believe anymore. The French have the winning mentality, been there before and done it. Just had someone quote our QF as 60/40 to France. Seems fair, but tbh I'm feeling more 65/35. Just on past history alone. We've still got a good chunk of the pie though. If we could get past them I truly believe it's on.

By learning how to get past the middling teams, we're finally putting ourselves in positions regularly for a crack at the top sides. Law of averages we should get the big scalps eventually. Was very close with Italy. I don't fancy our chances against France, but you never know. Mbappe limps off injured after 15 mins and I'd make us favourites.

Only one dampner to the night: Scumbags.

He can sit in a bit more for Liverpool though. Time the odd forward run. Seems to be flying up and down the wing here. Impressive for a guy his age.

Get in. Henderson busting his hump all over the pitch. I wonder if he's been told he's only playing 60 mins regardless. Looks like he's emptying the tank to me.

I like the bloke, and want him to do well. His distribution when given time and space is excellent. But the rest of it, i.e. when under pressure, make my heart jump 20 bpm. Can't help it, it's an involuntary biological reaction now.