My Thought on Today's World Cup England / Belgium Fixture
Well, what an interesting wrap-up to the group matches of the World Cup. I was paying particular attention to England’s game with Belgium. As I said in the past, a much harder match than the first two they were up against. This was a real test, finally. But how did they do?
That’s debatable. Sure, if you simply choose to just look at the scores at the end, 1-0 to Belgium would place them clearly as the better team. However, the path to the ultimate goal of winning the World Cup itself, also played a big part going forward. Depending on the end result, there were two options presented to both teams. Either playing Japan, leading up to the winner of Brazil or Mexico thereafter or playing Columbia next, leading to either a Sweden or Switzerland playoff. With that being thrown in as an extra strategy in this game, all may not have been what it appeared.
I think England threw the game, end of. Out of the two choices above, I’m guessing avoiding a match against Brazil seemed a logical plan of action. Therefore, we had Rashford for England, missing some of the easiest goals I’ve yet seen in the tournament. I mean, knowing what was at stake, I imagined England players would "swerve" the goalposts whilst still maintain a façade of “fair play” throughout. And you know what? I can’t fault them for it, “if” I called this one correct. Don’t get me wrong, Colombia are playing very well indeed, but dicing against the might of the Brazilians? I know who I’d rather take my chances with.
Add to that a pretty uncomfortable interview with England manager Southgate after the match ended, and all evidence pointed in the direction of a “match throw”. So, I think we still don’t know whether or not this “dream” squad that England has, have what it takes at the upper echelons of the tournament now. Full credit to Belgium for playing well and scoring a sensational goal though.
Will this strategy England could have employed work in their favour? Only time will tell. Well, to be more precise, in about four days.
In Belgium there was the same discussion. Is it better to end 1st or 2nd in the group? I would rather end 1st because this is the World Cup. IF Belgium wins against Japan they have an opportunity to play against Brazil or Mexico. It's this kind of games that makes a World Cup special. This opportunity only comes once every 4 years.
This is the friend @ ezzy all the credit for Belgium that today played very well, I regret that Brazil and Mexico have left those two teams I like ah and Colombia is playing very well too
Friend to which team are you going?
Not sure who I'm going with to win the whole thing. Though I've got a feeling it may be an underdog. :)
I agree. I thought the game was really good, but England did miss some pretty amazing chances and Belgium scored such a beautiful goal.
We will just have to wait and see what will happen.
I try not to think about it too much since I don't really see the point of me worrying and trying to figure out what the coaches or team or the referees are thinking or doing because it takes all the fun away and it will not change anything anyway. So I just try to enjoy it, even thought it is frustrating sometimes but that is sports, I guess.
All I know, is that I am going for my team and they are still in and that is all that matters and I believe they can definitely do it.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts @ezzy
As long as your team is still in there, that's all that matters. :)
Exactly what I was thinking. I'm kind of losing my interest in the tournament
Glad that I'm not the only one seeing that "possibility" in this game. :)
True 😀
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This will be interesting to watch. I think will be a close one.
Hoping to see England go further this time but nothing is going as many expected. Italy and Holland not in for the first round and Germany out after the first round already was quite an agony for many