The football (soccer) thread

[Madiel]

Wasn't boring at the end. Was brutal.

Credit to Hungary for at least constructing the goal well.

But both teams really rolled the dice on "we only have one goal in us, let's leave it until the end".

[Irons]

Scotland had a total of three shots on target over three games in their group. A miracle if they had gone through. Saying that they nearly did! Not sure if it was a pen when Armstrong was through on goal, but should have gone to VAR at least.

[Luke]

Last gasp goals two nights in a row!

[Valentino]

That missed penalty and scored goal sequence by Modrić could have made the match of this tournament. Classic Italian equalizer in desperation though. All good fun on a Monday night.

Btw I doubt Norway would have made a better impression than Scotland, star players and all. Maybe after a crash course in Croatianism.

[Florestan]

I rooted for Croatia and was very sorry for them. They worked hard and fought heroically to preserve their victory and would have deserved it, especially Modrić for whom this was the last tournament in his life. A real pity.

[vandermolen]

Felt sorry for the loyal Scottish fans. The team never ever looked like scoring (their only goals were an own goal and a deflection).

England are following the usual pattern of massive and unrealistic over-expectation followed by crushing disappointment. Still, it's been fun watching the players and TV pundits turn on each other ('Lineker, you should have stuck to selling crisps' etc)

[Irons]

If England perform tonight like the first two games my advice to both team and manager it may be a good idea not coming home. I have no love for the highest paid employee at the BBC but what Lineker said on his podcast is spot on, we were s---.

Watching Italy v Croatia, what a great advert for football! Bundles of skill, passion and excitement.

[Iota]

If England perform tonight like the first two games my advice to both team and manager it may be a good idea not coming home.

And if they perform well I imagine all will be swiftly forgotten/forgiven, and we'll return to @vandermolen's accurate assessment of 'the usual pattern of massive and unrealistic over-expectation followed by crushing disappointment.' 

Watching Italy v Croatia, what a great advert for football! Bundles of skill, passion and excitement.

I've been watching snatches of games here and there, but I saw the end of Italy/Croatia, what must that have felt like to Croatia! Crushing! I felt very sorry for them.

[Jo498]

It was the toughest group where one cannot afford a 0-3 loss in the first game (although with 4/6 3rd placed advancing one shouldn't really complain). I hope the Swiss beat Italy.

[vandermolen]

Scotland had a total of three shots on target over three games in their group. A miracle if they had gone through. Saying that they nearly did! Not sure if it was a pen when Armstrong was through on goal, but should have gone to VAR at least.

Yes, unlike the studio 'experts' I wasn't sure that it was a penalty either - but it should have gone to VAR at least.

[Florestan]

Austria beats Netherlands 3-2 and wins the group. France comes second after a draw with Poland 1-1. Unbelievable, but then again that's the beauty of football, especially as of late.

[Papy Oli]

Sigh....

 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Sigh....

 

Sorry, Papy!

Believe it or not, I actually watched the game (I seldom watch football.).  Some nice twists and turns there.  Also, I have never seen a case in which they had to retake a penalty kick because the goalkeeper didn't have one of his feet behind the line.

I thought that the Polish goalkeeper did a great job today too.

They showed Novak Djokovic at the match between Denmark and Serbia supporting his country's team.

PD

[Luke]

Lord but England are flat and boring this championship.

[Florestan]

Lord but England are flat and boring this championship.

Have they ever been otherwise? 

[Luke]

The matches earlier, on the other hand.... Wow! There was a five minute phase where goals and penalties and retaken penalties and more goals were flying in both matches. Quite something to hear

[Luke]

Have they ever been otherwise? 

Now hang on, play fair, there have been the odd ten minutes here and there over the decades!

[Florestan]

Now hang on, play fair, there have been the odd ten minutes here and there over the decades!

 

[Luke]

Rossini said similar things about Wagner, of course.

[Florestan]

Rossini said similar things about Wagner, of course.

If only England had the sparkling phantasy of the former and the solid construcțion of the latter...