The football (soccer) thread

[Madiel]

Their best ever --- kudos to them! 

Nobody ever cared about their best ever, afaik... 

Well the USA and Mexico certainly did during the last World Cup qualification as the Canadians streaked past them.

But Canada got a horror draw in the tournament itself. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them back in 2026 and knocking teams off.

[AnotherSpin]

Tickets on Stubhub for the Canada/Uruguay game and the Argentina/Colombia game are going for about $1350 and up.

For the Euro final the price is about $1150 and up.

The free market thinks the Copa América is more interesting.

The free market thinks viewers of one cup have more money than viewers of another cup. The amount of money is irrelevant, the most interesting things in life are free

[Irons]

Meanwhile, in the tournament that's really important, Canada and Uruguay play tonight to determine third place, and Argentina faces Colombia tomorrow night in the final, which will be played in what is normally the Miami Dolphins' home stadium.

I heard on the radio today that tickets for the final are going for $6000US each. The official website is offering "hospitality packages" starting at $2621.50.

https://www.copaamericahospitality.com/ecommerce/buy-packages/single-match-packages/?utm_source=COPA+website+finals+&utm_medium=Web&utm_campaign=Final+push+_+semis+and+final

Hilarious moment on one of the endless interviews with fans from Berlin on UK TV. A Scotsman who had a ticket for the final was asked how much would it take to sell it to an English fan. He thought for a moment and then said "Independence".

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Hilarious moment on one of the endless interviews with fans from Berlin on UK TV. A Scotsman who had a ticket for the final was asked how much would it take to sell it to an English fan. He thought for a moment and then said "Independence".

One of the commentators at Wimbledon mentioned that Kate, her sister Pippa and Kate and Will's daughter Charlotte would be in the Wimbledon Royals' box; meanwhile, Will and their two sons will be at the football final in Berlin.

PD

[Brian]

The way the Wimbledon final went, there actually would have been time for the royals to fly to Berlin by private jet and see both together 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

The way the Wimbledon final went, there actually would have been time for the royals to fly to Berlin by private jet and see both together 

I know!  Probably even figuring in the presentation ceremony and the chats before Carlitos went out onto the balcony...perhaps a bit tight time-wise, but I suspect would be doable.  Oh wait, Berlin is also an hour ahead time-wise, so scrap that idea!

But seriously, I thought that it would be at least a four hour one--particularly given the two players involved.

To my very inexpert eyes, it seems that Spain is a lot more aggressive and in possession of the ball more often.  Thoughts?

PD

[Madiel]

I didn't watch the first half. Sitting down with about 15 at my hotel for the second.

It occurs to me that Portugal is probably one of the more neutral places to watch this final.

But I'm flying to Madrid tomorrow night, so... I want them to be in a good mood.

[Lisztianwagner]

What a pity, even this time the cup hasn't come home. 

[Madiel]

2nd half was pretty entertaining.

[Jo498]

1st half a bit disappointing (not unexpected in a final), 2nd half one of the best I saw in this tournament (with 1st half of ESP-FRA maybe even better). Overall England probably even better than vs. Netherlands (there weren't very good before that) but clearly beaten and Spain had far more decent chances than the 2 goals indicate.

[vandermolen]

Spain were the better team and deserved to win. Having said that, England did well to get back into the game and Col Palmer's goal was terrific.

[JBS]

Meanwhile at the more important game
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/40563453/fans-storm-gates-miami-gardens-copa-america-final

This btw is about 15 minutes from my house. If the shouting gets really loud I might hear it.

But to put perspective on the crowd control problem;

Miami-Dade County has a population of over 2.6 million.
4.7% of them were born in Colombia.
1% of them were born in Argentina.
Those figures don't include Broward County [Fort Lauderdale and environs] which is where I live and where InterMiami FC has its home stadium*.
The team captain of InterMiami FC is an Argentinean forward named Lionel Messi. You may have heard of him. (You may have also heard of one of InterMiami's owners, a chap named David Beckham.)
Finally and most importantly, the halftime entertainment will feature Shakira.

*Miami City FC also plays in Broward County and not in Miami.  A stadium for InterMiami is being built near Miami International Airport and will allegedly be ready for the 2025 season.




Those are herons btw, not flamingos.

[Irons]

Spain were the better team and deserved to win. Having said that, England did well to get back into the game and Col Palmer's goal was terrific.

We had a go to get back into the game but after Palmer's goal England retreated and defended far too deeply. For the whole game England were chasing shadows which is very tiring. Southgate should have refreshed the defence by bringing on Trippier and Konsa, I cannot understand the thinking of playing Shaw for 90 minutes in such a high level game after being out injured since February. The Spain second goal and a near miss both resulted from poor defending. The England defenders were tiring resulting in concentration levels slipping. Attack wise Southgate got it spot on as his two substitutions saved the game - for a bit. I'm convinced a more proactive coach would have made more. Made a difference? Probably not as Spain were a class above.

[Madiel]

Argentina victory in the Copa America is a dream come true for Miami promoters.

Meanwhile... Spain has now won 3 of the last 5 Euros. That is a serious achievement.

[Florestan]

Spain has now won 3 of the last 5 Euros. That is a serious achievement.

Spain is the indisputable superpower of European football, a new and equally formidable Armada Invencible before which all other powers cannot but capitulate one by one.

The final was like, the best team vs the luckiest team. The best one won, outdoing the other in every conceivable respect.

[ritter]

The streets of Madrid now, awaiting the arrival of La Roja (they're some 2.5 kms away from Cibeles Square).

[Florestan]

The streets of Madrid now, awaiting the arrival of La Roja (they're some 2.5 kms away from Cibeles Square).

¡Que comienza la fiesta! ¡Que viva España! ¡España es la mejor!



¡Pa arriba, pa abajo, pa'l centro, pa dentro! 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

The streets of Madrid now, awaiting the arrival of La Roja (they're some 2.5 kms away from Cibeles Square).

Enjoy the celebration/win Ritter! 

PD

[Madiel]

I've just landed in Madrid. I'm just glad I picked a hotel on the airport side of the city... about 1.5 kilometres from the party.

Televisions in the baggage area showing the party.

[vandermolen]

We had a go to get back into the game but after Palmer's goal England retreated and defended far too deeply. For the whole game England were chasing shadows which is very tiring. Southgate should have refreshed the defence by bringing on Trippier and Konsa, I cannot understand the thinking of playing Shaw for 90 minutes in such a high level game after being out injured since February. The Spain second goal and a near miss both resulted from poor defending. The England defenders were tiring resulting in concentration levels slipping. Attack wise Southgate got it spot on as his two substitutions saved the game - for a bit. I'm convinced a more proactive coach would have made more. Made a difference? Probably not as Spain were a class above.

I very much agree with this analysis. After Palmer equalised for England, instead of pressing forward on the new momentum, they retreated back, presumably hoping for Extra Time. But, as you say, Spain were the better team anyway. The England goal, however, was very special with Saka's run up the wing, his pass to Bellingham who set it up brilliantly for Palmer's clinically executed shot. If only