Day 5: Sweden vs South Korea, Belgium vs Panama and Tunisia vs England (19H00)

[cyberman]

I don't think so, this was the type of game we're expected to struggle with I feel.

We deserved the win and Tunisia, penalty aside, offered absolutely nothing.

But they shut off Englands passing lanes very well, they sat off England's midfield and allowed their poor passers time on the ball because they're odds against to create anything.
They then sit deeper that squeezes the space from Alli and Lingard. Sterling couldn't get an inch of space.
England's formation was designed to keep the ball and move around the poorer opposition which Tunisia got to grips with.

 

[Charles Miller]

Tired in the second? It's the first match of the tournament. England are in a good place to qualify, just need a professional performance against Panama now, no complacency.

Its normal be tired in second half. Players are in the end of their season.

 

[el3mel]

What's the relationship like between the fans/nations in Northern Africa? Friendly rivalry and banter or long-time animosity? (Good luck tomorrow, by the way).

Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco are all fine with each other.

Egypt and Tunisia - Strong football rivalry national teams and clubs but nothing personal. I don't like them much myself though, because of their time wasting tactics.

Egypt and Algeria - Strong hate since 2010.

Egypt and Morocco - hate since last CAN.

 

[Acole9]

He's had a lot of stick but fair play to Kane, he was there when England needed him most.

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

This rubbish English team won't go far

Haha gutted

 

[Annihilate Now!]

Standard England... Get really excited, score, get even more excited, concede, moan about England for an hour, win game and be delighted because we're going to win the World Cup.

 

[Ban]

Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco are all fine with each other.

Egypt and Tunisia - Strong football rivalry national teams and clubs but nothing personal. I don't like them much myself though, because of their time wasting tactics.

Egypt and Algeria - Strong hate since 2010.

Egypt and Morocco - hate since last CAN.

In other words you have strong rivalry with everyone there?

 

[Santi_Mesut_Alexis_87]

Where would England be without Kane? No because they played really well, but they couldn't hit a barndoor, especially Rashford and Sterling.

 

[kouroux]

Well done England. I wanted them to lose which was impossible so I was rooting for the draw. In the end the clear better team won.
@JPRouve Have you ever seen a more pathetic cameo than Khlifa's ?
All Arab countries will go home after the group stages and now only Senegal is left to redeem Africa a little too

 

[Camy89]

Stop being so biased.

Stop being so fragile.

England have by far a superior team and should have won ages ago, but the finishing wasn’t there. The ref was shit because Kane was wrestled multiple times to the ground and should have been penalties.

The second half was drab but overall England deserved it from the attacking play.

Is that biased? I’m mentioning ‘World Cup glory’ because the media around the English team will get carried away and this is why I feel for the roller coaster you guys go on. You beat Tunisia in an injury time winner (and it was deserved). I’m looking beyond that and wondering how you guys will fare against the likes of Brazil etc.

Plus, when it comes from a Scottish guy, you all bite when I try and wind you up. You deserved to win definitely, but it shouldn’t have been so stressful for you all.

 

[Random Task]

Deserved the win in the end.

 

[BigDub]

Deserved result, despite the second half performance. The only thing the Tunisian players were interested in was being petulant and wasting time. Thought the referee did a poor job of controlling the game.

Trippier and Loftus-Cheek the standouts for me. The back three all had pretty nervy moments at different points. And to be fair it’s not even a game in the second half had Sterling and Lingard not decided to forget how to finish.

Will need to extend the first 30 minutes of this performance into a full 90 to get a result against Belgium.

 

[GlastonSpur]

Trippier was the man of the match IMO

 

[Acole9]

Where would England be without Kane? No because they played really well, but they couldn't hit a barndoor, especially Rashford and Sterling.

Totally agree, he could be a real talisman for England this tournament. If he gets an injury it'll be a real worry.

 

[James Peril]

Whoever said England = United is completely wrong. More chance of hell freezing over than us scoring two goals from corners.

United scored the most goals from corners and indirect free-kicks in the top four last season... just sayin

 

[TheGame]

Well done England, should have had 2 penalties for fouls on Kane. Alli should have gone off a bit earlier. Subs were great.

 

[Treble]

Deserved win for England.

 

[Ban]

Just dont get carried away lads. Or it already happened?

 

[pauldyson1uk]

England deserve the win for the shit they have had to take from the ref and the tackles in the area that belong in the WWE ring. Not a vintage performance but a win and that is what was needed.
Cheek did OK when he came on and I thought Tripper had a decent game, Sterling should never start another England game over Rashford.
The ref tonight was bad and VAR failed, but if we had taken our chances in the first half m, they would not have mattered.
First game and a win.

 

[Hansa]

Egypt and Tunisia - Strong football rivalry national teams and clubs but nothing personal. I don't like them much myself though, because of their time wasting tactics.

Egypt and Algeria - Strong hate since 2010.

Egypt and Morocco - hate since last CAN.

In other words you have strong rivalry with everyone there?

Yeah, seems like it's Egypt vs the world

 

[Trophy Room]

Deserved win.

 

[el3mel]

In other words you have strong rivalry with everyone there?

Yes as we're a bit distinct from those 3, but it's Tunisia that the rivalry goes at its strongest on the pitch. A year doesn't pass without an Egyptian club faces a Tunisian one in an important match.

 

[duffer]

Trippier was the man of the match IMO

I'd agree. Excellent delivery.

 

[K2K]

That's Tunisia for you. We have played against them loads and loads of time, National team and clubs. They're masters at rolling over the pitch, faking injuries and time wasting.

True .

I have no pity for Tunisia whatsoever.

England should have scored even later if that was possible.

 

[RoadTrip]

Missed most of the match as was on a flight.

Just watched some highlights.

How can there not be multiple penalties for the wrestling on Kane? More blatant than I’ve ever seen.

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

Trippier was the man of the match IMO

He put in some great set pieces.

 

[K2K]

Belgium is gonna tear through this England side

You don't watch many Belgium matches, do you?

 

[TheGame]

Feck me. England just about squeeze through and they're soaking it up and doing a lap of honour like they won 5-0 on a level with the Liverpool 2-2 WBA trophy.

They'll get found out in the knockouts.

What are you on about? They were going up and thanking their fans. Last minute goal so joy and elation. Must be hard for you to take.

 

[Phil]

They're well envious of Kane's medal haul of course.

And his god like looks

 

[Prometheus]

How can there not be multiple penalties for the wrestling on Kane? More blatant than I’ve ever seen.

It was ridiculous. At some point they even checked for a penalty then called it off.

 

[TheGame]

Maguire was immense.

 

[PoTMS]

Feck me. England just about squeeze through and they're soaking it up and doing a lap of honour like they won 5-0 on a level with the Liverpool 2-2 WBA trophy.

They'll get found out in the knockouts.

Ireland fan?

 

[el3mel]

Yeah, seems like it's Egypt vs the world

Not far from the truth though.

 

[Eckers99]

Trippier was the man of the match IMO

Yeah, had a very good game.

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

What are you on about? They were going up and thanking their fans. Last minute goal so joy and elation. Must be hard for you to take.

Some posters on here will use anything to slag off England.

It's hilarious.

 

[pauldyson1uk]

win against Panama and the Belgium game result does not matter that much.
Henderson had a decent game

 

[RoadTrip]

It was ridiculous. At some point they even checked for a penalty then called it off.

Most ridiculous thing I’ve seen.

 

[edcunited1878]

If Alli is going to be part of a 3 man mid, then he shouldn't start ahead of RLC. It should be Henderson with Lingard and RLC ahead.

Sterling is a good partner with Kane and Rashford is a proper threat coming from the bench.

 

[pauldyson1uk]

Trippier was the man of the match IMO

I would agree with that.

 

[RoadTrip]

win against Panama and the Belgium game result does not matter that much.
Henderson had a decent game

Is there much benefit in coming top? Based on our last 16 options?