June internationals (WC qualifiers and Nations League)

V.O.

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So this is what Messi would do if he faced cannon fodder in Europe
I'm in shock that the surrogate Messi vs Ronaldo thread(s) somehow haven't been bumped yet. :lol:
 

klsv

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First goal by Messi was a penalty, so that's not a real goal, as we all know. His third, or fourth, was also a bit shady as the entire Estonian defense was expecting the ref to blow for Argentina and they just stood there and walked away from Messi who ran towards the goal and buried it. Still a trophy, mind you, Estonia the current holder of the Baltic Cup having beaten Latvia and Lithuania for it. The Transatlantic Super Cup. Second title for Messi this week. Will do wonders for our confidence too as we are going to face Malta next, after just conceding five against Argentina.
 

redspoony

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I am so pumped. So proud of the Wales team today - no one can deny that each and every player put in a shift today. Threw their bodies on the line constantly. Hennessey had a hell of a game.

I can't believe I am going to see Wales play in a World Cup.
Mate, its unreal. I was there for the Romania game in '93. I wasn't there tonight but this is catharsis, ecstacy just pure joy!!!!
We're going to the fecking world cup!!!!
 

SportingCP96

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How the hell did we tie to Spain.
 

IhabX7

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Ronaldo chance for hattrick, penalty for portugal.

Edit: Var says no pen.
 

Paul_Scholes18

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Lots of work for Janne/Sweden to do. Use these games as friendlies to try find a way to work. It is pretty long before Euro qualifiers.

Isak should be dropped.
 

SCP

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Well regardless the nature of the competition today Portugal played well, my historic here about Santos is well known but I have to admit since the Serbia defeat he has been taking some modifications which suits best the type of players we have, of course the World Cup is another matter in terms of pressure and intensity.
 

Red the Bear

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They are propping up Spains participation with the elite of world football. It’s all Spanish football has at the minute
Oh , I think i understand what you're saying.
To be fair Spain doesn't really have the pedigree of say Italy or Germany (and even England the bottling aside) on the international stage .
Their greatest era of dominance came through a freak show when la massia somehow pumped out so many great talents, it was ridiculous to be honest.

Their great club sides always had an influx of sublime foreign players, their national team has just gone back to their normal level, in fact it probably has been the case ever since the brazil in 2014.
 

Demyanenko_square_jaw

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Spanish football is doing fine. Of course it'll be very difficult to match their golden era again, but they are a strong side and consistently have been since 86. This idea that you are either among the best 2-3 teams or are in a bad state and not a good team is far too narrow in scope. Maybe if you are Brazil, with their population size and historic production rate of players, then you can think like that, but most of the others...no.
 

FrankFoot

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Oh , I think i understand what you're saying.
To be fair Spain doesn't really have the pedigree of say Italy or Germany (and even England the bottling aside) on the international stage .
Their greatest era of dominance came through a freak show when la massia somehow pumped out so many great talents, it was ridiculous to be honest.

Their great club sides always had an influx of sublime foreign players, their national team has just gone back to their normal level, in fact it probably has been the case ever since the brazil in 2014.
Agree.

Spain before 2008, was not considered an elite team, and were behind the likes of Brazil, Germany,Italy,Argentina,France,Netherlands, etc

But they were still considered a strong team, super difficult to beat for historical sides, and they always had great players, just not the legendary level of Iniesta and Xavi... but winning the World Cup has definitely elevated their pedigree.

Let's see if they can sustain the pressure of being favorites for a long time.
 

Tarrou

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just saw the Wales game on replay (was on in middle of night here)

Amazing! So glad I got the tickets now

anyone else going to Qatar?
 

Zlatan 7

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The last time you lot made it you gone out to the eventual winner in the quarter-finals courtesy of a pele goal.
Let's see how far you make it this time.
Doesn’t even matter. Of course it would be nice to get out of the group and win a knockout game or two but to just see Wales in a World Cup, to see the joy on the faces of life long Wales fans, magic.

I never thought I’d see this day and to be able to see the joy it brings my kid, something I never had the chance to see when I was growing up. what an experience for us minnows this last decade has been.
 

Red the Bear

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Doesn’t even matter. Of course it would be nice to get out of the group and win a knockout game or two but to just see Wales in a World Cup, to see the joy on the faces of life long Wales fans, magic.

I never thought I’d see this day and to be able to see the joy it brings my kid, something I never had the chance to see when I was growing up. what an experience for us minnows this last decade has been.
Well take it all in mate ;)
It may be the last time you experience something like this in your lifetime so enjoy it while it lasts!
 

Wal2Fra

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Flew into Wales from France to make the most of the atmosphere and it did not disappoint. Cardiff has been buzzing this weekend, with an event at the Castle for the royals Saturday then the game today - such a buzz around the place! Roll on November 21!
 

antohan

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Doesn’t even matter. Of course it would be nice to get out of the group and win a knockout game or two but to just see Wales in a World Cup, to see the joy on the faces of life long Wales fans, magic.

I never thought I’d see this day and to be able to see the joy it brings my kid, something I never had the chance to see when I was growing up. what an experience for us minnows this last decade has been.
Fantastic. Well chuffed for you guys.

Enjoy it!