They had another manager then and Ziyech and Mazraoui weren't there. Funny how a competent coach brings the best out of a team.
How would Eusébio be the greatest portuguese player ever? We got a third place in 66 but in the rest we did nothing and even lost to Luxembourg. Ronaldo played in the biggest clubs in the world, got the scoring record, got 4th in a World cup and reached many semi finals and two finals. It's not really comparable. Eusébio got a good scoring record but most of his goals were against North Korea.
You either rise to the challenge or you freeze. He'll be all right.
Same weaknesses in the France defence. Upamecano who was labelled a flop for Bayern and Kounde to some extent I rate highlighly but a make-shift right back.
Don't forget the batlle of Nuremberg in 2006 world cup
He’ll get into the French heads by asking them to spell discombobulated
I dunno, I think it’s the other way around. V top sides he seems to keep his concentration a bit more.
The new generation and I'm talking about the future when Ronaldo retires. I think we will drop a level and become a Czech Republic or Poland.
They did against Spain too, but they would of course be in the same category. Can't recall off the top of my head if they also did it against Belgium, which I was semi-watching, and I missed their last two group stage games.
Thats the one! I was confused. Probably due to trying to supress the PTSD. You do beat us all the time. In our country nothing is for certain except death, paying taxes and losing to Portugal. And maybe losing on pens.Don't forget the batlle of Nuremberg in 2006 world cup
Tbf you guys lose to us most of the times so I understand the feeling. Kinda like us against Germany
England's is too to be fair. I think a lot will depend on the full backs. England's are clearly better and if they can dominate defensively and can help out out on the offence then I don't see France dealing with them. Everywhere else on the pitch is pretty equal apart from Mbappe.
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I honestly wish I was as positive, think Frances midfield trio is comfortably ahead of England's.
He'll dive a million times, like he always does, and the calls of anti-football will be silent. Only small teams can play anti football. If 'big' teams do it then its great tactics.
I saw that game against North Korea (and against Brazil). Eusebio pulled that one out of the fire single handed and that North Korean side were a tough, skilled, and well coached side. For my generation, Eusebio was one of the greatest players ever, no matter how you stack up their individual honours. As playing for the biggest clubs, when Eusebio played, Benfica were one of Europe's top sides. He was also a one-club man. His very stature and demeanour endeared him to people.
Posted this after they beat Spain. They didn’t get the second, but always felt they had a chance of scoring the first and going through.
2004 you lost in the semi with us with a Maniche cracker. To be honest I would have preferred to lose that semi and you guys beat Greece that I think you would be capable of doing. It was really painful to lose the final. Kinda like when Sporting lost to Cska in the Uefa Cup final in our own stadium
True this!The cafe is going to be a blood bath tonight me thinks
England's full backs aren't better. France's defence is far better. Griezmann is better a linking to the attack than every other English player, their flanks are also better too. Even in midfield, they have players who are more comfortable in the build up.
Ah I can get being nervous to be fair. I think Shaw, at his best, is miles above every other full back in the pitch and he gives you a technical output that very few can. It's all on Walker being fit for me. If he is then he is the perfect player to shut out Mbappe. Outside of him then England are the better team and have the better options off the bench. I think it'll be tight but I can see England winning 2-1. Luckily Giroud is the perfect striker for Maguire and Stones to deal with but Kane is a problem for everyone.
Shaw over Theo Hernandez really? I love Shaw but he just isn't as good for me.
You base your opinion in one world cup and a lower level European cups. I agree about the stature and demeanor. His poise after what happened in that world cup was commendable. Most Portuguese people aren't as forgiving. He was an incredible player but I still rank him bellow Ronaldo and Figo because the competitive level was far lower in his days.
That's a fair assessment, agree about Shaw, he's a joy to watch when on it and a big game player usually too (although culpable with the offside line).
Shaw is a distance better than either of France's ones. Better defensively and going forward and technically. His problem is consistency but if he plays at his best then there isn't a full back on the pitch that can touch him. Walker has that feck you pace that can't be trained. France's full backs aren't bad but its the most obvious weak point of either team for me.
@Niall eating well tonight?Really wanted Kounde against Rashford, Foden needs to be tricky out there.
Agree with this.
North Korea's doing, that. He was going to inter, everything was done then the italian FA closed the borders after the disaster of the WC and the deal was off
Your dead right. As much as I hate him (and he can go feck himself forever for what he did to United and ETH) Ronaldo has to be your best player ever, simply because he belongs with Pele and Maradona in the 1B category of best players ever. He has been incredible for Portugal.
theo so good his brother starts over him? yeah not sure.
Think this is quite accurate. Maybe a really close game, and get decided by whoever throws up a clutch performance
Lucas Hernandez is an excellent player though.
