It is now time to switch to a new Money AM football blog as the world cup is now over and we all look to the future.....World cup 2010 is over, Bravo Espana, and Forlan, once again and bring on the new season !.....I never expected the last thread to be such a success...thanks all.... so this new one might go on for years without the need to edit the title...we shall see...

I think GS ought to say ….we shall rest a few players for Saturdays match against Belgium....but then field a very strong one.....I mean it would be nice to win that match....and let's take the shackles off the players.....this is very much an important one and the the preparation for the Euros and whatever this new-fangled competition that Fifa have dreamed up...(haven't the foggiest idea how that will work)…..starts right now !.....(the semis and final are all at Wembley in two years time !)….

Slo-mo shows Kane's Wednesday night shot was not 'off-target' but was actually brilliantly saved by Croatian goalkeeper, Daniel Subasic:

https://www.caughtoffside.com/2018/07/14/slo-mo-video-shows-harry-kane-did-not-miss-sitter-vs-croatia/



If the shot had been successful, it would have put us 2-0 up. Ah well.

Anyhow, Kane didn't miss this close range shot. It was actually stupendously saved.

Need to improve the midfield play England.....done well to get to the semis ...and really should have got to the final....bad defensive play cost us yesterday and not good enough in front of goal also.....

France should win ….might not be the walk in the park expected...I'm wondering if this Croatia side might put up very stiff resistance for most of the game......

Well done France!

8-)

Yep...bravo France....but have to feel a bit sorry for Croatia as the ref was pretty hopeless....endless mistakes....but overall if you cover the whole world cup...les Bleus deserve it so once again Bravo !....and well done Harry Kane...!...

What is this Var system about ?....its far from perfect as it seems to confuse refs....you have to take into account the speed of the ball...not just the slow replay.....

There should be two awards for the goal of the tournament...one for a team effort....one for an individual goal.....my best is the one when I think it was a Portugese defender scored ….from the outside of his foot and it curled round a block of defenders....will have to research it.....anyway it was fantastic.....

Imo that was a penalty

Clearly the opinion too of the VAR panel and the officiating ref

His hand went to the ball

One of the most difficult penalty decisions to have to make for sometime I thought which is why the ref took so long.

Whilst the arm did come down to meet the ball the hand was floppy and not firm which if
intentional would have been firm.

On first viewing I thought no penalty and still do, but as I say not easy.

Glad France won in the end as less cynical then the Croatians in the tournament.

Thought it was a really good WC as far as attacking football is concerned.

I agree, great competition this time.
2022 is in Qatar(?) in the winter, during northern hemisphere football season!

From a brilliantly successful World Cup in 2018 then to it being an absolute disaster in 2022?

Hmmm?

Didn't like the style of refereeing; lack of yellows for stopping players on the break - allows teams poor against the counter to reduce the risk by foul means.

England:

Someone who brings the ball out without knowing the exits isn't a ball playing defender. Someone who can't defend isn't a defender. Too much weight given to an illusion.

When the opposition begin getting to your back line with increasing frequency you look at your system; a one for one swap in midfield was a mistake.

The winners, France, the best of a bad lot.

If the midfield performs...it takes weight off the defending.....England have to be going at the opposition...if that stops..: it's curtains most of the time.....it's due to our style of play, we are not good at sitting back defending a lead....

"Tom Heaton has not travelled with the Clarets’ squad as they prepare to launch their Europa League challenge tonight.

The club captain and keeper has a calf strain and so hasn’t made the trip to Aberdeen for the second qualifying round tie first leg."

Do you still want him back Dil -):

A "Thank you message" from Sir Alex Ferguson:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ8Ac-LeIfw

Of course I do Stan.

Would have been England keeper at the WC if he hadn't got injured last season.

"Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope sustained a potentially serious shoulder injury in the Europa League draw at Aberdeen.

Pope, making his first appearance since returning from England’s World Cup campaign, was taken to hospital following the 12th minute collision, which resulted in Anders Lindegaard making his Clarets debut."

Sorry Dil due to the above we are a bit short on keepers these days -):

Off topic, but a great result for Geraint, Dil. Cardiff's finest.

He isn't French, must be on drugs.