[hibeejim21]

Croatia were a shadow of the team they were in the World Cup, and they missed big Mandzukic.

I didn't think England were that great, the game was a bit of a borefest. Really felt like I watched a different game to the pundits.

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I thought England looked great for 20 minutes, then the Croatia coach tweaked the counter tactics and England fizzled out. That could easily have finished 0-0.

They should still win all the games in their group though.

[theo_luddite]

Really felt like I watched a different game to the pundits.

I didn't see the game or hear the pundits but for some reason I know what you mean. Can't think why?

Come on you Macadonuts, I've got them in the sweep. Oh, bollox. Why am I not surprised?

[St Charles Owl]

Croatia were a shadow of the team they were in the World Cup, and they missed big Mandzukic.

I didn't think England were that great, the game was a bit of a borefest. Really felt like I watched a different game to the pundits.

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I thought England looked great for 20 minutes, then the Croatia coach tweaked  the counter tactics and England fizzled out. That could easily have finished 0-0.

They should still win all the games in their group though.

I agree with that Jim. I think we maybe gave Croatia too much respect, which is understandable considering recent history. It was a good team performance but at some point one or two players are going to have to have blinders.

Looking at Croatia, maybe this game should give Scotland more hope against them.

[theo_luddite]

Football unites in support of Christian Eriksen

What a pity UEFA didn't given they've got the gall to put this on their website. Hypocrites.

[WakeyTerrier]

Morning all.

Great to be back at Wembley for the footy. Nice and easy to get in, had our covid Vaccination/lateral flow test to show first. Then they activate the mobile ticket. took less than a minute all in all.
22.5K in the ground, with possibly a couple of hundred from Croatia. Considering it was only a quarter full the crowd made some decent noise. National anthem was belted out. We did our best to drown out those that don't agree with the taking of the knee and when the goal went in it felt like Wembley was full.
The match itself, we were well on top for the first 20minutes and had Foden's shot gone in off the post rather than back out then we would've seen a totally different game. We couldn't possibly keep that pace up in the stifling heat of Wembley
My observations from the game.
Pickford- Kicking was awful, seems to be concentration on putting so much spin on the ball at the expense of accuracy
Walker-Solid at the back, rubbish going forward.
Stones and Mings- did ok.
Phillips- Probably deserved his MOTM award. broke play up well and created the goal.
Sterling- The crowd had just about given up on him and were chanting for Grealish when Stirling popped up with the winner.


3points in the bag, bring on our friends from North of the Border on Friday when I'm sure the atmosphere will be even better

[Lord Snooty]

Football unites in support of Christian Eriksen

What a pity UEFA didn't given they've got the gall to put this on their website. Hypocrites.

Peter Schmeicel has now come out and said that they were threatened with a mandatory 3-0 defeat if they didn't complete the match.

That's disgusting. It really is.

I know it's not appropriate now but...........

Town at Blackpool! Result stands at 0-0.    

[theo_luddite]

When you see how UEFA behave in circumstances like this then it's no wonder some clubs wanted to set up an alternative that UEFA couldn't get their money grubbing hands on.

[Devongone]

England were clearly better than Croatia with a team I wouldn't have selected. Phillips simply was excellent. He was up against two midfielders who would get into any side in world football and he came out on top. He could never have dreamed of doing that before he met Bielsa could he?

Denmark should never have been asked, forced or ALLOWED to play on. But pre-Eriksen's collapse they were looking pretty ragged. Schmeichel made an error that exemplifies why he isn't one of the world's top keepers. Finland scored, because they had a plan to grab a goal; Denmark were just expecting a goal to happen. 0-1 was only an unexpected score line at kick off, by the time of Eriksen's terrible collapse it had become unsurprising. The choice of Hojberg to take the penalty both confirmed that Denmark were no longer mentally present due to Eriksen's illness and that they weren't actually very good at all. The decision to play on was dreadful, but the result was already on the cards in my view. I think UEFA imagined Denmark would go on and win anyway and that's why they pressed them, but as Bob Dylan say, you don't have to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

Having just watched Scotland, leaving out Adams was nearly as baffling as England's benching of Grealish. How anyone can blame Hendry for the second goal, having looked like one of Scotland's most likely scorers when stepping up from the back, baffles me too. If your goalie takes up a position on a bus just outside the ground I'd say he's pretty culpable when the opposition score from the halfway line. Is Steve Clarke allowed to use the strap under Scottish Law?

I think Scotland also needs to get over its Andy Robertson fixation. He may well be the world's best in his position, but you've got to have other plans. McGinn was permanently marked, McTominay was ineffective, and until Adams appeared Dykes was too obvious a sole outlet having dipped his head in whitewash pre-match. In fact Scotland aren't bad, they need to ensure they don't lose against England so they can capitalise on Croatia's difficulties up front. First step is use Robertson less but more effectively.

[Baggiebob(BBB)]

Sterling was officially given MOM.

Scotland didn't have the luck on there side today, had they it'll have been a draw. As for Croatia's second goal, which was outstanding, why the hell was the keeper 25yrds out of his goal - madness.

[Devongone]

Sterling had his best game for ages, but Phillips had the best game I've ever seen him play, beyond what I imagined were his capabilities.

Keeper was between the edge of his box and the halfway line. Why? I can't think of any benefit. At 33 he should know better than to show off .....