^ Not good. Conceding an early goal does not help. Allowing Spain a lot of space does not work. Spain always close down quickly when they lose possession.
^^Yes. All of this is true, but the Irish were just outclassed. Spain the better team by far.
Rain stops play. Lightning as well.
Could do with a roof on the Shaktar stadium.
Ready to be disappointed.
Roy is good at managing down expectations though.
3 of the best international goals ive seen since Gazza's Euro 96 stunner!
England can barely string 5 passes together. Appalling at this level, more so when one considers the make up of the team and the perception of the Premiership.
Its probably the worst England team I've seen.
Two good goals, though. So some credit there.
With Rooney back in the side after suspension I do think England can go all the way in this tournament. England to beat Germany in the final, just like Chelsea beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League not long ago.
Dream on AK.
Best to have low expectations and avoid the inevitable disappointment.
England were dumped out of a major tournement via a penalty shoot out yet again. What a shame!
They deserved to go out having had virtually no possession nor goal-scoring opportunities after half-time. The most disappointing aspect is that the manner of the exit allows the FA, the management and the players to think that they were simply unlucky when the truth is that we have a woefully poor first team lacking basic skills and very little strength in depth. Baring a few suspect selections, I actually think Hodgson did OK with what he had to work with. Contrast this with the soul-searching in Holland (after 3 defeats) when, in reality, they have much better players.
English football needs a root-and-branch transformation but sadly I can't see it happening.
^ I don't think anybody is under the illusion that they were unlucky. Standards are going the way of Scotland.
Failure to complete passes.
Failure of players to move intelligently to give others options.
Failure to hold a ball when tackled.
Failure to close down the opponents's key players.
^^^ I do not agree with the extirpation of the current English football team. The problem is very easily diagnosed and can be described in one word - midfield. England's back four played admirably. One really cannot judge the forwards because they rarely got the ball in a position to make a true attack on goal. Despite this fact England was not completely toothless. The problem was that Pirlo looked amazing by the twin facts that he appeared to have all day to decide what to do with the ball, but also because the English midfield appeared inept by contrast. For once England has a keeper - now they need to get a midfield. Can England produce nothing better than Milner and Parker? Give Gerrard his due in the first 3 games he was the best player on the pitch, but yesterday he was less than impressive. That said Milner and Parker made it look like Italy had two extra players.
I can't bear to watch the English football team; especially over here, they are an embarrassment.
Well, if it is any consolation, they are better than the Republic of Ireland ...
Oh, and in other news, Lebron finally got a championship. Perhaps the basketball ignoramuses can leave him alone now.
Spain nearly outfoxed by Portugal. TV commentators could not see beyond Spain but better shooting and Portugal would be through.
Ronaldo's barnet very interesting. He changes it completely at half time - parting on left, parting on right, no parting, spiked up.
Spain were very lucky last night. Their tactics were awful, especially playing Fabregas as a striker. Torres and Llorente must have been fuming on the bench. Like Barcelona against Chelsea, Spain have no Plan B if their passing game fails to open up the defence. The Germans must be favourites now.
It has been said a billion times now but the fact that Ronaldo did not take a PK -especially go first- has to be one of the worst calls ever.