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The 2 world cup finalists have failed to beat Cape Verde over a 90 minute game.

Cape Verde therefore are the best team in the tournament.

Argentina weakness is their full backs, don't see why Tuchel made subs and then left a team with no threat to run in behind. Even if game went extra time the team was so lopsided. Wonder will Tommy get the treatment Beckham got in 98 after losing Argies.

You get the impression Tuchel didn't trust his team to go toe-to-toe with Argentina, hence the increased defensive posture after scoring. His comments about 'lack of quality' after the Norway win were telling. I'm not sure if Argentina have better players (with one obvious exception) than England, but England couldn't play like them in the final 30 minutes of they had to.

The first goal was from a Pickford Hollywood save from a ball that was going over. Lovely stuff.

You sure it wasn't going in?

Have to feel a little for France. Second WC in succession where they've been the best team but won't win it.

They were not the best team, as their elimination from both competitions demonstrates.

They played the best football all the way through til last evening. It was their misfortune to reserve their worst performance for a knockout game. As was said, sport is nuanced and not always the best win out in the end.

Have to feel a little for France. Second WC in succession where they've been the best team but won't win it.

Rather coincidentally for the day and week that's in it, former Argentine captain Antonio Rattin has passed away. Most famously refused to leave the pitch when sent off in the 1966 quarter-final v England. Was the first man to be sent off at Wembley and his actions eventually led to the introduction of yellow and red cards. An uncertain legacy to leave to be sure.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/13/antonio-rattin-obituary

Anne Widdiecombe
Deffo won't make the music thread

She turned out to be an ould bitch too

She had plenty to say for herself during Brexit; God forgive me, she's a small loss.

Why are the hurling lads not doing any media stuff this week?

Any chance of Clare/Galway giving us something worth watching this weekend?

All 4 teams have refused to do media in the lead up.
And yet we still have people saying we need to push all-Irelands in to August to "promote the game" or to "allow the championship to breathe".
The championship structure is not causing a lack of promotion. A lack of promotion is causing a lack of promotion.

Why have they refused?

Management teams don't want their players talking to the media I guess. This isn't new - it's being the norm for some time.
It's their prerogative , and they don't owe the media their time. But when I hear the argument that the split season is affecting the promotion of the intercounty competitions, this is the first thing I think of. They could have the entire year for intercounty and the promotion wouldn't improve.

What is poor Martin Brehony going to write about now?

You mean, what is Martin Brehony going to poorly write about now.

Ref. not too favorable to Mayo either - Cork getting easier frees as opposed to few for Mayo.

Nobody will get within 6 points of Kerry from  here.

If Kerry don't win  Sam this year , I'll buy a hat and eat it.

David Clifford getting injured is the only thing that might lead to you having to consume millinery production.

Even without Clifford , they will  win it

Not at all guaranteed. He elevates them from decent to very difficult to beat. His scoring returns are disporportionate to the rest of the forwards.

Starmer gone, was very poor, just like the last 4/5 PM.

Real shame. Unlike the last 4/5 PM, he at least had integrity, cared for this country and was transparently pro-EU.

Four home wins this weekend?

36 years + 1 day ago.

Kickstarted that memorable summer.

Galway were in everyone's Tier 1, but losing their star defender to the Big Brother reality show will impact their coverage in that area. 

If things go bad v Westmeath, the Galway sporting fraternity will vote him off Love Island so that's he free to return.

Eoin Ryan is away travelling.
Others opted out like Rory O'Connor, Conor McDonald, Cathal Dunbar and Charlie McGuckin.
AJ Redmond from Rathnure is definitely good enough too. Maybe even Paudie Foley should still be in there.

Rory O'Connor also went travelling, did he not?