World Cup 2026

[quit yo jibbajabba]

First goal crucial in these tussles with little separating teams. I feel like Captain Obvious now

[AustinPowers]

I had my doubts about Spain up  to now. They bored the  arse of me (as did France at  times) , but they looked very good  last night. So,  if those feckers do go through tonight,  hopefully Spain will  produce a similar performance.

England were really. poor v Norway.  Can't really say anyone  stood up . You'd hope their unbelievable  luck  will run out tonight.

[quit yo jibbajabba]

Top 3 for possession/passes in the WC are Spains two centre halves and Rodri think that says plenty. If Spain go one up you're in trouble.

A few seem to have forgotten, were Spain not comfortable enough in the euro final against England or have I misremembered?

Anyways, I still say not to panic till I say so

[bennydorano]

I never quite believe England are as hated as much as people like to let on, there's a lot of secret supporters out there. I'll not get too excited 2nite either way. I do think they'll win too.

[BigGreenField]

I never quite believe England are as hated as much as people like to let on, there's a lot of secret supporters out there. I'll not get too excited 2nite either way. I do think they'll win too.

A pantomime villain, fun to boo for some, not the same show if they aren't there.

[statto]

Any of the pundits I have saw have all tipped England, slightly disrespectful to Argentina who are defending champions and have the experience of winning the competition 4 years ago.  There will be a pressure for England knowing the expectation at home and the fact they haven't been to a final since 1966.

Argentina have a few players that will be up for the fight, like of Romero and Martinez will not need much motivation seeing some of the comments from the English media about them.

The game has potential to be excellent as there are questions about both at the back.

[JollyGreenGiant]

I never quite believe England are as hated as much as people like to let on, there's a lot of secret supporters out there. I'll not get too excited 2nite either way. I do think they'll win too.

A pantomime villain, fun to boo for some, not the same show if they aren't there.

I'd also think there are people walking around Ireland today in a heap of anxiety about England winning tonight. It's like a real primal fear and they are already spiralling  about Sunday. English celebrations, dancing at crossroads, a four year pub session, every lamppost from Lands End to John O'Grotes covered in English pageantry, a homecoming attended by all 60 million inhabitants, Churchill, Thatcher and Cromwell reanimated to stand on a plinth with Boris Johnson and welcome the team back. Every English person will mention it every five seconds in conversation, and will deflect conversations towards it. Legends will be made and stories will be told for years to come.

Of course, if England do win, there will be over half the population who won't switch on their television to watch the match. There will be phone-ins with people complaining about blocked streets and transport delays. Business will push back against a "day off". And, those who do support the team, will go back to work on Monday with banging hangovers, work deadlines, family commitments etc, and the world will carry on.

I actually feel a set of Irish football fans would be better served by not watching the match (or the final if England get there). England's success is not some sort of highlight of our failure. In reality, it's little to do with us.

[Milltown Row2]

It would not change a single thing in my life whether they win or lose, I'm ref'ing tonight won't see all of it and she'll probably have Love Island on 

[square_ball]

It must be some buzz for England fans today no matter about it. Liverpool fans might even jump on the bandwagon.

[Look-Up!]

It's a bit of craic to see them fail. Scots love to see them fail too. They'll be quick enough to drag up old history themselves if they get one over the Argies tonight so all's fair and all that.

Don't really mind if they win it this time. Have always the throw back that it took a German to do what an Englishman couldn't.

[DaleCooper]

Air conditioned stadium should favour England. Horrific looking but the camera aperture like roof mechanism is incredible. Stadiums the real star of this WC

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=anUhGgUaar4

[J70]

Top 3 for possession/passes in the WC are Spains two centre halves and Rodri think that says plenty. If Spain go one up you're in trouble.

A few seem to have forgotten, were Spain not comfortable enough in the euro final against England or have I misremembered?

Anyways, I still say not to panic till I say so

Spain were very comfortable. When Rodri went off at half-time, the assumption was that it would open up a bit for England, but Zubamendi came on in his place and ran the game. First time I'd ever seen him play, and right before Liverpool's bid became public.

[square_ball]

It was comfortable in so far as they were in control of the game but still took a goal in the 86th minute to win it.

[AustinPowers]

It was comfortable in so far as they were in control of the game but still took a goal in the 86th minute to win it.

True. They left it very  late

Spain , even the 2010 version, might have passed  teams  to death , but they rarely  trounced teams, which is worrying if them  feckers get there

[quit yo jibbajabba]

Fairs. I had it down as a 2 0 then palmer scored late to make a game of it lol. Old mind playing tricks

Anyways they are kings of possession if eng/arg score first it could be a great game if Spain score first.....

But back to tonight 😄