Itās not uncommon for German refs to check the VAR footage and tell them to go to hell with it.
Well it was fun watching that with a bunch of English and Dutch fans. All very good natured and I had a chat with a Dutch chap about Arne Slot.
England are weird. They actually looked good in the first half and resorted to anti-football and get lucky in the second. It looked like England got the winner just after Southgate had made his subs to bore it out to penalties.
Anyway, I had said that the winners would probably be decided by the Spain vs Germany fixture and I suspect that will still be the case. It should be fun watching it in Liverpool, though.
Thatās a bit harsh. Was clearly going for the win with his subs. If any criticism itās that he should have hooked Kane far earlier
Just a reminder that, like in Southgateās previous tournaments, the draws have been exceedingly kind
Serbia, Denmark, Slovenia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Netherlands.
Youād be happy with that as a qualifying pool. And they still struggled in most of those games.
England are through to another final note through luck than ability. Spain are going to absolutely mince them.
And Spain played mighty Georgia and Albania and very poor French, German and Italian sides.
Itās coming homeā¦
If Southgate sets up England in the usual way, i.e. have his team sit deep in their own half and allow Spain all the possession, he might as well as forfeit the final. Spain are going to play right through them.
Englandās only chance is to do exactly what Southgate is afraid of, and be brave with the ball and aggressive.
It really doesnāt look like it is.
Getting France (pre tournament favourites), Germany (Hosts) and Italy (Holders) is comparable to Englandās draw?
Really?
Iāve got a horrible feeling that England will dig in and grind out an ugly win based on grit, determination and the Dunkirk spirit.
We will then hear about nothing else for the next fifty years.
On paper Spain have had a much tougher draw, but current form wise both Italy and France have had a poor tournament. Germany were playing well and a stronger test. For England weāve played quite a few defensive and well organised teams and have been found lacking in those absolutely. However both the Swiss and the Dutch were playing well and growing into the tournament - so tough games.
Still think that Spain had a tougher draw overall because even playing poorly both France and Italy have players to produce those special moments that win games. But I donāt think ācomparableā is that far out there given how France and Italy have actually performed.
This is so nice to see, both sets of fans mingling.
https://x.com/FBAwayDays/status/1811058501126381707?t=0NdgEjkxYxq_q_wCjgVUOA&s=09
I really like this one. This lovely German copper is a doppelgƤnger for Gareth. He
is trying not to laugh.
Maybe, he is long lost twin, Gerhardt SĆ¼dgate, lol!
https://x.com/footbalIfights/status/1811081974221537374?t=GkjsGrrTzAwmKn9Tjk6Tiw&s=09
Clearly tougher draw, as Germany was still the second best team in this tournament.
Donāt forget Croatia as well. Thereās no debate that Spain have had it more difficult than England so far. It will count for nothing if England win, of course.
I think that England have more individual quality across the board but Spain play with more cohesion. It will be an interesting final for sure.
I canāt think of a single position where England have more individual quality.
Maybe up front if they start Watkins, but Iād take Morata over Kane currently
England have a chance if Southgate takes the call to drop Kane.
Hope Trent doesnāt play , The spanish offense is going to give the English defense a hard time. Better have Trent out of the fire.
Position for position and taking at least the past season into account, Carvajal, Rodri and Ruiz are better players than their English counterparts and Cucurella has had a great tournament so far and is experiencing something of a career revival but a fit Shaw is a better and more consistent left back for me. Kane isnāt fully fit, otherwise Morata isnāt a patch on him. The rest? I really donāt think so.
As well as the 3 you mention:
Simon > Pickford
Nacho + Laporte > Guehi + Stones
Williams/Yamal v Saka/Foden up for debate but Iād definitely take the former in this tournament.
Olmo/Pedri better than anyone in England team
Sorry, I honestly meant to mention Simon (but even my subconciousness loathes to mention Pickford).
Saka and Foden in their best roles at the club level are miles ahead of Williams and Yamal in their roles. Thatās not a slight on the latter two, weāre talking about the best that Premier League has to offer at the moment.
Same goes for Stones (ugh). Heās immense, Laporte was sold because of him and Diaz, and Iād take Guehi on this seasonās form than either Laporte or Le Normand.
Similar goes for Bellingham, whoās also not playing in his best role. Olmo and Pedri arenāt at his level in that case.
The subs are also decent in Englandās case. 
France have been this tournament who they have always been under Deschamps - a frustratingly restrained team seemingly not getting the best out of the wealth of talent they have who nonetheless keep advancing through all their tournaments. If weāre downplaying a convincing win over them as not worth praising, then no wins in international football matter