It was definitely a "shoulda coulda woulda" performance, which is fine in the first round against a mediocre team, but will get you beat in the knockout rounds against better competition. I agree they're the team to beat - I have them winning this tournament - and while they didn't play horribly their failure to score was disappointing in my book. I have high expectations for Les Bleus and they didn't live up to them last night. But soccer/football is a lot like horse racing - even the best teams can have an off night.
One thing I know about the Euro Cup or World Cup, England's not going to win it. Unless it's the Women's Football World Cup or something. I'd be lying if I said if I knew England's Women's team have won a lot of cups or not, to be honest, but I blame society for that one.
I characterized the second goal as a gift because Hungary's defense went Full Keystone Cops on that play: Absolutely horrendous...
The Portuguese were too fast for them. That's what happens when you give more space to a superior team. I think the merit is the Portuguese's, more than a defensive failure. That was a beautiful triangulation, very well done, and it caught the defense by surprise.
The Lionesses have never won an important cup. The best they did was runners-up twice in the Euros. Against the United States they mostly fail almost every time, except that they won the short invitational tournament SheBelieves Cup in 2019 in the United States, by beating Japan and Brazil and drawing with the hosts 2-2, while the hosts also beat Brazil but drew with Japan. In 2020, though, the United States won the Cup, beating England 2-0.
LOL, unfortunately for you, she is married too, to a footballer. And yes, she is great. Beautiful and talented. Go USA!
To their credit, Ronaldo & Co. couldn't have drawn it up and executed any better, but Number 4 of Hungary (Szalai) should have never come off of Ronaldo. Where did he go - off to write his girlfriend a letter? Dear Hanna, I just got pwned by Christiano Ronaldo. Please don't break up with me. Love, Attila
I was not happy with either one of those teams last week. I hope Bale has better game, too. He was a non-factor against Switzerland.
He's been much better so far. Supplied 2 or 3 great chances that would have been goals if he was on the end of the passes. Ramsey is going to rue his missed opportunities if Turkey manage to score.
No missing that time. Perfectly placed ball from Bale, great first touch and goal from Ramsey. 1-0 Wales.
My vote goes to Phillips for the best player with Sterling a close second. I may be slightly biased though. Doubly biased in the case of Calvin Phillips since he plays for my club team Leeds. No doubt he was the best player in England's match against Croatia though. Modric was kept out of the game.