Astafjevs

Top save

Great composure

I think Brazil have been good tbh. Efficient, getting the job done, looking a threat when they go forward. In the games that mattered, Serbia had 0 shots on target, Switzerland had 0 shots on target. All the while Brazil looked like they could score 4+ goals. Can't ask for much more.

No way Neymar is 100% fit after that injury. Where's Alex Sandro?

'put under pressure in that situation ' I feel like when you miss the first two, the pressure is eased a bit off the opposition penalty takers.

Brazil are going to murder Croatia. Criminal acts all over the pitch in that game

Thought Livaja's penalty was alright really. Just a bit unlucky to drag it onto the post.

Ah well. Shame because didn't think Croatia were that good

Horrible penalty

It's just one of those games between two big teams at a tournament. Unless it's a horrible matchup or some weird thing where one team's record is bad against another (Italy-Germany is an example), then sometimes one will win, sometimes the other. It looks like we could get a few of them in the QFs - already have Holland-Argentina and may well have Spain-Portugal. Also big matches that can go either way.

England obviously have a chance. I rate France's as slightly higher because they have Mbappé and some better players in more areas than England, but it's not like England are massive underdogs or something. Probably 55-45 in France's favour.

I don't think Phillips is better than Rice at progressing the ball like that. It's just a general weakness in England's midfield and what they have available. Bellingham and Rice are great at progressing the ball with carries, but when one has to play as the pivot and progress it with passing, they can't do it. There's no-one available who can from what I see. One of the problems they've had for years, probably since Carrick, that other teams don't suffer from. They need a Rodri/Tchouaméni/Jorginho/Enzo Fernandez type. Or even a different type of number 6/8 that can do it - Verratti, Pedri, Modric etc.

Extra points for the correct use of the plural Scudetti

Not really sure that needs a wink. It would be true really given France are probably the best team left in it

I don't think making like for like subs at 3-0 up is the win you think it is

That defending though Saka just wanders into the box unmarked. He was unmarked from the moment he started the run

Hit it hard down the middle. Would expect a goalkeeper to get closer

Rice isn't a player who can operate at the base, as the 'pivot', or whatever you want to call the role. Wasn't great there vs. Wales and he's not playing well there now. It's one of the big reasons why England's buildup has been so bad. Central defenders having to ignore him. Unfortunately I don't think England have an alternative

That should be a yellow card

That is a low quality Senegal team.

You'll get even fewer of them vs. France when Gareth reverts to his back seven.

They need to change it so that it's one smooth run up. None of this stopping completely rubbish that can be abused. If you're going to nail keepers to the line - and that's a decent change imo - then don't allow takers to fake them to an extent where they're coming off the line

They've got to get rid of those stutter run-ups

This will be given as a penalty