XuluBak

Even MLS sides are shaking their head at that corner "routine."

If his right leg stays put, I think he's fine, but most refs are giving that. Still absurd that Kovacic is booked before an Argentinian for fouling him though. He should've drawn 2-3 yellows.

Still no booking... Argentina have to go out for any hope for a reasonably officiated final.

Oh look, Argentina avoiding another blatantly obvious booking.

Think Messi will have to be the difference maker to get another chance for the trophy.

France seems the "safe bet." The part of me that wanted to see Messi win was overshadowed by Lahoz's handling of their QF match against the Netherlands. As great as Messi is, that Argentinian side isn't very likeable. Croatia or Morocco winning would be fantastic.

Mbappe/Messi will probably win if their sides win. Croatia or Morocco winning would be interesting... Probably just assume Modric, rightly or wrongly, based on "career achievement" if nothing else. Amrabat has been by far the biggest surprise. He's not a younger, breakout player that people just haven't seen playing in some random league few people watch. He's an established player that's in his fourth season playing mid-table Serie A.

France created at least three big chances from open play. Giroud's goal, Giroud's wide open chance just moments before (decent save, but surely even Giroud is thinking he should've done better with that), and Mbappe getting by Walker to the byline and playing it back to Dembele (which didn't result in a shot because of an awful touch). But they weren't really pushing for chances most of the match. TBF, the missed foul on Kane looked likely to produce a good chance, but both pens and the foul that afforded Rashford the late free kick were absolutely ridiculous defending. Saka played well, and was aggressively running at the backline, getting some fouls, not others, but without an overlap (or any attacking threat at all) on that side, it always seemed a foul was the best case scenario. Kane was decent, but if he's dropping deep to be the play maker, then the scoring has to come from the wings, or a midfielder running beyond him. That midfield doesn't really give you that, and Foden, for as talented of a young player as he is, seems to go missing in some of these bigger matches. Kounde was quite poor, arguably France's weakest link heading into yesterday, but seemed to get off pretty easy. For as much hype as there was about Mbappe vs Walker, Foden vs Kounde should've been just as critical and it wasn't. For as conservatively as France played most of the match, they didn't look defensively sound. Upamecano in particular was a disaster. Given the alternatives on the bench, I probably would've pulled him at halftime. But it didn't really feel like he was put under much fire as the match went on. After the first pen, there was about a ten minute stretch, where it seemed the game was there for England to take it, and it just never happened. I've been as critical of Southgate as anyone, but actually thought he got it mostly right yesterday*, until it came time to make subs. For me, he completely dropped the ball there. First, waiting too long, then the subs he actually made, were completely wrong. If I were an England fan, that's why I'd want him out. It's like watching OGS at United, except, Southgate has far more talent at his disposal, but it seems beyond his ability to know how to use it in different ways. This isn't even "Southgate is too conservative," Deschamps has demonstrated there's nothing wrong with being conservative, situationally, but you've got to be able to change within a match. Southgate seems a good man manager, and the players like him well enough, but tactically, there's plan A, and that's it. I get not starting TAA, you don't have the supporting cast to empower him to play the way he wants/needs, without leaving you too vulnerable at the back, but 2-1 down in a knockout match, how the F do you take Saka and Henderson off for Mount and Sterling? Rashford on was fine, but should've come sooner, and probably instead of Mount (I don't think Foden should play centrally most of the time, but in that situation, when you're chasing a game, that's when you gotta consider it). Even when it should've been full on desperation mode, you have two of the best crossers / set piece delivery guys in the world sitting on the bench? Why? You're in a must-win situation, where you should be throwing the kitchen sink at getting an equalizer. What the literal F were those subs? I'm not an England fan and those subs pissed me off. * Midfield wasn't right at the start, with Henderson and Bellingham both playing higher/wider, and Rice being isolated and hiding, but once France scored and dropped off, that midfield setup actually worked well for England.

That's definitely not correct. He had a decent chance, he put over the bar in the first half. He also really should've had an assist. Not sure if Giroud got a slight touch, and that put Dembele off, or if Dembele just took a terrible (and completely unnecessary) touch. The latter was really, really poor throughout, and not sure why he wasn't subbed much earlier in the match. Walker played well enough, but it was a good team effort to force someone other than Mbappe to beat England. Dembele clearly wasn't up for it, but unfortunately for England, Griezmann was.

Of course it's how VAR is supposed to work. The ref doesn't have the benefit of perfect positioning, perfect angle, unobstructed views, etc. for every call. I mean, you're talking about Theo not even looking at the ball, which is something we knew because of camera angles and replays. That's not information the ref had until he went to the monitor. It's not a matter of "ducking calls" in real time, it's a matter of what they should do when it's unclear in real time, from their perspective. The best example I can provide off the top of my head is potential fumbles in American football (which has had replay for decades now). They are instructed to err on the side of it being a fumble because that let's the play run it's course. If it turns out that it shouldn't have been a fumble, then it's easy to undo, but if they blow the play dead, when it actually should've been a fumble, then what would've happened is lost. Re: Pens, they should err towards it not being a pen, because it's a lot easier to give a pen via VAR than it is to take one away. Also, not the case in this instance, but there are plenty of situations where that maybe a pen, maybe not a pen actually plays out to be a goal. If you call the pen, then take it away, that potential goal is lost. If you let it run, then the play can naturally result in a goal OR you can revisit and give the pen. Conversely, refs and their assistants should be more cautious in giving attacking fouls in transitional/high impact moments, because they can always go back and take the goal away, they can't take the foul away and award the goal that might've/would've happened. Again, not saying the ref or their assistants should be afraid to make calls, especially when they're in a good position to make a clear call. I'm saying they should acknowledge their limitations and that technology exists to help them, and actually let it help in situations of uncertainty. That is why it exists.

Absolutely this. Not sure what people are talking, suggesting English fans are entitled. If I were an English fan I'd be pissed about how negative Southgate has been with the talent he has at his disposal. For as well as England played yesterday, how many chances did they actually create? Now, how many did they create from open play?

Except, he didn't. He let a lot go, both ways. Kane foul wasn't a pen, it just wasn't. He gave the Saka one without hesitation. He gave the Mount one, with a yellow, on review. On the last one, I don't think him not giving it live was bad, I think it was sensible refereeing with VAR in place. Mount has absolutely no play on the ball, Theo makes contact, but how much? Players go down easy, trying to buy a pen in that situation all the time. Live, from the ref's perspective, better to not give it and let VAR do their job. If he gives it, and it's soft, VAR can't do much because there WAS contact. If he doesn't give it, then VAR can look at different angles and tell him to have a look. EXACTLY what happen. That's how VAR is supposed to work.

He hardly "pocketed" him. Tbf, that clearly wasn't the plan. He was getting one or two helpers just about everytime Mbappe got the ball. The one time he didn't, Mbappe beat him to the byline and got a dangerous ball to Dembele...who was comfortably one of the worst players on the pitch.

Not surprisingly, both managers held their side back at times. When France were going forward, trying to score, they looked in control. When they didn't, England did. There was a point after the first pen, where it seemed like the match was England's for the taking, just needed a sub or two, and they never came. Fully expected France to win after that stretch, once they regained their footing. Giroud wasted his first chance, didn't expect him to waste another. Upamecano was dreadful, especially in the first half. He owes Lloris big for bailing him out. No clue how/why he's starting over Saliba/Konate. Theo is completely wasted under Deschamps. Saka was fantastic. Unless he picked up a knock, subbing him off was criminally bad management. Thought Bellingham played great as well, until he lost his head. Will give Southgate credit for throwing multiple defenders at Mbappe, force someone else to try to beat you. Dembele was terrible, killing attack after attack with bad decisions. Griezmann, however, was up for it. Probably MotM. The subs after 2-1 were farcical.

On individual talent, the teams that got knocked out > than those that advanced.

That's supposed to be a booking, and I think I saw it given once, then they stopped. All refs everywhere. Boycotting the rule, I guess.

It can't be red. It's not a clear goal scoring opportunity. Mount doesn't have the ball and was never getting the ball.

That was profoundly stupid. Mount is never in a million years getting that.

Instead of Foden, no less. Saka and Bellingham have been fantastic. Barely noticed Foden most the match.

The lack of subs at this point is a little baffling. Both sides have plenty of depth, and at least a couple candidates to bring off.

He didn't though. Dembele has to do better.

Almost gifted it right back.

Stupid challenge, easy decision.

Phillips. Put Rice where Henderson is and let the actual 6 play 6.

Think the ref is pretty consistently letting a lot go.