World Cup 2026

[AjaxAndy]

Gordon is a better player for a side who wants to press like England and Barca do - I think the first 60 minutes looks very different with Rashford on the pitch and Croatia would have found it much easier to play out from the back

Rashford's chance came when the game was stretched with Croatia pressing for an equaliser and having switched to a back 4

Yeah although Gordon was a bit anonymous I think him starting and working hard to press is preferable than Rashford being asked to do the same.

It's also better for Rashford to come on once the game is stretched than Gordon too imo.

Would be easy to make a case for Rashford starting after scoring and looking dangerous when he came on, but again it's about what works best as a team not just an individual, and Tuchel seems to have this idea nailed down perfectly right now.

[Shogun]

I only watched the highlights but Panama and Ghana both looked levels below Croatia.

Quite glad we got the hard game out the way first, and that it exposed some weaknesses that we can work on against lesser opposition over the next 2 days.

Oh 100%, you'd expect the Croatia to recent tournaments to win fairly comfortably against both of those, so it'll be interesting to see if they actually do.

A 40 year old Modric and 37 year old Perisic starting would suggest that cycle has come to an end now.

[Cereal Killer]

It is quite difficult to see anyone going through with just 3 points at this point. There might be someone who loses out on 3rd with even 4 points.

Trolling the Scots there?

[sam of the south]

All of the attacks have come down the left so Gordon hasn’t seen much of the ball but you can see why managers seem to love him - his pressing really is impressive

I reckon you can credit Lampard a bit with that. I remember Gordon pressing like a lunatic in his first match as manager against Brentford, and Gordon was even shouting at Richarlison to press more, which shows the extent of his intensity.

[sam of the south]

He only played him because he is keeping saka bubble wrapped.

Saka does similar but ten times better I think.

Felt good watching us.

When 3-2 up Southgate would have us defending for our lives, taking off forwards etc for defence.

It's why we lost the final v Italy. Once we went ahead, we reverted to defence.

Was good to push and keep attacking.

Southgate should’ve brought Grealish on way earlier iirc

[Shogun]

I do hate that we live in a world where pressing well means you're good enough for Barcelona.

[Cereal Killer]

I do hate that we live in a world where pressing well means you're good enough for Barcelona.

Already got my lad doing endless shuttles and sprint training, he’s going all the way to the top! Don’t even think I’ll need to buy a ball!

[Shogun]

1-0 Czechs who have been all over South Africa tbf.

Amusing to see Soucek dropped even after scoring in the first game because he moves like a tree

[Cereal Killer]

Shocker, never a pen, he can’t chop his arm off