New Women's football thread (inc World Cup) 2023-26

[sussexpob]

Berger needs shooting for that

[Durhamfootman]

wasn't going to be anybody else, was it?

[Durhamfootman]

tightest of angles, low percentage shot, so I reckon Berger thought she was going to flash it across the face of the goal. Bonmati nailed it though

[Durhamfootman]

oh... what a rotten cross.... they were queuing up

Spain it is

[bigfluffylemon]

Opta has the final as 52:48 Spain win/England win

[Durhamfootman]

well, I'm trying to think back to recent meetings between the two sides.

2-1 England QF '22
1-0 Spain WC F '23
1-0 England Nations league
2-1 Spain nations league

they do tend to be tight matches

[Gingerfinch]

Just watched brief highlights. Sorry for pointing out the obvious, but Berger's positioning was abysmal. I'm no keeper expert but most will put their left hand on the post in that situation, to help with their bearings.
Spain again then

Their women beat us, then the men, so it must be our turn?

[Durhamfootman]

good luck with that Ginger

If it helps, Ian Wright said at one of the intervals that he'd prefer Spain to Germany, because Germany would be too direct for England's defence to deal with

[Gingerfinch]

Did you end up watching the Italy game, Footman?

[Durhamfootman]

yes I did. next day though

England looked a bit jaded to me for a big chunk of that game. They generally controlled the possession, with plenty of attacking moves, but nothing resembling an end product. Hemp missed a few, Russo worked her socks off but was never where she should be in the few moments of quality. Bags of effort from the players, but nothing in the 'killer' line. James struggled to get into the game. Morgan made us look less vulnerable to the through ball and the whippet, though

Since the much improved performance against the Dutch and the turkey shoot against Wales, we've looked less and less effective with every game. The best way to tell if England are meandering a bit is to watch Walsh. She gets further forward and shoots more herself as more and more chances go begging and things get more and more desperate

thank goodness for Kelly and Aygemang

[Durhamfootman]

The partisan nature of the commentating and reporting amused me though, as it did again last night

the breathtaking double save from Hampton, turned out in reality to be a spilled first save followed by an immense piece of good fortune. Having fumbled what should have been a good but straightforward save, she ended up on the floor with no options available to her other than a despairing raised hand and the Italian obliged her by poking the ball straight at that despairing hand.

and last night the commo, who had been purring all night at everything Bonmati did, proclaimed a shanked/sliced volley at goal that ended up crossing the by line half way between goal and corner flag, as an amazing piece of skill from an amazing player or some such nonsense

[Gingerfinch]

Are you watching, Footman?

[sussexpob]

Well where did that come from? Been all Spain second half, turning the screw... great ball, pick that header out

[Gingerfinch]

The Spanish marking was like ours. Excellent delivery though and a fantastic header.

[Gingerfinch]

Footmman must be down his allotment.