World Cup 2026

[sussexpob]

After listening to weeks of US journalists talk about their side like they are 1982 Brazil, the USA will be left to ponder on the absolutely massive gulf in class between their team and a second rate, declining European footballing power that had made almost zero attacking impact vs Iran, Egypt and for 80 minutes were outclassed by Senegal. I am seeing a lot of people try to pony up the Trump interference and all the backlash as having ruined their preparation, or gee'd up Belgium to reach another level, but that really doesn't come close to explaining how abject they were for 95% of this game.

The first goal comes from Trossard lightly pressing the right back and him coughing the ball up as soon as he feels the pressure coming. The second, a striker with almost zero aerial threat flattens a CB double his size and wins a ball that he had no right to. The third was comically bad and by far the worst error of the tournament. And the fourth, Belgium just walked through the defence like it wasn't there.

The USA lost every physical 1 v 1, their passing was continually intercepted or misdirected, their marking was a calamity, they made error after error technically when pressed .... For teams that made the knockout rounds, this was by far the worst performance any have ponied up in the tournament. Until Balogun found space on the left in the 80th minute and hit his shot straight at Courtois, the whole sum of America's attacking effort was one own goal deflected in from a free kick that was not even remotely close to being a foul.

Pre-tournament, First things First (FOX Sports biggest daily sports podcast) ranked Pulisic as a top 3 player in the world. I wouldn't even take him at USG on a free..... he might as well have been a traffic cone last night.

0/10 for USA. Technically, physically outclassd

[sussexpob]

As for the Spain v Portugal match, I don't know if this was a case of two quality sides completely cancelling each other out, or two fairly average teams struggling to produce any quality.... but either way, the second half was among the most of boring spectacles of football I can remember enduring in recent times. Spain played well until the first hydration break, and I think if this was a boxing match they'd have won on points doing just enough to win the game, but now with one eye on the next 3 games....

Well, if Spain play like that they havent a hope in hell of beating someone like France. They need to up their game significantly if they hope to go home with the trophy.

[Durhamfootman]

Spain and Belgium play their QF the day before England Norway, who played their R16 the day before them. Not sure why their QF has such a short turnaround time, tbh

[Durhamfootman]

After listening to weeks of US journalists talk about their side like they are 1982 Brazil, the USA will be left to ponder on the absolutely massive gulf in class ...........
Pre-tournament, First things First (FOX Sports biggest daily sports podcast) ranked Pulisic as a top 3 player in the world. I wouldn't even take him at USG on a free..... he might as well have been a traffic cone last night.

well, they're trying to sell the game to the American public, I suppose, presumably with the future in mind. Being honest or realistic about their chances wouldn't lend itself to that.