Big Willie penalty call was correct. Save was incredible. Didn't think Spain were that much better than England, if England had any sort of striker they'd have scored a couple more. Spanish kept the ball well and their long passes connected a lot more often than Englands but they'd no guile in the final 3rd. England carved them open a few times but just lacked a finisher.

The lack of a good CF could be a real issue for England in a couple of years as Kane ages out.

      Qwiss because Carsley didn't even play a striker. They have one pretty decent one in Archer but was always used as a super sub

          Happy for ESR, he needed some football.

          Having said that, I've never managed to be interested in the u21 tournaments because the best eligible players have moved on to the main national team (Saka and Bellingham for England - Gavi, Fati, Pino, Balde, Pedri and Nico Williams for Spain).

          We never get to find out which country actually has the best u21 players.

          Clrnc I've never seen Archer so I don't know how good he is but Carsley not playing a striker is part of my point, they missed one. He obviously didn't feel he had one of the required standard.

            Turner is absolutely awesome at pens. Have to sub him in the next time we have a shootout

            6 days later

            Women's World Cup starts tonight in NZ/Aus. Who is interested?

            In a good advert for NZ there's been a shooting in Auckland this morning on the day of the first game in the same city. The kind of thing (obviously other than the mass Mosque shooting) that just doesn't happen here.

            Bit gutted England ended up in a group playing in Australia and all their potential knockout games will be too. Was really hoping to be able to see them as been following them for the last few tournaments and also follow the Arsenal women so know all the players etc. But still going to a couple of Wellington games - USA vs Netherlands next week which could be a good one (repeat of 2019 final) and a quarter final which on paper could potentially be USA vs Norway. Any of you Aussies going to some games?

            Yeah mate I'm keen for the tourney and will be going to the England v Haiti game on Saturday and Aus v Nigeria on Thursday in Brisbane. My daughter has flown over from NZ for it and is going to a bunch of other games including the opener in Sydney tonight. Should be a good few weeks of football to enjoy.

            Kinda excited about this. NZ will struggle but hope they get out of Group stages at least. Fancy aus and ger to get to the semis at least

            Clrnc Feel like he's gonna be putting these in the top corner in ten years somewhere, it's still so effortless for him.

              He looks really happy to be there, could have got more money in Saudi but I think after his last couple of years at PSG probably just wants to enjoy his football.

                JazzG He looks really happy to be there, could have got more money in Saudi but I think after his last couple of years at PSG probably just wants to enjoy his football.

                He'll probably make just as much money, if not more, through the commercial side of things whilst in America.

                  The real winner is Beckham - ever since he moved LA Galaxy he was low key mocked for turning his back on European football. Even when he exercised the option to buy Inter Miami, it seemed like he was just making up numbers by becoming the worst team in the league but he's properly hitched himself to the MLS bandwagon and drove things forward considerably. Messi stands to make a lot from the commercial side over the next two years but he'll have to be an exceptional operator to match Beckham's decisions.

                  Messi scoring 2 more inside 25 mins on his first start. Best retirement ever

                    Mirth Putting on a show, getting paid and having VIP American celebrities come see you every match. I can imagine this is exactly how C.Ronaldo wanted to end his career!

                    Busquets looking great as well, guy probably never had so much space to play with in his life lol.

                      This wonderkid Brighton plucked from Nordaseland looks ridiculously good