A Huge Test for England
posted by The Blue Devil @ 9:46 AM
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Saturday, December 10, 2022
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Contributors
Previous Posts
- The Quarter-finals Begin!
- Lancer Cup Round of Sixteen Update
- James Corden on Hot Ones
- Rounding Off the Round of 16
- The Round of 16 Continues
- The Big Day!
- Just To Start the Day on the Right Foot
- The Knock-Out Rounds Begin!
- World Cup 2022 Update End of Group Stage
- Qatar 2022 - Day 13 - Hopefully Not Unlucky
224 Comments:
Good Morning, Bob. Thanks for getting us started. Here for the two quarters. My prediction is whichever teams from England's bracket makes it to the final will win it all.
Prior to the tournament Elizabeth picked Argentina to win it all.
I'll be a bit in and out of this morning's match, dealing with some holiday preparations.
Morning, David - great to have you on board.
The teams for this morning's match:
Morocco: Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, , Jawad Yamiq, Romain Saiss, Yahya Attiat-Allah, Sofyan Amrabat, Selim Amallah, Azzedine Ounahi, Hakim Ziyech, Soufiane Boufal, Youssef En-Nesyri.
Portugal: Diogo Costa, Diogo Dalot, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Raphael Guerreiro, Bruno Fernandes, Otavio, Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix, Goncalo Ramos, Ruben Neves
You know that Derek Rae has been up half the night practicing his Arabic and Portuguese pronunciation.
Portugal vs Morocco is underway
COME ON MOROCCO.
Thanks Bob. Glad to be here
I can return for the late match if that is better
We're underway - all eyes will be on Goncalo Ramos who bagged a hat-trick in the last round.
Whatever works for you, mate. I just wanted to let you know that I might not be consistently here for this one, just commenting occasionally.
I appreciate that. They said Ramos was the first top score a hat-trick in a knockout round match since 1990. I think that was a Czech player against the Ticos in the round of sixteen
Oh - free header from the corner for the big Moroccan. Both sides have had good looks so far.
Just a reminder that the only goal Morocco has conceded was that fluke OG vs Canada.
I think that Elizabeth might be onto something. I expect them to make the final now.
My teaching buddy that was born in Jordan is proud of Morocco for becoming the first Arab country to make the quarters despite not having scored in knockout match other than the shootout. Is wondering if the Spanish ref was sent home and why South American players act more like gangsters than footballers , who seem more concerned about their tattoos. Does that sound like something we've discussed?
I think Argies vs Croatia is a tossup. Croatia is like the German sides of the 80s where they seem to find a way to win even if their performance is horrible. Argentina 1990 and Germany 2002 also falls into that category
It is a huge accomplishment - they would be the first African country to make the semi-finals if they get beyond Portugal today.
Okay, I'm off for a bit to do some clean up while Kate is feeding Maddox his rice cereal.
Morocco the fourth African team to make the quarters after Cameroon 1990, Senegal 2002, and Ghana 2010
Cheers, mate. Enjoy. I remember those days well.
Correct . Morocco would be the first which would be a massive accomplishment
I think a stat was flashed across the screen in error. It said Portugal's win vs Swiss cheese was the largest margin of victory in a knockout match since 1938 and the first team to score half a dozen in a knockout match since 1954. Not true . They forgot the 2014 semi
WOW! SEVILLA'S EN NESRI GIVES MORCCO THE LEAD , OUT JUMPING THE KEEPER ON A CROSS. SCORES WITH A HEADER
GOAL! Would you believe it! I'm just back from doing some laundry to see Morocco open the scoring!
Morocco 1-0 up as we head into the interval.
Fox should hire you to be their in-house stats guy, David. A bit like Steve Kornacki on MSNBC.
OH! Cross from Bruno comes off the bar. Don't think he meant that
LOL,Bob! They can hire me if they pay me what I'm worth
Into an LOB blogging duo of stoppage time minutes
Back to the goal. First sustained spell of possession for Morocco as it started with a short free kick from Hakimi near his corner flag. It culminated in a cross from left back, Yahiah Allah and En Nesri out jumped the keeper to score with a header. At first I thought it was a foul, but the replay showed it was poor keeping
Now Portugal doing what Argentina and Holland were. Surrounding the ref because things weren't going their way. Morocco one up at the half. Hope they don't intimidate their way to victory
It was a light tap of the heels on Bruno, but he went down too easily. The two Dave's have seen him do this at United. Since Uruguay weren't punished for their post match fiasco other teams have realized they can get away with this
Morocco one-nil up at the half. All to play now in the second half. I predict this one will go to extra time as well.
Second half underway
You get a point for Argentina vs Netherlands , but not if this one does, LOL!
I need that point, mate - I'm in the bottom half again!
The question of this half is - will Morocco be able to hold on to this lead?
Oh - and will Ronaldo get on the pitch?
Diogo Costa nearly costs his side a second goal as he messes up another cross. Fortunately for Portugal his flap off a Ziyech free kick went off a Morocco player for a goal kick
Welcome back, mate. Not sure on the first question and probably yes for the second on e. He came off the bench against Swiss Cheese
Well, that answers my second question - Ronny is on!
CR 7 on for his world record tying 196th cap.FOX never said who came off.
It was a double change. Cancelo for Rapaha Gueerero and CR 7 for the ineffective Ruben Neves, who had a poor match
Talking about Wolves. Their former defender is Pre Saissly injured. Not good news for Morocco
He's stretchered off and replaced by Dari , who plays in France for Brest.
Cross from Otavio headed wide by Ramos, who scored a hat-trick against Swiss Cheese
Wolves center back Saiss is stretchered off. That's a big loss for them.
I don't really fear either of these sides for England's sake. If Gareth and co. can just get through today's match some way, England have a real chance to make the final for the first time in 55 years.
Agreed 100%, mate, but they key word is if. I predict that the winner of the late match will win it all, but then this has been tournament of surprises.
Amallah for scorer, En Nesri and Chedirra for Benoun as Morocco make a double change
The wonder boy Ramos gets the hook - he's been disappointing tonight.
Ramos and Otavio replaced by Rapha Leao and Vitinha. No hat-trick today
Agreed, but he really didn't get any service.
Subs clash as Dari booked for a foul on Rapoha Leao near the Morocco corner flag
Weekend at Bernie's has been nearly invisible this Weekend. I didn't even know he was playing
It's crunch time for the Portugeezers. Twenty minutes left.
Dilly Dalot replaced by Ricky Horta
Ziyech and Boufoul off for Jabrane and Aboubakhal
OH! Sonny Buono does well tip over a curler from Joe Felix headed into the upper 90
Stupid foul on Joe Felix about thirty yards from goal
Vtinha booked for a really nasty challenge. I've seen red given for those
Stoppage time will be a huge factor here, as it was in last night's Dutch comeback.
I'm all for eliminating time wasting, but the amount of stoppage time awarded this WC has been absurd
Eight stoppage time minutes to come - that could be crucial.
Oh - Ronaldo onto a long ball and pulls a good save out of the Moroccan keeper.
Eight is enough stoppage time minutes.Of course they're trying to help the European times. This is making me not want to watch anymore.
Chedirra sent off for a second booking. That was the right call. What was he thinking as he had just been booked?
Two quick bookings for the sub Cheddira - and he's off for an early bath!
Oh - a breakaway and this could it!
No - saved by Costa.
OH! The ten men with a missed sitter win the break. Shot right at the keeper one on one
Still time for one more chance for Portugal.
OH! Old man Pepe wide with a free header from two yards out
WOW! It's over and Morocco become the first African side to make the semis as they upset Portugal 1-0. They face the winner of England vs France
Amazing accomplishment for Morocco. I still don't fear them.
Ronaldo in tears in the tunnel at the end of this one. It's his last World Cup match - a sad ending to an incredible career.
I'm back for what should be a titanic match between England and France. Come on, you Three Lions!
England name the same XI that started the 3-0 win over Senegal. Jordan Pickford wins his 50th cap. Raheem Sterling is back on the bench, having briefly returned to England following a burglary at his home.
Defending champions France also name an unchanged side after easing past Poland 3-1. Goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris wins his 143rd cap, breaking France’s all-time record for appearances. He previously (and briefly) shared the record with Lilian Thuram (142).
Back from walkies for the big match
Welcome back, mate. The twins have been fed and settled, so I'm all eyes on this one. Come on!
England vd France is underway.
COME ON ENGLAND!
Well, we've already got a flat ball within a few seconds. Not an auspicious start.
Glad you will be able to enjoy the match, unless England prevents you, LOL!
First chance for Mbappe to go at Walker - right by him. Not good.
Oh - nice tackle by Saka and run at the French defense.
And now Foden has a shot blocked out.
Lovely - England win a free kick out wide left. Time to bring the big boys up!
Someone was caught offside there.
England cannot sit back like they did in the last WC semi vs Croatia and like they did vs Italy in the final of Euro 2020
Danger there for England as Mbappe tried to find Olly.
I totally agree - and if England do take the lead, they can't try to rest on that unless it's in the 90th minute.
I think these teams last met in the WC in 1982 when England score what was then the earliest WC goal off a long throw. I remember watching that match
Absolutely. Spot on , Bob
Nice tackle by Bellingham. Out for a corner, though.
Bellingham tackles Grease Man for a France corner. HEY JUDE!
Corner from Grease Man headed away by Harry Kane at the near post
Oh - Giroud gets his head to the cross from Dembele. Straight at Pickers.
Olly stoops to head straight to Pickford off a cross from Dembele
England defeated France in the group in 1966 when they won it all and in 1982. Lost it late in the Euros in 2004 , also in the group. any other meetings or would I say rendez- Vous?
Griezmann and Dembele are beginning to cause England some serious problems down the right.
I remember that match in 2004. I was in France for the one in 2004. Ugh.
I can't remember any other big ones.
Poor ball there allows Rabiot to run at the England defense. Knock that right off.
Didn't you watch the match in 1982? Bryan Robson scored off a long throw off what was then the quickest ever WC goal. You must have watched that match. I did
GOAL ! TCHOUEMENI GIVES FRANCE THE LEAD. SPOECTACULAR LONG RANGE FIN ISH
Bugger! Great shot from Tchouameni evades Pickers and France are 0-1 up. Grrr!
Now then - England have a free kick chance. Come on!
Not happy, but how can you stop that goal. Great tackle on Saka, great passing , spectacular finish. This is the stuff champions are made of
Luke Shaw over this one. Come on!
Just outside the France box. That free kick Shaw went straight to Lloris.
Nice free kick routine - Luke Shaw blasts at Lloris who collects.
SO if England wins there is guaranteed to be a Chelsea player in the final. If France wins there is guaranteed to be a PSG player in the final. If Croatia makes it to the final it will be thirst time any SPL player in the final
France scoring early might actually work to England's advantage. If I'm right, Deschamps will ask them to drop deep and defend the narrow lead.
OH! Great close range block by Lloris from his Spuds teammate, Harry Kane
Oh - HK was in there one-on-one with Lloris but it's saved well.
Mais Non. Je ne sais pas, mon ami. I don't think France will drop back despite leading
COME ON ! HOW WAS HARRY KANE NOT ABEL TO BE AWARDED A PENALTY?
Definite foul by Upemecano. May have been inches outside the box. VAR checking. What's taking so long?
Oh - that should be a penalty. VAR check now. Come on!
WTF! How did VAR say it wasn't a penalty? England jipped.
If England wins then in the words of Crosby, Stills, and Nash they will be riding the Marakesh Express. Is that right mate?
Oh - great save again by Lloris from Kane!
OH! In the Spuds battle , Lloris does well to turn around a shot from Harry Kane
Oh - mad scramble there in the French. England really knocking on the door now.
And now that should be a corner.
Referee, my goodness - Saka is upended and it's play on.
I thought it was a foul from first glance.,
Mbappe’s been very quiet. All the pre-match hype was about him.
Hendo upends Mbappe and France have a free kick.
He did play a bog part in the goal , but otherwise yes very quiet. Credit toEngland for that
Well over by Mbappe. Did he think he was playing ion the Six Nations Rugby Tournament?
First real chance from a clever free kick. Blasts it over.
So it's Mbappe vs Harry Kane. Leading scorer bus leading assister in the tournament
Griezmann takes a nibble at Walker and picks up a yellow.
Grease Man booked after fouling Kyle walker. Stu Holden says it was due to accumulation
Not a single booking for England this entire tournament? WOW! No suspensions for the semis unless someone is sent off
Four minutes of stoppage time to come.
A Barber Shop Quartet of stoppage time minutes for Bob's shaved head
England win a corner off Kunde. Come on!
Kounde Shaw did head out a long ball for an England corner
Theo Hernandez down injured. He's the replacement for his injured brother, Luke
I need the full four minute plus for my shaved head.
And there's the half-time whistle. England have had the chances and should be winning this one.
France one up at the half. The winner of this match will probably win it all.
There second half is underway.
Come on, England!
Oh - good first attack from England.
Dembele booked for nasty foul;. ! Hey Jude! You could have been sent off!
Oh - Bellingham with a rocket - tipped over by Lloris!
HEY JUDE! Lloris does well top turn o ver a long range pile driver from Bellingham
Lloris, sadly, has had an excellent match
Stupid foul by Hendo on Mbappe. why did he do that?
Hendo penalized for a foul on Mbappe.
It's been a closer shave for France than Bob's shaven head.
Rabiot blocks a long range shot from Hendo
Oh - Saka was in there. Couldn't find a man.
YESSSSS!!!!!!
Saka wins a penalty! Cue HK!
PENALTY ENGLAND SAKA TRIPPED! TCHOUEMENI TRIPPED HIM
Will Harry Kane and Abel to tie it up? I sure hope so. Spud vs Spud.
WAY HAY! 1-1. HARRY KANE AND ABEL TO TIE IT UP, SENDING FELLOW SPUd, LLORIS, THE WRONG WAY
Yes! Pick that one out!
OH! France almost immediately retook the lead. Pickford did well to turn around along range shot from Rabiot
Thankfully for England. Dembele miss controlled as Mbappe beat Kyle Walker for pace down the left then set up Dembele superbly
First chance for Mbappe to burn Walker for pace. Fortunately, he can't pick anyone out.
This has been about the most even match of the knockout stages and perhaps the tournament
Comfortable save by Lloris from Saka and not the North London Derby
Oh - Saka wriggled through and pulled a great save out of LLoris.
Comfortable save by Lloris from Harry Kane
Griezmann fouls again - should be a second yellow.
England players want the Grease Man sent off for a second yellow. I think that would be harsh
Hope was that not a foul on Saka, but the same thing called against England?
The England players are feeling increasingly frustrated with this ref. They'll have to keep their heads.
Neither coach is yet to blink. No sign of much movement on the benches. This game really is poised rather entertainingly.
A question, mate. I think the winner of this match wins the WC. Elizabeth thinks Argentina. What do you think?
Free kick from Hendo headed inches wide by Maguire
I agree with you, mate. The Argies aren't that good.
So close from Maguire - I thought that was in.
Oh - Saka nearly in there. Fernandez just got to it.
I agree , Bob. This is like two heavyweights trading punches . In some ways the best match of the tournament for being so even
I agree, but for some reason Elizabeth has this idea the Argies are team to beat. Poor form from Elizabeth?
Another close call on a penalty there.
Gareth warming up some players now. He'll have to be careful to leave on the best penalty takers. I think that Tite made strategic error taking off the likes of Raphinha who take great penalties.
Definitely poor form.
I I sent you all a text. Is Trooper rooting for England, France, or poor form for having his back turned?
Oh - huge save by Pickers from Giroud. Point blank.
OH! Spectacular save by Pickford off a volley from Olly. That's my Pickford pick.
Surely Trooper is an England fan, no?
BUGGER ! OLLY HEADS FRANCE INTO A 2-1 LEAD
Oh balls - France turn up the pressure and Olly Giroud heads home. 1-2.
Off the ensuing corner it was headed out then Theo Hernandez players it wide left to there Grease Man and his cross was headed in by Olly.
Definitely, mate. The Bulldog Mastiff is an England fan
Mount and Sterling on and Saka and Hendo off. Good moves?
Oh my - why is that not a penalty!!!!
That must be a penalty! VAR checking.
Surely that should be an England penalty. Cynical by Theo Hernandez. What's taking VAR so long?
Ref going to the monitor . Definitely an illegal Mount
WAY HAY! PENALTY ENGLAND! WILL HARRY KANE AN ABEL TO MAKE IT DESMOND AGAINST HIS FELLOW SPUD? Theo Hernandez booked. The right decision
Hernandez picks up a yellow as well.
Not sure why Theo Hernandez is arguing. He doesn't have a case?
Stu Holden says keepers research penalties. He faces Harry Kane in training every day. What research?
BLOODY HELL!OF all times to be Johnny Bloody Wilkinson! Nearly cleared Qatar
Oh no! HK, usually so deadly from the spot skies it.
Rash on for Foden
Rash on now - come on, Marcus - we need you.
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