Most other nations are happy when they win. With English fans I am afraid that they still want to beat me up after winning.
England fans sound like the Philadelphia Eagles fans of international soccer.
I’ve never heard of English fans rioting after winning. But I can imagine a bit of trouble after a loss or getting very drunk and throwing some chairs around and generally being embarrassing to the rest of the nation before a game.
The dark days of English fans being hooligans is in the past but not doubt there are still a few idiots. I really dislike the booing of the opposition national anthem by some sections. It’s a game with a broad appeal so you get all types and the idiots are always the loudest.
Again, Spain need a big striker to crash into box and break down a bunker. They were tied in extra time and they don’t even have anyone in the box! Just 40 passes around the outside.
Amazing how poor those penalties were after their last shootout.
I haven’t watched Italy in years, and still had my opinion that they weren’t much. Watching this game, they’re legitimately good.
I’ve been following big tournaments for over 40 years, and this is the most attractive Italian team I’ve ever seen.
They’re certainly not playing like they have Luca Toni or Christian Vieri up top. Outside Totti they only really had poachers and big bodies as attackers for the past 30 years.
And they are not parking the bus after leading 1-0 like they always did.
And here’s the 2-0!
That was a hell of a strike. But put some pressure on him, jeez. Pathetic defending.
This penalty is much too easily given.
ETA: But it raises the excitement for the second half.
It’s from behind. That’s a pk IMO. If they’re 3 inches different and level, I think it’s fine.
I concede there was contact, but the decision was on the edge. Some refs call this, some don’t. After this one called it, the VRA ref couldn’t overturn it because it was no clear wrong call.
Just saw the goal, if I were a Belgian fan I would certainly be angry at that defense.
Also Roberto Baggio, though that’s been almost 30 years.
I definitely was thinking of him an 80s player and only the tail end of his career within 30 years. Checking his wiki, he played until 2004!?
True, but that extended arm gave the ref no choice, since Baku would have been past him. If elbow was half way up, I think it would have been play on. Bad foul considering the situation.
I wouldn’t have thought that, I mostly remember Baggio for his missed penalty in the 1994 WC final.
Agreed, it was bad and naive defending.
Their Cattenaccio ancestors are rolling in their graves.
Holy shit, this game is great.