Game over now, surely
6 or 7 extra minutes incoming.
And who cleared Croatia’s best chance in second half close to their own goal? Harry Kane!
If every game went like that, soccer would become the most popular sport in the US overnight.
England played well overall; they need to work on their passing in their end of the field and cut down on some sloppy play. But a big test passed.
The Croatian keeper was highly impressive. And Kane barely got a second chance on a lacklustre penalty kick. England clearly dominated the second half. Portugal? Not as much.
England’s bench is very deep. I do wish they would occasionally pick someone else to do some of the penalty kicks. And go for the long balls much more often with talent like Bellingham; they got into trouble when their defence futzed around in the midfield - Croatia can be dangerous shooting thirty yards out; and made the most of limited opportunities.
That’s what I’m thinking too. I don’t think Kane is any better, percentage-wise, at converting PKs than any other England striker.
His career conversion rate is 92%…compare that with 81% for Messi and 87% for Ronaldo.
Ah OK. I guess, though, maybe seeing how the Croatian keeper was able to stop his first PK today, if maybe using him so heavily as the PK shooter makes him too familiar and easy for opposing keepers to study.
What are the World Cup conversion rates?
Thanks for quoting the statistics. From my gut feeling, I always thought that Lewandowski was the best PK finisher ever, until Kane came to Bayern.
79% since 1978.
To put Harry Kane in perspective, the only penalty he missed in his last 25 tries in the Bundesliga was because an opposing player sneaked up and scuffed the pitch around the PK spot without Bayern noticing it. Which by the way, the Bayern players are supposed to be protecting that.
And everybody following the Bundesliga was shocked to see him miss, but after seeing the opposite player ruining the penalty spot in review, thought “Oh well, that’s why”.
Cuahtemo Blanco is the best penalty taker I’ve ever seen. When he was on Chicago he’d take a 20 yard run up and roof them. 97% career rate.
Wow, that’s really impressive! Didn’t have him on my radar.
He spent his entire career in Mexico with a stint in the US, definitely not a big name unless you’re a Mexican national team fan (or your team played them a lot).
Ghana v Panama game must not be too exciting. 0-0 at 80 minutes and not a single post here about it. Anyone watching?
I’ve been watching since halftime. Not the most riveting game I’ve watched this week.
Equally competitive. Not a lot of shots on goal.
And Ghana scores late in stoppage time! A beautiful end-to-end run with a great cross to set up the finish.
Neither team is great, and its raining. But the last fifteen minutes were enjoyable!