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BuzzJack Music Forum _ Sports and Fitness _ Belgium v England
Posted by: Mack. Jun 25 2018, 11:06 AM
England's third game of the World Cup 2018 tournament is against Belgium
The game is live on ITV. Please use this thread for speculation, pre and post match chat on the England game.
How do you see this going for England?
Posted by: Doctor Blind Jun 25 2018, 12:39 PM
I expect Belgium to win, not that it really matters of course... 2-1 to Belgium I think. This will be the first true test for the England squad and a reality check for those who think we've already won the World Cup!
Posted by: Queef of Skreech Jun 25 2018, 12:49 PM
10-1 Belgium
Posted by: Doctor Blind Jun 25 2018, 12:51 PM
u ok hun?
Posted by: Suedehead2 Jun 25 2018, 03:42 PM
Belgium will win 25-23. There will be 47 own-goals and one which takes a deflection off Harry Kane, thereby improving his chances of winning the golden boot. England will have succeeded in their aim of finishing second.
Posted by: Steve201 Jun 25 2018, 07:00 PM
Hahah
Posted by: The Snake Jun 25 2018, 07:06 PM
3-0 to Belgium.
Posted by: Mack. Jun 25 2018, 09:57 PM
Yes they were 10-1 with some bookies at the start of the tournament to win the World Cup, Michael.
Posted by: Mack. Jun 26 2018, 11:58 AM
I'm going for a 2-1 Belgium win against England.
Posted by: Dobbo Jun 26 2018, 12:38 PM
How about a repeat of the 1954 classic?
Posted by: Steve201 Jun 26 2018, 09:04 PM
Not overly excited for the England Belgium game after the knockout excitement of the first two days this week!
Posted by: Rooney Jun 26 2018, 09:53 PM
I suspect both teams will make changes and play the game at a leisurely pace. Hard to tell really, but not going to read too much in to the result.
Posted by: Doctor Blind Jun 27 2018, 12:42 AM
Don't forget that the 'curse of ITV' may strike again too. 
https://www.thesun.co.uk/archives/news/933364/itv-curse-on-victory-slumps-to-just-1-in-5/
Posted by: Mack. Jun 27 2018, 08:37 AM
It could well do.
Apparently Belgium are set to make 10 changes for their final match, although that could be a load of rubbish.
Posted by: Mack. Jun 27 2018, 10:42 PM
Going for a 3-2 win to Belgium, I reckon.
Posted by: Mack. Jun 27 2018, 10:53 PM
No Lukaku for the game. Genuine injury, or rested?
Posted by: Rooney Jun 27 2018, 11:10 PM
One of those where he is injured I reckon, but could play. If the game really mattered I suspect he would play.
As for Belgium, I have no doubt they will make 10 changes - Martinez has done this before.
Posted by: Rooney Jun 27 2018, 11:22 PM
Actually wouldn't surprise me at all if Belgium threw the game to finish 2nd. This could be a really strange game, as whoever finishes 2nd has a really easy ride to the semi-finals. Whoever finishes 1st is likely to play meet Brazil in the quarters. Strange how this all pans out, Martinez has openly admitted they won't be aiming to win.
Posted by: Bré Jun 28 2018, 02:25 AM
I don't think either team will be trying particularly hard to win for that reason, this could easily just be a repeat of France vs. Denmark. (Although it's probably still more worth watching than Panama vs. Tunisia lmao).
Posted by: Dobbo Jun 28 2018, 10:20 AM
There is no easy ride to the Semis in this World Cup of shocks! I thought we had an easy ride to the Quarters in the last Euros & look how that panned out
Won't be watching tonight (not cos I don't want to I hasten to add) but I think it really will come down to number of bookings 
Posted by: Evil Houdini Jun 28 2018, 11:26 AM
I suspect if England finish 2nd in the group World Cup mania will hit it's peak in the country!
Edit: Probably not now
Posted by: Iz Jun 28 2018, 11:33 AM
I will be disappointed if England don't play to win. Same with Belgium. Sweden or Switzerland is not necessarily an easier matchup than Brazil based on the way they've been playing and whatever happens, both teams will have to go through Senegal/Colombia/Japan before they worry about that. Momentum is important if you want to win the cup.
All things considered, the fear factor with big names aside, the draw looks pretty equal on both sides, this runner-up route is easier thing is a myth and I won't be sad if a team that doesn't try to win tonight ends up losing to the winner of Group H.
Posted by: Queef of Skreech Jun 28 2018, 11:37 AM
Sweden SMASHED the UK team last time with EPIC goals which should never have gotten through. They embarrassed the UK team. They should AVOID Sweden at all costs and try for Brazil.
Posted by: Mack. Jun 28 2018, 11:45 AM
Yes, they beat England 4-2 in 2012 in a friendly.
Posted by: Evil Houdini Jun 28 2018, 12:07 PM
That was the game where Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored one of the best goals of all time with a overhead kick from way outside of the penalty area.
Posted by: Mack. Jun 28 2018, 04:18 PM
So according to Keown, there will be 8 changes to the side for England.
Posted by: The Snake Jun 28 2018, 04:43 PM
Are they going more defensive I wonder? Worth remembering that a 0-0 draw with no England yellow cards would put England on top of the group.
Should be an interesting match anyway, trying to avoid playing Colombia in the last 16 will mean topping the group means more to Belgium and England.
Posted by: ElectroBoy Jun 28 2018, 06:18 PM
Bit dull so far
Posted by: Mack. Jun 28 2018, 06:18 PM
It hasn't been great so far.
Posted by: Mack. Jun 28 2018, 06:45 PM
It really hasn't been great so far. Gold medals around to everyone who watched the whole of the first half.
Posted by: Bré Jun 28 2018, 06:50 PM
I'm right so far
(although Panama vs. Tunisia has at least had a goal, and it might be a first ever win for Panama, which is nice for them)
Posted by: Iz Jun 28 2018, 06:59 PM
Do I root for England or...?
At least what I missed doesn't seem to have been important .
Posted by: Brett-Butler Jun 28 2018, 07:04 PM
At least what I missed doesn't seem to have been important .
You root for England to be incredibly kind and polite for the next 45 minutes without letting any goals in - if England get 4 more yellow cards over Belgium they finish 2nd on cards, I believe Japan, who they'd play as things stand, would be a better option than Columbia.
(Although then we'd have the issue as to who to root for in THAT match).
Posted by: Mack. Jun 28 2018, 07:09 PM
Janzuaj scores for Belgium.
Posted by: Bré Jun 28 2018, 07:09 PM
Well then! 'Easier' run to the semi-finals it is??
(we're so gonna lose to Colombia anyway)
Posted by: Mack. Jun 28 2018, 07:09 PM
Now then what have England got?
Posted by: Iz Jun 28 2018, 07:10 PM
I have never been happier to see England losing.
See I think if we went against Japan we'd underestimate them at a point where the Japanese coach has (luckily) pulled off resting much of his first team, I think we'd have to take Colombia seriously either way.
May just be me wanting both my fave teams to make the QFs but I'm okay with this result.
Posted by: Mack. Jun 28 2018, 07:15 PM
Colombia would need to be respected, Falcao could gain revenge from his time in the Premier League. Shame that Rodriguez looks to be out.
Posted by: Seinfeld Jun 28 2018, 07:20 PM
The UK team?
This is football, not f***ing tennis!
Posted by: Mack. Jun 28 2018, 07:23 PM
Should have done better there Rashford.
Posted by: Mack. Jun 28 2018, 07:27 PM
England's B team is.... What for you?
Posted by: Jade Jun 28 2018, 07:29 PM
What a boring game today, this has been the only moment worth watching thus far: https://twitter.com/morganjeffery/status/1012416577445253122
Posted by: Mart!n Jun 28 2018, 07:31 PM
Rashford missed a golden opportunity.
Maybe England can score in the last dying 5 minutes again
Posted by: Brett-Butler Jun 28 2018, 07:31 PM
Interestingly, if England do play Columbia in the last 16, then they'll have played 2 of the 3 countries that were in their Group from France 98, alongside Tunisia. No Romania though.
Posted by: Mack. Jun 28 2018, 07:39 PM
That was funny.
Posted by: Mack. Jun 28 2018, 07:43 PM
https://www.thesun.co.uk/archives/news/933364/itv-curse-on-victory-slumps-to-just-1-in-5/
Set to strike again it looks like.
Posted by: Mart!n Jun 28 2018, 07:43 PM
That made my day
Posted by: Seinfeld Jun 28 2018, 07:44 PM
Shite.
Posted by: Doctor Blind Jun 28 2018, 07:50 PM
Yes Mack, the 'Curse of ITV strikes' again. Really quite mediocre from England and disappointed by Rashford - he definitely should have scored.
Posted by: Mack. Jun 28 2018, 07:52 PM
Damp squib that was.
Posted by: Evil Houdini Jun 28 2018, 07:53 PM
I think England's fate was sealed the moment that Colombia won Group H earlier today. The commentators are talking as if they're gonna get a bye pass to the Quarter final to play Sweden or Switzerland. England will do well to get past Colombia in my opinion, the World Cup is probably going to be over for England next Tuesday!
Posted by: Iz Jun 28 2018, 07:56 PM
Could have gone worse. At least the team on tonight was trying and managed to pressure Belgium a fair amount of times after the goal, and I doubt Southgate will have many players from that team starting against Colombia either way.
We mustn't underestimate Colombia at all, I think it has a perfect chance to be an even match.
Posted by: Bré Jun 28 2018, 07:58 PM
100% expecting us to lose to Colombia ngl. And it all started so well
Posted by: Jade Jun 28 2018, 07:58 PM
Damn at the Colombia match being on ITV
Posted by: Chez Wombat Jun 28 2018, 08:05 PM
I mean we weren't trying that hard, but then neither were Belgium and they still won soooo, a drop back to reality but not a true hope stopper and hopefully one that will just kick us back in gear.
Colombia is definitely a lot scarier than Japan would've been, they've been a bit erratic so far but if they're on form, they could be a big threat. I can't at people already thinking about the easiest path to the Semis, we all know what happens when we look ahead too much
Posted by: Doctor Blind Jun 28 2018, 08:07 PM
Oh, well that's that then.
Posted by: PeteFromLeeds Jun 28 2018, 08:10 PM
bye bye England. Enjoy being thrashed 4-0 by Colombia.
Posted by: The Snake Jun 28 2018, 08:15 PM
Why did England change so many players anyway? 
Yep I can only see England vs Colombia going one way. England will make a good fight of it, but Colombia are a superior team on the attack.
Posted by: Botchia 💡 Jun 28 2018, 08:18 PM
Yep ITV get first pick of Round 16, BBC first pick of QF and then ITV of the SF.
Pretty boring match but was to be expected when all of our worst players were on really. If we wanted to win, we would have. We certainly stand a better chance in this side of the draw for the knockouts but whether that gamble pays off, we'll find out...
I mean we've never lost against Colombia and with our rested A-team back in play surely we can't mess this up?!
Famous last words, oops jinxed it etc.
Posted by: The Snake Jun 28 2018, 08:40 PM
But why would England deliberately play not play its best players to deliberately come second in the group to play Colombia who most people agree are considerably better than Japan, a Japan that played poorly today, losing to an already relegated side. It doesn't really make sense
Posted by: Botchia 💡 Jun 28 2018, 08:51 PM
Because there is an easier route to the final on this side of the draw. Most of the better teams are on the other side! Look at the draw, there's some huge matches for the Round 16 on that side compared to England's side!
The tactic has presumably been rest all of our key players to sure up our chances against Columbia and Sweden / Switzerland if we get through that. On paper we stand a better chance with a rested team against them than the likely Brazil match up on the other side.
Posted by: Evil Houdini Jun 28 2018, 08:56 PM
They assumed that Japan would win Group H because they were top before today's matches took place which would have meant that England would play Japan. The whole World will laugh at England next week if they get knocked out, it's gonna be even worse than when they lost to Iceland at Euro 2016.
Posted by: Rooney Jun 28 2018, 09:30 PM
You can try and work it out, on paper finishing 2nd is an easier path to the semi-finals compared to finishing 1st BUT it also presents a harder opponent in the last 16. The reality is getting to the quarter finals would be a fantastic achievement as it is.
Anyway about the game, it was a game of little significance felt in terms of atmosphere and the team. Anyway for me the game just highlighted why Sterling is better than Rashford. I can't think of a more overrated player in an England shirt, he just lacks a brain. Even more gobsmacked he got MOTM despite missing two one on ones. Think the game also showed how important Henderson is to England too.
Posted by: Mart!n Jun 28 2018, 09:51 PM
Pretty much agree with Rooney, better than playing Brazil in the quarters, if they get there. Coming second is the easiest route, I think we could beat Colombia , my famous last words
Anyhow we did play crap, it felt like that was the easiest option for Gareth Southgate, and resting the key players for the Colombia match.
Posted by: Steve201 Jun 28 2018, 10:37 PM
Columbia England will be a great game
Imo!
Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn Jun 28 2018, 11:00 PM
I get £50 in the work sweepstake if Colombia win, so I have a vested interest in that happening.
Posted by: Suedehead2 Jun 28 2018, 11:34 PM
England and Belgium both followed the same logic. Any players on the pitch are at risk of getting injured or being booked or sent off. Therefore, the best way of making sure your best players are not injured or banned is to keep them off the pitch.
Posted by: LeeWallace Jun 29 2018, 01:06 AM
I’ll be surprised if England knock out Columbia!
Posted by: Queef of Skreech Jun 29 2018, 01:12 AM
England's done.
Oops.
It will be a Colombia v Mexico final
Posted by: Dobbo Jun 29 2018, 03:12 AM
Sheer arrogance from England really assuming we'll beat Colombia then either of Serbia or Switzerland. Reality is we can only beat the fodder & bottled our chance to send out a statement last night!
Posted by: RabbitFurCoat Jun 29 2018, 05:06 PM
To me, the easy route is a load of old shite. The only easy game we could've got ourselves was Japan, who are easily the worst team in the last 16 and are there because of a red card/pen in the 3rd minute. All to avoid the mighty Brazil, instead of a QF with them we'd instead play the team that deservedly drew 1-1 with Brazil, or the one which finished above Holland in qualifying, beat Italy in the play-off, shouldn't have lost to Germany and beat Mexico 3-0. Easy.
I feel Southgate has made a huge error last night, he's certainly increased the pressure on him. Going for the easy route to the semi, well anything less than that is a failure now.
Posted by: Doctor Blind Jun 29 2018, 06:26 PM
I feel Southgate has made a huge error last night, he's certainly increased the pressure on him. Going for the easy route to the semi, well anything less than that is a failure now.
Yes, and pressure on the England team doesn't usually translate to success. Tuesday night's game is going to be a really interesting - I can see an upset on the cards definitely, and let's face it Colombia are still a very strong team! Not to be underestimated at all.
Posted by: Steve201 Jun 29 2018, 09:34 PM
By upset do you mean Columbia will win!?
Posted by: The Snake Jun 29 2018, 09:36 PM
Personally I think an 'upset' would be England winning! England are the underdogs against Colombia I think.
Posted by: Steve201 Jun 29 2018, 09:48 PM
That's what I was thinking. They've won 6 of their last 8 World Cup games and were semi finalist in 2014!
Posted by: Red Blooded Man Jun 30 2018, 02:47 AM
Semi finalist?
Neither Colombia and England were the semi-finalists in 2014 World Cup.
Posted by: Mack. Jun 30 2018, 08:09 AM
Colombia reached the quarterfinals of the last World Cup where they lost to Brazil.
Posted by: Steve201 Jun 30 2018, 08:38 AM
Sorry meant Q-F!
Posted by: Crazy Chris Jun 30 2018, 08:50 AM
I think now, looking at both sides of the draw, that it'll be a Brazil - England final. They can't meet before then. England will easily turn over Colombia and then their next opponents as Sweden and Swizerland are weak.
Posted by: Queef of Skreech Jun 30 2018, 10:05 AM
Stop reading the sun
England are coming home next week
Posted by: Steve201 Jul 1 2018, 02:23 AM
Not sure they'll 'easily' beat Columbia but hey we shall see!
Posted by: Bré Jul 11 2018, 11:18 PM
Can we just reuse this thread for the third place playoff?
England and Belgium getting to play each other twice, and in arguably the two most pointless matches of the entire tournament. The result of this group stage match seems like it really was totally irrelevant as both teams progressed to the exact same stage anyway. Of course we'll never know how it'd have panned out if we ended up on the other side of the draw - probably worse for us - but still!
I hope we do actually play to win this match though, so it'd still be our best performance outside of home soil in WC history, and so that we can end on something of a high.
Posted by: Dobbo Jul 11 2018, 11:26 PM
Yeah it's rare enough for 2 teams to meet each other twice at all but especially considering both were dead rubbers! Do hope we win this one though, it's like being kicked when you're down to lose this match after the Semi.
Posted by: Evil Houdini Jul 11 2018, 11:39 PM
I think if England had won their group they wouldn't have got past Brazil in the Quarter Finals. It would be nice for England to have something tangible to take back home on the plane with them but I have a strong feeling that this will just be a replica of Italia 90 and they will finish 4th.
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