Rooney

Doesn't sound like there's been much trouble in this World Cup from the England fans to be fair. Probably down to the fact, real fans are out there or those with a criminal conviction who go to cause trouble can't get into the US! Don't think the political tensions are there at all, although suspect people will make a mountain out of a molehill this week and loads of faux outrage over any Argentina chants, without being able to see the hypocritical nature of it. Obviously the Faulkand Islands are still a major politically tense, but not sure it's that bad in the football space. Guess we'll see come Wednesday!

And in reality the “golden generation” should have done much better too. Outside of 2014, we’ve been consistent for a while and had lots of luck go against us. For everything that gets said against 2010, if that Lampard goal gets correctly given then I think it’s a different game. Semi final is above anything than what I was expecting. Let’s see what happens.

Strange isn't it. Think it just shows the dominance of UEFA and why I think its's likely it will get expanded to 64 teams. I guess as time has gone now and the increased fitness levels and sports science advancements, that where European teams may have suffered or been at a disadvantage, they are now back to a level playing field On a wider point, this must be the time where the new generation of footballers are really struggling to break through. Okay we have Haaland, Bellingham and Olise in the current generation alongside with Yamal, but it's interesting there's not really been a new player to really stamp their authority on the tournament.

Yeah it’s a stunt to stop the investigation and then he also says “oh look I have the mandate of the people”. Hope a seagull shits on him.

It's even more weird when in reality, Spain have been terrible to average in World Cups for about 40 years notwishstaning the 2010 World Cup when they bored everyone to death!

I’ll be honest, I can’t see Argentina beating France. Not sure I see much value in Argentina, I think Colombia will give them an incredibly difficult game if they get through vs Switzerland.

Argentina haven’t really played anyone good yet. They’re being horrendously overrated imo. Wouldn’t shock me at all if they didn’t even make the semis ala Brazil. What a performance. Genuinely cannot remember in my lifetime an England knockout result like that. Tuchel played a blinder in the second half with his tactical changes.

Tough watch! But that was an unbelieveable result. Probably the best result I can remember since I started following England in knockout games since I started following them. Can't believe anyone who missed that!

Just a different type of game. Pretty clear our wide players (outside of Saka) need space to run in to and we don't have the right players to move the ball about consistently. Going to be a slog 2nd half now.

Altitude is only in Mexico. Game delayed by an hour at least. Reckon the way to do this now unless you're in the pub is for a sleep before hand!

So are we thinking Farage rides all this out or is he toast now? Something must be off in the billionaire world for them to have turned the screws on Farage.

I'd say just run as normal but could say contains spoilers. I'd be shocked if anyone makes it through spoilers who has a phone for a game of this magnitude. Enjoying the altitude memes which are all over social media. Think the best way to play this game will be to sit in a mid to low block at least in the first half. Not sure Mexico will be able to do the same and I think that's likely going to be the best way to win. Could go horribly wrong, but I think if we start a mad press and dominating the game it's what Mexico want.

I think this might be the thing that begins to break the straw of the camels back though. Hope Belgium and the other FAs kick up a stink.

The ref was poor, but the Paraguyan players were poor too. I think this is just how they play and is classic South American tactics, but they were going in to tackles deliverately trying to injure players. Ultimately the ref lost control of the game and allowed Paraguay to turn in to ultimate shithouses.

Yet people have Argentina as second favourites 😉 Kane and Bellingham are the genuine 'superstars' we have in this England team who can produce at a consistent level and our team should be based around. Tuchel seems to have worked this out, but the issue is some of our supporting cast just don't have the consistent levels the top players have (see Rashford, Gordon) or are just a bit rubbish (see Spence, Madueke). Even though he's not really done much wrong in an England shirt, Pickford is definitely having a poor World Cup. The stats tell you playing Mexico at home in the altitude will be incredinly difficult. But on paper we're a much better side with better quality. I think the key will be playing the game and not the occassion. It will be tougher in the altitude, but I think a lot is being made out of it - it could be much worse and within 2 days the body should have mindly acclimiatised. Yes it will be harder and yes I have experienced altitude to 5000m above sea level and it is brutal if your body isn't prepared for it. If you buy in to it and use it as an excuse or a fear you already have defeatist behaviour. We will absolutely have to use all 5 substitues though.