Comment deleted by Site Moderator

great game

spain looked v good at times

they dont prevent the opposition making chances like they did between 2008-2012

de gea

should really have won that match

but a draw against their main rival in the group isn't a bad result

That was a stupid, unnecessary foul to give up at the end, and the penalty was totally avoidable too. Oh well.

comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 1 minute ago
That was a stupid, unnecessary foul to give up at the end, and the penalty was totally avoidable too. Oh well.
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i agree IOAG...but i fear this spain side for all their lovely football, have these errors in them

Poor from De Gea and the defenders giving away silly fouls on Ronaldo.

Portugal’s defence looked all over the place, which wasn’t just down to Spain’s good play.

Tonight's shouldn't really have been a 6-goal game. Need to beat Iran now. We ought to, but they'll play a similar game to Portugal and look to catch us on the break, a worry after seeing us give away so much on the back of so little.

Difference being Portugal have the quality to punish you. I’d be very surprised if Spain fail to beat Iran.

Spain will top the group. The game was classic

They run fast, which is about all it takes to cause us problems. After that, it's just down to a bit of luck.

Anyhow, we did well to come back twice from a goal down, so there's that.

Just peeved because Portugal looked dead on their feet and we lacked the ambition to kill it off, then they got that free kick gift and could even have snatched it at the end. Threw two points away.

comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 15 seconds ago
They run fast, which is about all it takes to cause us problems. After that, it's just down to a bit of luck.

Anyhow, we did well to come back twice from a goal down, so there's that.

Just peeved because Portugal looked dead on their feet and we lacked the ambition to kill it off, then they got that free kick gift and could even have snatched it at the end. Threw two points away.
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yeah spain looked so down after the 3-3...they nearly lost the facking match in the end

no way spain are winning the WC,,,just not good enough defensively as a team.

I thought Hierro took off Silva prematurely and should have kept Costa for a bit longer.

comment by Conte'nt = eism (U20893)
posted 18 seconds ago
I thought Hierro took off Silva prematurely and should have kept Costa for a bit longer.
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+1 i agree costa staying on longer

he was causing portugal all sorts of problems throughout the match

Costa is not easy on the eye, but he is very effective

ioag, yep fair points. Wouldn’t surprise me if Porugal fluke their way further than Spain. Such a lucky team.

anyway ...just take the good points from the match...try to tighten up defensively and not be so vulnerable on the counter...and on to the Iran match on Wednesday

comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 3 minutes ago
They run fast, which is about all it takes to cause us problems. After that, it's just down to a bit of luck.

Anyhow, we did well to come back twice from a goal down, so there's that.

Just peeved because Portugal looked dead on their feet and we lacked the ambition to kill it off, then they got that free kick gift and could even have snatched it at the end. Threw two points away.
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Why on earth did the team lose all the attacking ambition after the 75th minute? I could sense it will cause trouble

I dunno, Wump, it happens so often in football.

Especially when the team is leading. The losing team has to take the initiative and take the game to the opposition.

comment by Alexis The King Sanchez (U10026)
posted 8 hours, 52 minutes ago
Especially when the team is leading. The losing team has to take the initiative and take the game to the opposition.
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This phenomenon drives me crazy.

You see with United all too often or any dominant side playing against Palace or so and in the last ten mins, we are being pummelled into submission by smaller teams.

CR is an intelligent player. He bought the pen ( it was a pen though) and bought the free kick ( also a FK but Pique was sold) and ofc he did the rest.

Pepe-Costa was such a joy. It is a shame Costa and Ramos are in the same team

Oh and Portugal defence is terrible. One of the worst in the tournament. Bunch of wash-outs`;Pepe, Fonte, Cedric are a comedy of errors tbh.

If Iran breaks - and not try and cancel them out- they should score against this defence.

But ofc, Portugal are lucky sods.

Btw Spain conceded two goals to win the WC ( ultra-defensive style btw) but conceded three in their first game tonight?

They are not winning the WC, IMO.

Lawro’s commentating. Where’s Henrik?

Peks, ioag
This I swear isnt based on his mistakes yesterday. Do you think it is a bit suicidal playing De Gea in a team with such a high line when he looks terrified to come off his line? Not very comfortable about that and I'm sure he's a real source of anxiety for the backline when the ball is played behind the line

I've no idea, wump, I've not watched him that closely.

It's the one thing I used to say about Valdés and Casillas though. They both had their faults, but their speed off the line and ability 1-on-1 was ideal for our style of play.

Casillas won us the World Cup just as much as any outfield player did.

His mistake wasn’t anything to do with a highline, in fairness. It is a weakness of his but wasn’t one that was really exposed yesterday.

In fairness, wump didn't say it was either.

Though I would remark on that occasion in the second half where he mistimed a charge off the line and collided with Piqué. Spain were lucky the loose ball didn't fall more centrally to a Portugal player.

It was actually reminiscent of latter-day Casillas, when his confiidence was shot and he'd often come off the line at the wrong time.