Haven't been able to watch any of the Copa America, so not really in a position to make predictions, but I'm hoping Colombia can maintain their form to claim what would be only their second title.

Not got a good feeling about the France game. To be honest, I didn't really have that much faith in Spain coming into the tournament, so it's been great to see them make it this far whilst playing some of the most appealing football of all 24 teams.

France's and England's safety-first approaches might have been dull to watch, but they both have a selection of players capable of making the difference when it matters. I'm going 3-1 France and 2-0 England.



Couple of typos in there, by the way, DJ. Spain beat Italy and Croatia, and Ecuador grabbed a 92nd minute equaliser. Thanks for the summaries though.

Just put them in to check you are reading...

Read James Rodriguez is playing as if it is 2014 again.

Canada in the semi's? Wow! Hopefully Drake stays away from them after getting his bum kicked by Kendrick.

Think Rodriguez is on 4 or 5 assists for the tournament, albeit a some of those might have been set piece deliveries.

5 assists and that goal so far for Ham-ez.

comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 8 minutes ago
Just put them in to check you are reading...
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Good man. I actually made it all the way to Ferercio Valverde and Mathius Olivera...

Looking forward to seeing Hernández v Yamal. Theo has been brilliant at left back and Yamal has been a revelation. Feel like Williams will expose Kounde though. Deschamps will probably have a plan in place.

Predictions:

Spain 3-2 France
Netherlands 2-1 England

Spain's defensive absences may be a worry for them and they've also lost Pedri for the tournament. Olmo may have to be deployed in midfield. Would have liked to see Isco in this tournament who was one of the best players in La Liga last season after revitalizing his career. Gavi is a big miss as well. They'll probably (I'd say certainly) outplay France, but Deschamp's boring side know how to keep it solid and will be hard to put away.

The Dutch will be an easier game for England than the unremarkable, but solid Swiss. Never been impressed watching the Dutch since the likes of Robben and RVP retired and Turkey were arguably the better team yesterday.

comment by Sheriff John Brown - Arteta IN!!! (U7482)
posted 2 minutes ago
The Dutch will be an easier game for England than the unremarkable, but solid Swiss. Never been impressed watching the Dutch since the likes of Robben and RVP retired and Turkey were arguably the better team yesterday.
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Why would the Dutch be an easier game? Ranked higher, in better form, score more goals. Our record against the bigger teams too should come into question.

Think he means the Dutch style should suit England more than the Swiss.

Will England stay with 3 at the back or revert? Wouldn't surprise me if Wout Weghorst starts for the Dutch instead of Bergwijn to give them a more direct route forward.

comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Sheriff John Brown - Arteta IN!!! (U7482)
posted 2 minutes ago
The Dutch will be an easier game for England than the unremarkable, but solid Swiss. Never been impressed watching the Dutch since the likes of Robben and RVP retired and Turkey were arguably the better team yesterday.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Why would the Dutch be an easier game? Ranked higher, in better form, score more goals. Our record against the bigger teams too should come into question.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Their defense looks dodgier than the Swiss. Sure, they have more high profile defenders with the likes of Van Dijk, De Vrijs, Ake, De Ligt, Van de Ven etc, but they concede too many chances everytime I've watched them. Organization seems to be lacking.

comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 42 seconds ago
Think he means the Dutch style should suit England more than the Swiss.

Will England stay with 3 at the back or revert? Wouldn't surprise me if Wout Weghorst starts for the Dutch instead of Bergwijn to give them a more direct route forward.
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Yeah but even with the change of style I'm not seeing a more comfortable victory. Southgate will see to it that we make it a struggle and be his usual reactive, rather than proactive, self.

We've gone from getting 1 goal leads in the group games and struggling to hang on, to going behind by a goal and struggling to hang on in the KO rounds so far, all the while not facing a strong team who can actually take more of an advantage when they are on top. So to face an even stronger team, I'm worried.

It feels to me like we are due a good beating with the way we've performed and got lucky so far.

comment by Sheriff John Brown - Arteta IN!!! (U7482)
posted 9 minutes ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Sheriff John Brown - Arteta IN!!! (U7482)
posted 2 minutes ago
The Dutch will be an easier game for England than the unremarkable, but solid Swiss. Never been impressed watching the Dutch since the likes of Robben and RVP retired and Turkey were arguably the better team yesterday.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Why would the Dutch be an easier game? Ranked higher, in better form, score more goals. Our record against the bigger teams too should come into question.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Their defense looks dodgier than the Swiss. Sure, they have more high profile defenders with the likes of Van Dijk, De Vrijs, Ake, De Ligt, Van de Ven etc, but they concede too many chances everytime I've watched them. Organization seems to be lacking.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They conceded 3 to a rampant Austria but they've kept a few clean sheets in recent games and I think Turkey are a more dangerous team than Switzerland have been.

I guess I'm not seeing the same optimism as other people. This is the time when we usually go out of tournaments, when we first encounter a big team in a KO round.

Is Van Dijk out of Wednesday's game?

comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 1 minute ago
Is Van Dijk out of Wednesday's game?
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Not that I know of. Not banned.

comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 8 minutes ago
comment by Barefoot (U19770)
posted 1 minute ago
Is Van Dijk out of Wednesday's game?
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Not that I know of. Not banned.
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Ah I thought he was, well hoping!

Think we may sneak past them regardless. Time for a Euro 96 performance.
Certainly due one!

England France final. Put the house on it.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9IAHuBIdqy/?igsh=d25wcDg1ODNnNGx3

worst semis ever for euro
best semis ever for copa
that's all that really matters - europe should ban itself from soccerball

If Argentina vs Canada is the best South American semi ever, it seems South America should ban itself from soccer ball.

comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 2 hours, 6 minutes ago
If Argentina vs Canada is the best South American semi ever, it seems South America should ban itself from soccer ball.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
so true - this idiot hasn’t a clue.

Argentina needed pens to scrape past a bang average Ecuador. Colombia vs Panama in a QF - what a joke, England beat them 6-1 in 2018 and just got laughed at for conceding 1.

The reality is (and I have been watching the Copa) only Argentina, Uruguay and Colombia are any good, the rest including Brazil have been pizz poor with special mention to the US who were shiete despite being hosts

I think we will edge the Netherlands, in extra time.

France will beat Spain - entertaining sides rarely win international tournaments and as good as Spain have been, the French will park the bus and grind like there is no tomorrow.

The unhappiness an England vs France final will bring to some will be a thing of beauty - whining about how Spain were the best team to watch blah blah.

Argentina will win the Copa - they will pump Canada who are unbelievably lucky to be in the semi. Colombia vs Uruguay on paper is the game of the tournament - I cannot wait, I will tip Colombia who should be fresher following the quarters. Argentina to break their hearts in the final.

This summers football has been much better than the critics give it credit for

comment by Striketeam7 - confident for Southgate’s nearly slaaaags (U18109)
posted 22 minutes ago
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 2 hours, 6 minutes ago
If Argentina vs Canada is the best South American semi ever, it seems South America should ban itself from soccer ball.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
so true - this idiot hasn’t a clue.

Argentina needed pens to scrape past a bang average Ecuador. Colombia vs Panama in a QF - what a joke, England beat them 6-1 in 2018 and just got laughed at for conceding 1.

The reality is (and I have been watching the Copa) only Argentina, Uruguay and Colombia are any good, the rest including Brazil have been pizz poor with special mention to the US who were shiete despite being hosts
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I didn't watch the game, but the reports I read said Ecuador were actually pretty good.