Is there any reason why England shouldn’t win the World Cup?

[Scallywolf]

I haven’t been overly impressed with Spain or Argentina, I don’t think there is much between them and England. France are in a league of their own though imo.

Agree.

Argentina are susceptible and concede goals against anybody. Exciting to watch, but teams can get at them.

Spain have been boring and lack a real top striker. Oyarzabal has scored for them, but is he an out and out target man?

France look winners to me. They have been excellent in all their matches and don’t have many weaknesses.

We will run them close, but the defence is our only weakness.

 

[WolvesAndCows]

Just been saying down the pub, there are a few teams that have had a few good games. However, France aren't just head and shoulders above the rest, they are body and hips above too. I hope I'm wrong, but I just can't see past France winning, unless they get several injuries.

Spain are unbeaten in 35 games, and have yet to concede a goal in the tournament, so I'd give them a very good chance.

 

[St. Lukes Reserves]

No, Infantino won't let it happen

 

[JR WAS KING]

France Spain and Argentina are all better
But tournament football one off game it’s possible

I don't think Argentina are

 

[Madmalc]

I can think of one imminent and then it's perm 2 from 6, as obstacles in the way.
Will they overcome those obstacles?
Then will VAR and the refereeing be an insurmountable reason.

 

[shaygriff]

As long as FIFA is in charge and Messi is still playing, the answer is NO!

 

[JonahWolf]

France Spain and Argentina are all better
But tournament football one off game it’s possible

I don’t think Argentina are better.
Said it from game 1, they’re even more ‘workmanlike + Messi’ than last time.
But of course, that’s still a + Messi which is usually good for at least 1 goal from nowhere per game.

Spain aren’t very good going forward, without fully fit Yamal and Williams providing the pace and unpredictability, they’re very pedestrian.
They don’t give up any chances though, nevermind goals!

France are very easily the best team by a mile. I can’t see us beating them if it came to it.
Our defence is significantly worse than when they knocked us out, their attack has got even better, Deschamps finally releasing his death grip on the handbrake.

We’re ‘better’ going forward this time, due to the 2 truly world class players we have up front being in form and not carrying injuries. Actual creativity has been a problem as the wide areas aren’t providing enough.
Saka was poor most of the game but made 1 proper, clinical contribution, with Gordon much improved.

So yeah, France, and a defence held together with tape are the reasons we can’t win it.
Other than that, maybe.

 

[SmokeyGB]

Depends which Ref we get and what FIFA have told VAR!
Argentina and France final for me as this is what they want, this time France will win and Mbappe will win the Ballon 'dor (ala Messi 4 years ago)
But I would LOVE England to knock Norway and Argies out and then it's a 1 off shoot out between France/Spain I think

 

[Wolf 82]

I don’t think we need to fear anyone but France.. and that’s about match-ups more than anything. They create out wide, with pace.. something that I can’t see us being able to defend.

However, I think Spain match up to France quite well.. so it’s conceivable we could win without having to play France.

Argentina like to create in the spaces where I think we are strongest defensively. Anderson and Rice would have to play well, but I give us a 50% chance of beating Argentina.

I fear pace and size.. so Haaland is gonna be a nightmare for us. If we get past Norway, then I feel fairly confident that we make the final. Then we just need Spain to knock out France to give us a chance of winning that final.

 

[NewOrder306]

Well I have a ticket for the final if England qualify I think we have a chance but Spain, France and Argentina are just as good if not better.......however, we are in with a shout currently. Would be happy to get to the final, win well, even better but my view is I would rather lose a final than a semi.....it still stings doesn't it (you all know what I am on about...still stings...)

 

[WeAreTheWolvesII]

England have undoubtedly benefited from a worse refereeing decision than Argentina this tournament - and it's not even close!

I wonder if Argentinians are complaining that the tournament is rigged for England?

In terms of the football. Obviously at this stage anyone can beat anyone, but England should reach the final. Argentina are a poor team, and I don't think they can compete athletically with England.

Norway will be a problem for England but their defence looks far too weak.

I see France/Spain in the semi-final as a near 50:50. France have the better attack, but Spain are probably the only team in the competition I think they could lose against, as they will keep the ball so well and make France's attack work back a lot. Great contrast in styles.

Realistically, the winner should come from that game, but England have a chance against anyone in a one-off.

 

[glorybox]

I'd rather nail my knackers to the radiator than watch Spain.

 

[fleck1]

The fixation on here with coping with Haaland, pretty sure every other nation feels the same about Kane and his 73 goals this season. We are stronger all over the park compared with Norway, their goalkeeper had an absolute day against Brazil to stop them comfortably advancing.

 

[Tojo the grass]

I'd rather nail my knackers to the radiator than watch Spain.

That’s pretty much what Donald Trump said ahead of the NATO summit.

Apologies that this is politics

 

[Mark Rankines Lovechild]

Unfortunately, France and Spain are both better than us (for me).

A first appearance in a world cup final in my life time is a real possibility though, which would be amazing.

I have to say Spain have looked incredibly average to me - certainly nowhere near the glory days of Xavi etc. I wasn't at all surprised to see a mediocre Brazil exit the tournament either. France on the other hand are different class altogether.

 

[DJLWolf]

I have to say Spain have looked incredibly average to me - certainly nowhere near the glory days of Xavi etc. I wasn't at all surprised to see a mediocre Brazil exit the tournament either. France on the other hand are different class altogether.

Like you say, they have looked average at times to be fair, like against Cape Verde and Portugal, but I thought they looked fantastic against Austria.

I suspect had the oyarzabal sitter gone in after about 10 mins, they'd have beaten Portugal comfortably.

I agree with you in relation to France - the French look on a different level to Spain at the moment but Spain are European champions and undefeated in 34 games (I seem to recall) for a reason.

Not conceding a goal after 5 games of a world cup is also a ludicrous stat.

 

[Big Saft Kid]

Yes, because France are better

 

[Bryce]

I think the Swiss will win the World Cup. They are unstoppable when on a roll…..

They’re Too jammy for me

 

[Big Saft Kid]

I think the Swiss will win the World Cup. They are unstoppable when on a roll…..

or making love to a beautiful woman

 

[Wolf 82]

England have undoubtedly benefited from a worse refereeing decision than Argentina this tournament - and it's not even close!

I wonder if Argentinians are complaining that the tournament is rigged for England?

In terms of the football. Obviously at this stage anyone can beat anyone, but England should reach the final. Argentina are a poor team, and I don't think they can compete athletically with England.

Norway will be a problem for England but their defence looks far too weak.

I see France/Spain in the semi-final as a near 50:50. France have the better attack, but Spain are probably the only team in the competition I think they could lose against, as they will keep the ball so well and make France's attack work back a lot. Great contrast in styles.

Realistically, the winner should come from that game, but England have a chance against anyone in a one-off.

Go on then.. spill the beans. What decision did we benefit from?

Can’t be Konsa, because even if Ghana win that game it doesn’t change the outcome of anything. We still win the group on goal difference.

Maybe you have some other nugget I have forgotten about, but I can’t see anything that measures up to the hand Argentina have had.. Messi not being sent off for a challenge worse and more purposeful than Quansah.. and then all the blatant injustice of Egypt also.

 

[WeAreTheWolvesII]

Go on then.. spill the beans. What decision did we benefit from?

Can’t be Konsa, because even if Ghana win that game it doesn’t change the outcome of anything. We still win the group on goal difference.

Maybe you have some other nugget I have forgotten about, but I can’t see anything that measures up to the hand Argentina have had.. Messi not being sent off for a challenge worse and more purposeful than Quansah.. and then all the blatant injustice of Egypt also.

It was obviously the Ghana one, and head-to-head was the decider, so they would've finished 2nd if it was only Ghana/England on 6 points, becomes more complicated if Croatia were as well.

But, it changes the dynamic if Ghana are given the clear penalty they deserved and England go into the final game on 3 points.

I disagree about Messi's challenge. It was a nasty outcome, but accidental. Should Rice have been sent off for kicking the Mexican fella in the head after a minute? I don't think so, but if you want Messi sent off, then maybe that was a red. Quansah flew in, was over the ball and caught the player with his studs. I reckon it's as blatant a red as you can get.

I don't see any injustice against Egypt.

 

[Perton Wolf]

Yes.... France

They are the outstanding team so far but England have more than enough talent to compete and beat them in a one off game. Not like it's over a 38 game season.

 

[Wolf 82]

They are the outstanding team so far but England have more than enough talent to compete and beat them in a one off game. Not like it's over a 38 game season.

Disagree.. again, it’s about matchups. They’re our worse nightmare because they have 4 wide forwards who like to come inside.. we have poor fullbacks. Anyone else I think we have a chance, but France.. bad game for us.

Spain might beat them though.

 

[Perton Wolf]

Disagree.. again, it’s about matchups. They’re our worse nightmare because they have 4 wide forwards who like to come inside.. we have poor fullbacks. Anyone else I think we have a chance, but France.. bad game for us.

Spain might beat them though.

Not arguing we'd best match up with them either, but my point still stands regarding it being a one off game of which we would be capable of winning. We have also showed the ability to sit in, absorb pressure and defend deep, which could be invaluable if we managed to get ourselves ahead.

 

[Lisas Husband]

England are going to win the world cup and Wolves are getting promoted.

I know this for a variety of very personal reasons but basically just trust me on this.

Quote me....

NB: England might have heroic last minute failure but we are going to have an amazing time watching and Wolves are definitely going up.

I can feel it.

Is your dad George McFly?

 

[Bill S Preston Esq.]

The best team in the tournament should win it and that’s probably not England, who actually will win it ? France, Spain, Argentina, England ?

These are the four best teams. We've nearly as good a chance as any, which may be enough.

 

[Bill S Preston Esq.]

England have undoubtedly benefited from a worse refereeing decision than Argentina this tournament - and it's not even close!

I wonder if Argentinians are complaining that the tournament is rigged for England?

In terms of the football. Obviously at this stage anyone can beat anyone, but England should reach the final. Argentina are a poor team, and I don't think they can compete athletically with England.

Norway will be a problem for England but their defence looks far too weak.

I see France/Spain in the semi-final as a near 50:50. France have the better attack, but Spain are probably the only team in the competition I think they could lose against, as they will keep the ball so well and make France's attack work back a lot. Great contrast in styles.

Realistically, the winner should come from that game, but England have a chance against anyone in a one-off.

There has clearly been decisions made that favour the money spinning teams, of which England are one.

England, USA, France, Spain and Argentina have all had big decisions go their way in my opinion.

 

[Ginger Chimp]

Haaland.

I meant Messi.

 

[WickedWolfie]

I meant Messi.

Like peas in a pod..... PMSL