New International Football thread

[Gingerfinch]

Population of Montenegro is 628000. Less than Leeds.

Should have stuck with Serbia

[Durhamfootman]

some half that.

England going forward have been masterful. I know it's Montenegro, but many's the time that an England team has made hard work of polishing off this sort of team.

Some of the passing, control and one/two's have been sumptuous

Still that worry defensively, though

Montenegro have only attacked twice and both times Pickford has had to make good saves. I had hoped tht the return of Stones might have alleviated this problem, but seemingly not. Not sure why Chilwell has to keep having a nibble at the legs of the attacker right on the edge of the box. Flirting with danger all the time at the back, yet looks great going forward

perhaps England are going to be the new Brazil? We don't care how many you score, we will score more

[Durhamfootman]

why do I'm a celebrity describe Ian Wright as a football legend and James Haskell as an England rugby star? Both have retired from their sport, but Haskell has won double the number of England caps that Wrighty has. Why can't they both be described as former England football or rugby players? Would it not pull in as many sponsors?

[bigfluffylemon]

Population of Montenegro is 628000. Less than Leeds.

Well done England and all that, but it does seem a bit ludicrous that World Cup and Euro qualifying involves such ridiculous matchups. San Marino, Montenegro, Gibralter, Faroe Islands, Andorra etc. lining up to get thumped 5-0, 6-0, 7-0 by the likes of Germany, France, Spain, Italy, England etc., all of whom have populations and money thousands of times greater than the minnows. Frankly, the fact they can keep the score below double digits is an achievement given the mismatch in resources.

Then England cruise through qualifying again and again, and come a cropper in a tournament the moment they come up against a half-decent opposition, as they don't get put under pressure much in between tournaments.

Maybe some pre-qualifying round for the lower ranked teams would be in order, to try and avoid this?

[Durhamfootman]

quieter second half as Montenegro do what they should have done from the off and play 9 at the back, but another couple of goals despite the parked bus, the 3 subs and the positional changes.

I do like Rashford. Of all the players, he was the one still providing the impetus, still charging up and down the wing and into the box, as everyone else pulled up the comfy chairs and sat down to a second half cup of tea

7-0

I think that means we've qualified

[Durhamfootman]

Maybe some pre-qualifying round for the lower ranked teams would be in order, to try and avoid this?

That would lead to less TV money. If anything they should double the number of teams, double the number of games and watch the money roll in

More money.... it's what the game is crying out for

[Durhamfootman]

they could follow the cricket T20 model and make the football pitches so small that any ricochet off a defenders legs in his own box can deflect into the opposition goal

imagine how exciting that would be

[bigfluffylemon]

Maybe some pre-qualifying round for the lower ranked teams would be in order, to try and avoid this?

That would lead to less TV money. If anything they should double the number of teams, double the number of games and watch the money roll in

More money.... it's what the game is crying out for

Always the way, isn't it?

Rashford was excellent, but my MotM was Chilwell. Superb in the first half with his work rate and pin-point delivery. Kane might have got the hat trick, but Chilwell set him up for two of them.

Despite qualifying and topping the ground, England could still do with a result away in Kosovo on Sunday to ensure a seeded entry into the tournament draw. Away in Eastern Europe is never easy, but you'd think they should pick up at least a point, which should do it.

[Durhamfootman]

I thought they had secured the seeded position, unless I've misunderstood. Seemingly they now avoid all the top European nations and play all their group matches at Wembley, with the incentive of the SF and F also being played there.

[Gingerfinch]

Yeah a point is enough, I think?

At least it makes the game worth watching.

Sterling back, possibly for Sancho after his quiet game last night.

[Durhamfootman]

Yeah a point is enough, I think?

England's GD is about 19 or 20 higher than the Czech Republic, so probably don't need the point

[Gingerfinch]

Yeah a point is enough, I think?

England's GD is about 19 or 20 higher than the Czech Republic, so probably don't need the point

Don't we need a result to get home advantage throughout, not just to win the group? TBH, I'm a bit confused about next years Euros.

[Durhamfootman]

me too

we'll finish top of the table irrespective of anything except a 22-0 win for the CR, so why we would need an extra point to secure all that is beyond me

[Durhamfootman]

Although the draw has not taken place yet, we know for certain that England will be in Group D at the Euros.

And by qualifying automatically, the Three Lions ensured they will play all three group matches at Wembley - on Sunday, 14 June, Friday, 19 June and Tuesday, 23 June.

If they are to reach the final, five of their seven matches will be at the national stadium, with only the last-16 and quarter-final matches to be played overseas.

Had Scotland qualified automatically, there would have been a draw to decide whether the England v Scotland game would be in London or at Hampden Park - another of the host stadiums - but the Scots cannot finish in the top two of their group.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50423936

[Gingerfinch]

Cheers, Footman