Women's football

[Durhamfootman]

THat was a bizarre game from France. They were all over Belgium like a rash first half. Gave them no time and no space, forcing error after error in dangerous areas. Belgium were made to look like a pub team and I feared for them because I thought France were going to score 5 again. Then from out of nowhere they string together a counter attack of the highest quality to equalise, stinging France into immediately re-asserting their dominance and restoring their lead. But instead of coming out all guns blazing France came out for the second half and immediately stopped pressing. They dropped their intensity and gave Belgium as much time on the ball as they could have dared to hope for. Belgium grew in confidence, started putting passing moves together, played their way back into the game. There was never any danger of France losing the game, but with a one goal lead you just never know.

Awful penalty award from VAR. The ref was happy that the handball was completely accidental, I don't remember seeing any France player appealing, because it was just completely accidental, but VAR dragged the ref back to have another look and only showed her footage in slow mo, which made it look worse than it actually was and the pen was awarded and the unfortunate player sent off for a second yellow. There was a huge element of justice when the keeper saved the pen and the rebound was fired wide

I really don't get the way VAR is being used in this tournament. The German Popp gets nothing from the ref after being dragged back by the last defender to prevent her going one on one with the keeper and VAR doesn't get involved, seemingly because the ref didn't request it, then tonight the ref is happy there was no infringement but this time VAR does get involved and informs her that they think she's made a mistake and should look again.

[Durhamfootman]

England march on. Their 14 goals in the group stage has broken the record of 11 by Germany in 2011

I thought NI defended heroically for large parts of the game, but they got mugged by 4 goals in 8 minutes either side of half time.

meanwhile Norway were knocked out by Austria, so I guess the scars from Mon night lingered. Germany will be pretty happy with that, although they wouldn't perhaps be worried about Norway either

[Durhamfootman]

Beth England imo is not the answer, and I've seen little of Russo to say she should start.

I have a feeling that Beth England might be the only outfield player to have not featured in any capacity in this comp, so perhaps the coach agrees with you

Russo's second goal tonight was a moment of real quality. Pity then that she ballooned the hat trick ball over the bar from 5 yards out with the goal at her mercy

[Gingerfinch]

Beth England imo is not the answer, and I've seen little of Russo to say she should start.

I have a feeling that Beth England might be the only outfield player to have not featured in any capacity in this comp, so perhaps the coach agrees with you

Russo's second goal tonight was a moment of real quality. Pity then that she ballooned the hat trick ball over the bar from 5 yards out with the goal at her mercy

My wife prefers Russo to White. My daughter was training tonight, so missed the game. Did N Ireland get out of their half much?

[Durhamfootman]

not a lot. They were in danger of losing their heads, but managed to do what Norway were unable to do and slow everything down. England made 3 changes at half time which probably helped NI in this.

Russo's first goal was header from a cross, very similar to the other night. The second was a good through ball from Toone. Russo had her back to goal and 3 defenders on her, but turned them inside out, left them for dead and slotted it past the onrushing keeper. Superbly done. I'd watched a bit of her in the qualifiers and the warm up games and I wasn't that struck tbh, but this goal certainly make me take notice

Toone continues to blaze the ball over the top. England were much less clinical in front of goal tonight

[Durhamfootman]

They'll have to be clinical against Spain

[Durhamfootman]

27 shots, but only 7 on target

[Gingerfinch]

Just seen Russo's goal. Very tidy!

25% on target is pretty poor. I haven't a clue what the norm is. 40-50%?

[Durhamfootman]

Beth England imo is not the answer, and I've seen little of Russo to say she should start.

I have a feeling that Beth England might be the only outfield player to have not featured in any capacity in this comp, so perhaps the coach agrees with you

not true. Stokes is injured, but Parris and Wubben-Moy haven't played either.
edit: Wubben Moy not available because of covid

[Durhamfootman]

Just seen Russo's goal. Very tidy!

25% on target is pretty poor. I haven't a clue what the norm is. 40-50%?

25 shots against Norway, with 15 on target, so perhaps

[sussexpob]

Just seen Russo's goal. Very tidy!

25% on target is pretty poor. I haven't a clue what the norm is. 40-50%?

25 shots against Norway, with 15 on target, so perhaps

The very best elite strikers tend to hit the target in the range of 35-40 percent of shots. Exceptionally rare to find people who hit the target much above 40 percent for any length of time. 50 percent is unheard of....

Out of that even elite forwards take roughly 3 shots on target for a goal.

It works out roughly that for every 10-11 shots, a goal is scored. If a Harry kane had 15 shots on target, you'd expect him to score 5 odd goals. But 25 overall shots would be pretty normal for a routine Man City 2-0 victory

[sussexpob]

Spurs had the best shot accuracy last year in the PL....31 percent as a team on target, but 10 percent shots to goals....

Interesting very small amounts of difference between sides. Goals seem more about creating more chances, than inferior teams missing more

[Durhamfootman]

have you watched much of the tournament, SP?

All a bit of a struggle for Spain against Denmark. Fingers crossed they don't suddenly turn it on for the QF

[sussexpob]

have you watched much of the tournament, SP?

All a bit of a struggle for Spain against Denmark. Fingers crossed they don't suddenly turn it on for the QF

Yeah I have caught a few games, including last night. Hard to know what to think of Spain's performance; they dominated the ball for large points, and the midfield battle wasnt even a contest. Spain were able to recycle the ball and just press Denmark back, but Denmark defended the box well, and the Spanish lacked the quality with ball at feet to create openings against a disciplined backline. A few times the Spanish 10 found space and fluffed her touch. And they ended just throwing aimless crosses at Denmark's far taller defenders... only really once Denmark committed a few forward and took off a defender for extra players up front searching for a goal, did a Spanish cross actually find an unchallenged head, and it was a nicely taken goal.

But then Denmark went more direct to bypass the midfield, and Spain really struggled with that. I thought Maria Leon at CB for Spain looked ropey as hell and was physically annihilated every time the two Danish forwards got near her. Definately a weakness England should look to exploit. She looks a technically gifted centre back, but she converted there for a Barcelona team that like to build and pass.... he defensive qualities are questionable. Three times she let Denmark with pretty aimless long balls at the end of the first half, and each time Denmark really should have punished the error.

I think England shouldnt have seen much to give them sleepless nights. And of course, while Spain were highly tipped to win this tournament, Putellas is a massive loss for them. Spain definitely miss that quality in the final third, and some goal threat she brings.

[Durhamfootman]

England have spent this tournament charging down the wings at pace. I'm hoping that Spain will struggle to contain that. I didn't watch the game last night, but I think there was another pull back from a Spain defender. They seem to like a bit of that. I think England need to make sure the ref sees this stuff if it happens in the QF.

This year I've completely changed my opinion of Keira Walsh. I used to think she was another Jordan Henderson sucking the life out of every England move, but now I'm fully appreciating the way she controls the middle of the park. She breaks play up, she always gives her team mates an outlet, she spreads the play well. On the odd occasion before this tournament when she was subbed out, the midfield became a chaotic place and England struggled to move the ball around slickly. Spain will be a big test for her, because she really holds this team together and dictates the pace of play, so if they control that space, England might struggle for fluency

England are playing very well though atm and confidence will be high, so we'll see