World Cup 2026

[Durhamfootman]

The Strauss invective let Newcastle down, Liverpool down, his country down and himself down

Tw@t!

I was gutted that Sweden made the WC through the backest of back doors, but I'm delighted now. A chance for Isak to look like a *modded* donkey on the biggest stage in football

come back when you're 30 and try again when you've lost all your pace and your knees aren't quite what they were.... hey... you might turn out to be another Messi

w@nker!

[Durhamfootman]

Not that I'm bitter, you understand

[Gingerfinch]

This French team is the most entertaining international team I've seen since the 82 Brazil side. The pace, guile and movement of the top four and the subs is great to watch. Question is, can they go one better and win it?

[alfie]

This Mexican team flying... Still to concede a goal after 4 games. Ecuador had chances after HT but never really looked like scoring so perhaps better finishing would have breached that defence. But really a very convincing win for one of the hosts.

They are still at home for the round of 16 so will be a very tough nut to crack...

Though I see plenty of rather pessimistic comments on here about England's chances of being their challenger so must be Congo ! I suppose pessimism is the default option for England fans

Seriously I have a little more faith in Tuchel and his lads and am hoping they will be stepping up now they are through the group stage , albeit without setting the world on fire. Looking for something more lively since I have to either stay up or set the alarm for 1.45 am !

[Gingerfinch]

Well what can you say about this?

[Gingerfinch]

We kept knocking and it has finally paid off. Not sure what the keeper was trying to do?

[Gingerfinch]

Two keepers weren't getting that one!

[sussexpob]

That Kane goal just absolute pearler.

England came through a tough game, but they won. Congo played well but tired badly...and that's England's strength. The bench is strong

[Durhamfootman]

Nervy though

job done, I guess. Now the small matter of Mexico in their own home, halfway up a mountain and in the rarified air. At least the game will be played late away from the worst excesses of the heat

England will have to play better than they did tonight. They were awful in that first quarter and not that great in the third. It took the hydration breaks, rockets from the manager and tactical subs for things to improve. Not sure why it has to take all those things to get them going. Anyway, saved by St Harry.

Lets hope James is back as expected for the R16, because the full back positions, particularly the right, are leaving England exposed at the back. Not replacing Livramento with another full back is looking like a bad idea, unless James stays fit and he has rarely managed to. Rice did a job for his boss late on, but that can't continue for long

[Durhamfootman]

I thought England were going to be undone by goalkeeping heroics tonight. For most of the game he looked virtually unbeatable

[andy]

Senegal are 2-0 up against Belgium with half hour to go!

[Durhamfootman]

I'd like to say that Belgium are on the verge of squandering their golden generation once more, but it almost feels as though so many of these players have been around for so long that really it's become more of a silver generation than a golden one

Hey, there might still be a bit of fight in the old dog yet.... you never know

[andy]

For all the talent they have going forward they've looked toothless and not looked threatening whatsoever

[andy]

Lukaku pulls one back! 2-1 with 5 mins plus stoppage time remaining

[andy]

2-2!!!! They don't deserve to be level but they are