NO ONE wants to diminish the nation’s joy following such a thrilling win over Croatia.
England demonstrated their talent in the second half of their Group L opener.
Credit: AFP
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Nevertheless, there were defensive gaps so evident that even Stevie Wonder would notice them — vulnerabilities that a strong opponent will exploit relentlessly.
One team, in particular, should give us pause.
Honestly, the only thing that could hinder France in this World Cup is . . . the French themselves.
Think our bench is strong? Les Bleus operate on an entirely different level.
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If Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele aren’t making an impact behind Kylian Mbappe, they can always count on Bradley Barcola and Rayan Cherki, just as coach Didier Deschamps has done recently.
Mbappe may steal the limelight, but former Crystal Palace player Michael Olise is the one who truly makes the French team operate seamlessly.
Seeing these talents in the lineup should invoke a sense of fear in every Englishman and woman akin to the guillotine 250 years ago.
England shifted gears when necessary on Wednesday, just as France did against a skilled Senegal side.
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This year’s World Cup is unique, with a record 48 nations vying for football’s highest honor.
England manager Thomas Tuchel is determined to finally bring football home after a 60-year wait.
However, football legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have their own plans for what may be their final World Cup showing.
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Yet, there is one weakness in their setup that could manifest at any time.
France has the ability to shift from smooth sailing to chaos in a heartbeat.
No national team in history has fluctuated between brilliance and folly as precariously as our acquaintances across the Channel.
Their title defense in 2002 was disastrous — despite a squad featuring Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, and Patrick Vieira — as they finished last in their group.
In a typically unpredictable fashion, they reached the final against Italy in 2006, only for Zidane to lose his cool, delivering the most infamous headbutt in football history.
The pinnacle of their self-destructive tendencies emerged four years later when players revolted against coach Raymond Domenech after he sidelined Nicolas Anelka following an altercation.
The team outright refused to exit the bus at their training ground while Domenech, who once chose players based on zodiac signs (not fond of Scorpios), confiscated the keys.
The debacle became so significant that it inspired a Netflix documentary and prompted a parliamentary inquiry in Paris.
Naturally, conditions have improved since then.
Nonetheless, even five years ago at the Euros, when they were favorites after clinching the World Cup in Russia, they faced an elimination in the last 16.
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The tournament began with some tension following a dispute between Mbappe and Olivier Giroud — and the discord escalated from there.
This even led to drama in the stands involving family members. A quintessential French debacle.
There’s no denying France’s prowess in coaching and cultivating young talent.
When they find their rhythm, even peak Paolo Maldini and Fabio Cannavaro would struggle against them, let alone Ezri Konsa and John Stones.
However, it is always a tenuous balancing act, and an air of unpredictability prevails, making them fascinating to watch.
If England hopes to attain glory, they will likely need the French to stumble.
EM ITV SPOT IS RIDICULOUS
ITV must have drained their entire budget on their chic Brooklyn studio overlooking Manhattan.
Because it’s hard to see any other reason for placing Emma Hayes with a blackboard and chalk during FIFA’s absurd “hydration breaks.”
She’s not just a renowned manager but also one of the top analysts — making her write formations on a set resembling a kitchen seems unjust and invites derision.
As expected, social media seized on it. The television has been around for a century, folks. Is it too much to ask for a decent setup?
Credit: ITV
Credit: ITV
MESSI OUTPERFORMS RONALDO
CRISTIANO RONALDO may still resemble a marble statue at 41 . . . but Lionel Messi appears to have aged more gracefully.
It has been over 1,000 minutes since Ronaldo scored from open play in a major tournament, and these days, he often seems like a hindrance.
They might as well have played with ten men against DR Congo.
He hardly moved.
Messi, slightly younger than his biggest rival, hasn’t been a physical specimen for years, yet the GOAT still possesses it.
Credit: AFP
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
KIA’S RACING AGAINST THE TIDE
FOOTBALL agent Kia Joorabchian has stirred significant excitement in horse racing lately.
However, his Amo Racing endeavor increasingly resembles a delicate house of cards.
He’s borrowed £55 million from a U.S. investment firm and invested it in acquiring horses, upgrading stables, and hiring trainers.
Since deepening his involvement in the sport, he has little success to show for it, and it’s been another tough week at Royal Ascot.
His bank manager must be feeling the pressure.
