Bugger (Again)
Oh for fuck sake, not penalties again. We invented the game, couldn’t we at least invent a way of deciding games that didn’t involve penalty shoot outs. Of course, if you build your penalty spots on sand.
Let me get the bad things out of the way first. That was the worst I’ve seen England play so far. We were outplayed by a Portugal team that was distinctly average. Our entire midfield were absolutely rubbish. We defended far too deep, let Portugal have far too much of the ball and never looked like we could put two passes together, let alone score.
That said, and really we are our own worst enemy, we lost our best player early on (and as a portent of things to come, the ref thought Rooney fouled the defender when the defender stood on his foot). We really won the game because there was nothing wrong with Sol Campbell’s goal, and the Suiss referree was a fuckwit of the first order. I know goalkeepers get too much protection, and if you go near them a freekick is awarded, but this time John Terry stands still and the goalkeeper goes towards Terry. Bah! We looked so tired. Despite defending so deep, Portugal didn’t really look like scoring until they brought on fresh legs.
Let me praise Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell; our best players. Outstanding, particularly Cole who didn’t let Ronaldo in the game at all.
Where was Beckham? Falling over at the penalty spot once is unlucky, twice is just careless even if you were the first to go.