And that’s all from me for the day. Be sure to return at 5am BST tomorrow morning when we’ll have all the buildup for tomorrow’s biggies.
Have a pleasant evening.
If, like me, you’re very, very, very excited about Belgium v Brazil tomorrow night (it’ll no doubt be a stinker, mind) then this piece by Jonathan Wilson, which has also just landed in Roberto Martínez’s inbox, is well worth your time
Just before I go, here’s some recommended reading...
Marcus Christenson on worshipping at the Church of Tomas Brolin
Liam Rosenior on Gareth Southgate’s need to evolve and adapt his tactical approach
The question you wanted answered when you woke up this morning: what IS shithousery?
Martin Laurence from whoscored.com with some short, snappy and statty previews of the quarter-finals
And Thomas Hitzlsperger on the new Laurent Blanc/Lilian Thuram – Benjamin Pavard
Jeffrey Earp has taken on board Liam Rosenoir’s tactical analysis. Thought about it. Pontificated. Theorised. Calculated. And has reached this conclusion.
“Germany won it last time because of ... Joachim Löw’s hairstyle.
“England will win it this time because of ... Gareth Southgate’s tie-n-vest combo.”
A vest?!
Diego Maradona seems to be concerned about getting his World Cup final tickets as he has apologised for his comments regarding American referee Mark Geiger following Colombia’s elimination to England.
Maradona told Venezuelan broadcaster Telesur that the outcome of that game was a “monumental theft.”
After Fifa issued a statement this morning not exactly going along with El Diego’s trail of thought, the Argentine has responded on Instagram with an apology, claiming he was “driven by the emotions while rooting for Colombia,” and he sometimes disagrees with referees’ decisions but has “the outmost respect for their job, which is not easy.”
There’s also this sweet picture with him and Gianni Infantino. Bless.
“Half-way line, second tier, front row. Job done.”
More on that plum role to play Neymar...
@piercy360 I would really like to see Roy Keane make his acting debut.
— Tom Evans (@_tmevans) July 5, 2018
"Roy, you said you were happy to do your own stunts... We need you to act like you're in pain"
Keano’s nailed on for the Expendables 9, surely
And Rex Mottram wants an animation (insert your own jokes)
@piercy360 surely you can’t go beyond Peter Griffin to play Neymar pic.twitter.com/QCerWvfoHZ
— Rex Mottram (@RexMottram1) July 5, 2018
It’s hot in the UK and it’s even hotter in Samara where England fans will no doubt be conservatively dressed this weekend.
On Tuesday, temperatures in the city hit 36.5C, breaking a 64-year-old record.
As Stuart Urch points out on email. Didier Deschamps has more than a hint of Bobby De Niro about him here...
De Niro did once say: “There is a certain combination of anarchy and discipline in the way I work.”
Deschamps almost certainly didn’t.
Being peppered with budding casting directors for the Neymar biopic
Iain Miller tipping everyone’s new favourite co-commentator Ally McCoist.
@piercy360 Re the Neymar casting... Ally McCoist's got form...https://t.co/3vzVROtiG8
— Iain Millar #FBPE (@IainDM) July 5, 2018
Great shout by Richard Arnatt
@piercy360 I think Janelle Monae has the look, hairstyle and attitude to play Neymar on the big screen. pic.twitter.com/GvlzHRYTVn
— Rich (@richardarnatt) July 5, 2018
Susan Conley keeping it simple... but also very plausible
@piercy360 I’d cast Justin Bieber as Neymar
— Susan Conley (@SusanEConley) July 5, 2018
And this one from Krish. Fight Club and 25th Hour to Neymar is some range...
@piercy360
— krish (@vkmagus) July 5, 2018
Neymar can play himself but he will never play his true colors
As a gifted actor he will present him as someone angelic
I will prefer Edward Norton
A boy face menace
🤣#WorldCup
Well then, John Stones certainly hasn’t held back when asked about Colombia’s ‘tactics’ on Tuesday night.
It was the dirtiest team I’ve ever come up against.
That’s a lad from Barnsley saying that.
We have our first entry... but we’re not sure it’ll get through casting.
Neymar to be played by... Jon Cryer (the other bloke on Two and a Half Men).
Patrick Sullivan will explain: “Best to play Neymar in that move is easy: John CRYER. He’s little, rodentesque, and well, his name says it all. He might need practice rolling around grass for 13 minutes +, but maybe Neymar can be an on-set consultant.”
Like the rest of the planet, Guardian columnist Liam Rosenior has been impressed by Gareth Southgate’s quiet authority, human touch and all-round likability as England manager.
But Liam claims the Three Lions coach is going to have to tweak his approach if he wants to go deeper in this tournament.
Southgate has impressed me so much with his calm, honest and intuitive way of dealing with everything while remaining fundamental to his strong beliefs on a playing style that has empowered and enabled John Stones, Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker to be confident in their ability to build from the back and take possession, something lacking for too long in our national team. The 3-5-2 system employed has brought rewards but the next question and obstacle this squad and Southgate in particular have to overcome is can we adapt our system if things don’t go according to plan – something we haven’t done yet?
But IF there was a Neymar biopic called, Cheap Tricks and Free Kicks, who would be best at playing him?
If this were the late ‘80s there would be a plethora of action stars accustomed to performing 8,736 barrel rolls in a movie... but not sure there are too many suitable candidates in this day and age.
Any suggestions?
... Alexander may or may not have made that up
Hats tipped and pats on back to Alexander Sharkey in Los Angeles who’s cleared up the Neymar mural perhaps not looking entirely like the Brazilian.
As Alexander explains: “Let me clear up the confusion. That mural is actually a promotional image from the forthcoming Hollywood biopic about Neymar Jr, Cheap Tricks and Free Kicks.
“As you can see, the lead role will be played by James Franco.”
So now you know
Afternoon again, James here. Now, if you had to envisage a textbook Didier Deschamps expression, how close to this would it be?
Russia has enjoyed a great World Cup as hosts, as good a time as any then to revisit this film on the country’s football culture.
Updated
Some afternoon reading: it’s an oldie, but while Harry Kane is leading the Golden Boot standings on six, he’ll have some work in catching up with Just Fontaine in 1958.
I’m going to check out of the liveblog for today. I leave you with a picture that will gladden the heart of every Uruguayan: Edinson Cavani, apparently playing a full part in training today. Bye!
Tite has let slip the name of another player who will be in his starting line-up tomorrow. Not a big keeper of secrets, though this one isn’t an enormous surprise: he says Fernandinho will replace the suspended Casemiro.
Kyle Walker is being interviewed live on YouTube right now. You can follow it here:
Didier Deschamps is talking now.
This Uruguay side has a very different profile to Argentina. We will have to be patient. They are extremely organised in defence, they don’t concede many goals. But they also know how to attack and they’re very good with their counters. They switch from defence to attack with a direct style of play that’s really admirable, and have two extremely talented strikers. We need to be patient but we’ll need to have more than patience if we’re going to beat them.
Big news just in from Moscow, where the city’s zoo has unveiled to the public a recently-born eagle, which has been named Akinfeev after the national team’s goalkeeper.
Now this is a question:
Uruguay have been celebrating their victories with roast beef. What celebration would you prefer?
Well I don’t know where our meat comes from. Sometimes they [the staff at the team hotel] suggest they set up barbecues. I don’t think our meat comes from France but it’s excellent meat, and it allows us to relax a bit and in such an intense competition that’s useful.
How important, Lloris is asked, is Cavani?
Cavani has been a great figure at PSG. He’s a winner, he’s a leader, he’s respected in France as a player and also as a man. We’re getting ready for everything, whether he plays or does not play. We know they have other players who can play at a high level. It’s true that Cavani and Suarez are among the most beautiful attacking pairings in the world. They’re a very difficult team to handle and very strong on the counter, regardless of who’s playing up front.
And about his own apparently poor penalty-saving record for his country:
Well every match is independent. In a penalty shoot-out you need to be a bit lucky, but you can prepare, both from the goalkeeper’s point of view and also those who will take the penalties. Before that we will have to play 120 minutes. We shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves.
France are holding a press conference as I type, with Hugo Lloris at the mic. I’m eavesdropping, and will post highlights. First he’s asked about whethere reaching the quarter-finals counts as success for France.
Let’s go step by step, shall we? We’re still in the competition, we feel the enthusiasm that’s behind the French team, but we’re getting ready to fight tomorrow. It’s going to be a big game. We’re focused on the match in hand. Uruguay are a very strong team, it’s going to be a big struggle and we’re going to have to be involved in all aspects of the game.
And on the evolution of Paul Pogba:
I think he’s maturing, he’s growing. He’s accumulating experience and he’s played more seasons, won more caps. He’s growing in the dressing room also, which is good as he’s a leader. He has a lot to offer the team and his team-mates. These big competitions are also good for revealing the true talent of players, and I’m sure that’s true of Paul.
This is quite interesting. The big surprise I suppose is that France is much less interested this time than in 2014, when they were knocked out in the quarter-finals:
In anticipation of the @FIFAWorldCup quarter finals here's a summary of the World Cup TV audiences in 15 markets (13 Europe + Australia + US). To be interpreted with caution, since 2014 & 2018 situation is not always identical. #WorldCup #WorldCup2018 @FIFAcom #football #WC2018 pic.twitter.com/258LKEtPeG
— Daam Van Reeth (@vrdaam) July 5, 2018
Meanwhile the ongoing English-Colombian mud-slinging has continued with John Stones describing England’s vanquished round-of-16 opponents as “the dirtiest team I’ve ever played against”. “The best thing for us was to beat them at football, that will hurt them most,” he said. “They’re back on the plane going home and we’re in the next round.” So there.
After announcing that Joao Miranda would captain the side, Tite has revealed another member of his starting line-up for tomorrow’s quarter-final against Belgium: Marcelo will return at the expense of Filipe Luis, having returned from his apparently mattress-related back-knack. This is what he had to say about it:
I talked to Marcelo and Filipe Luis. Marcelo left [against Serbia] because of a clinical problem and he has not been back because of a physical problem, he only had 45 to 60 minutes and Filipe Luis played very well in those matches but Marcelo is coming back.
Lovable footballing cherub Juninho has been asked for his thoughts about Brazil’s World Cup so far. And astonishingly he thinks they’re really good.
This team struggled a bit, they didn’t expect to draw the first game. Then they got it together and they got two wins. And then against Mexico, it’s the knockout round, you can’t lose, that worry is on your mind, and Brazil got through it, they passed that emotional test.
Brazil were very strong mentally, they suffered the first 20 minutes but after that they composed themselves. I think Brazil now go into the match against Belgium with a lot more confidence. They are now more sure of themselves, even though they are aware they are facing team that will be more difficult to beat than Mexico. They know that they are good players. They haven’t yet had to play in top gear. Technically they are solid. I think now they are solid emotionally.
If there have been any other words or terms that have defined Russia 2018 for you, answers on a postcard to Simon Burnton who’s back in the chair for the rest of the afternoon. Been a pleasure.
What’s been the buzz word of this World Cup then? No, not VAR, it’s ‘shithousery’ and in case you were unaware of the origins of the word, let us take you on a quick tour into the deepest and darkest reaches of foul play
J.R in Illinois still isn’t having the Neymar mural and has even got Mrs J.R in Illinois involved to support his case.
The second photo you posted shows the mural from a slightly different angle from which I can just about see a vague resemblance in a couple spots but I’ll stand by my original assessment which is that the mural is pants. It’s way better than I could do but I bet mine would be funnier.
Conversation with Mrs. J.R. (who knows very well what Neymar looks like):
Me: Do you know who this is supposed to be a mural of?
Mrs. J.R.: No.
Me: Neymar.
Mrs. J.R.: No.
John Stones is currently speaking to reporters and discussing all things Colombia, Barrios (the celebration wasn’t in his direction apparently...) and his pretty damn’ good World Cup so far..
J.R in Illinois doesn’t seem to be a big fan of the newest addition to Kazan’s street artwork scene...
He writes: “Regarding the picture of the mural you posted below can you please tell us who it is really meant to be a mural of. There’s no way in hell that looks anything like Neymar.”
It’s not *that* Ronaldo statue but you may have a point...
You may be thinking/hoping/praying this is a ‘It’s Coming Home’ meme-free safespace. Well, you’d be wrong as we revel in Ian Broudie’s lyrics being delivered by Neo, David Brent and Patrick Bateman (sort of)...
Brolin... Dahlin... Broliiiiiin! Okay, maybe the greatest goal in Swedish football history didn’t happen at the World Cup but Tomas Brolin’s collection of 1-2s at Euro ‘92 remains something very special.
Derided for his time in England with Crystal Palace, in his pomp with Sweden and Parma in the mid-90s he was one of the finest strikers in world football.
Here’s Marcus Christenson’s paean to one of his football idols.
Interesting news out of the Russia camp that mercurial playmaker Alan Dzagoev has declared himself fit for Saturday’s quarter-final against Croatia.
Dzagoev hasn’t played since suffering a back injury in the 5-0 opening day win over Saudi Arabia (as Denis Cheryshev then went on to steal his thunder).
Dzagoev, who can be a bit good on his day, said: “It was an old back injury. It was a bit jammed. Today I was training in a main group. Everything is fine. I am ready for the game.”
Photograph: Denis Tyrin/AP
Sebastian Larsson, who knows a thing or two about English football, has been speaking to reporters and clearly hasn’t taken the bait when it comes to questions regarding any agricultural tactics Sweden may adopt.
Larsson missed the last 16 win over Switzerland due to suspension but will come back into the side for Saturday admits it’ll be a “special” occasion for him.
The former Arsenal, Birmingham, Sunderland and Hull midfielder said: “It’s a game I’m really looking forward to, it’s the quarter-finals of the World Cup and for me personally to be going up against England, the country where I spent 17 years, it’s obviously a little bit special.
“We’ve got huge respect for England, they’ve got quality players all over the pitch, they’re a good team, but for us, like we have been doing for most of this tournament, we’re trying to focus mostly on ourselves.”
The hotel in Kazan where Brazil are staying before their blockbuster quarter-final against Belgium have painted a mural of Neymar on the wall.
They seem to have given him a sensible haircut, while we are waiting patiently for Marouane Fellaini’s...
Afternoon all. Greeting you with a nonsense online petition klaxon as Reuters are reporting that 170,000 Colombia fans have signed a petition demanding England’s last-16 match against Colombia is replayed.
The grievances (which bizarrely don’t include Lucas Barrios: The Art of War, Johan Mojica deliberately scuffing up the penalty spot prior to Harry Kane’s effort or Radamel Falcao being an all-round terrible bloke) stem from Kanes’s penalty for “a non-existent foul” (okay...) and that Carlos Bacca’s extra-time goal should have been allowed to stand after Harry Maguire lost concentration after a second ball was thrown onto the field.
The petition calls for FIFA “to review these two actions, in order to set a precedent for fair play”.
Best of luck.
Right then, I’m going to hand over to James Piercy for a bit. Bye for now!
Another closet England fan crawls out of the woodwork:
Merkel meeting May in Berlin but says negotiations are between U.K. and Commission #brexit
— katya adler (@BBCkatyaadler) July 5, 2018
Merkel says happy England at least remains in World Cup
— katya adler (@BBCkatyaadler) July 5, 2018
And here’s a heartfelt rant you may have missed from Stuart James, published yesterday. Before you read it, though, here’s an important lexicographical update:
Shithousery is a fairly nebulous term, taking in as it does pretty much all the dark arts employed on a football pitch – everything from diving to headbutting via haranguing the referee and time-wasting. Generally, in its most simple guise, shithousery is an attempt to gain an advantage by unfair means and therefore it has existed around football for a long time.
Where does the phrase originate? Well, it has been around for a long time. Tony Crowley's Liverpool English Dictionary traces the term back to Scouse slang used in the 1960s. The Concise New Partridge Dictionary of Slang has an entry for "shithouse", with definitions "an extremely unpleasant individual" and "a coward".
Thus Neymar was both a victim and perpetrator of shithousery during one incident against Mexico. With Neymar on the ground by the touchline Miguel Layún wandered over and surrepticiously trod on the Brazilian’s ankle – classic shithousery designed to wind a player up in an attempt to provoke a more obvious act of aggression and therefore a red card. Neymar, though, reacted by screaming and rolling around on the floor as if on fire – top level shithousery (also exhibiting a key facet of shithousing: not caring what anyone thinks of your shithousing, no matter how clear the shithousing is) aimed solely at getting Layún what he may or may not have deserved.
Portugal’s Pepe – the Mozart of shithousery – almost produced the coup de grace during his country’s game against Morocco. After aggressively challenging Mehdi Benatia at a corner (entry-level shithousing by Pepe’s standard) the Portugal defender flung himself to the turf when Benatia then tapped him on his back to remonstrate. If that were not enough Pepe then leaped to his feet to square up to his Moroccan opponent. That’s high-level shithousery.
But England v Colombia on Tuesday became this World Cup’s epicentre of shithousery. Jordan Henderson collapsing in apparent agony after being lightly brushed by the head of Wilmar Barrios? That’s shithousery. Colombia players kicking and scuffing the spot before Harry Kane’s penalty? That’s shithousery. Arguing with the ref while doing it? Double shithousery! Colombian coach Eduardo Julio Urtasun barging Raheem Sterling as he left the field at half-time? Woah, off-the-field shithousery?
Yes, shithousery isn’t just confined to the players – witness a middle-aged Peru fan clambering over several children in Australia tops to snatch Tim Cahill’s shirt at the end of the countries’ meeting in the group stage.
And here are some highlights of the #GarethSouthgateWould hashtag, which is apparently a thing:
Bong! It’s World Cup Fiver o’clock!
Ben Lyttleton wrote an entire book about taking penalties, and now he’s written an article about why England are suddenly not totally terrible at them:
I got 9/10 in today’s quiz, taking my eye off the ball with the final question. Have a go yourself here:
Here are Martin Laurence’s quarter-final previews and predictions. He makes England slight favourites for their tie:
England have reasons to be concerned. They have struggled to create a great deal from open play since their scintillating start against Tunisia, particularly against the two stronger sides they have faced. Sweden have created seven more chances from open play than England but they do not have anyone as deadly as Harry Kane, who has scored six goals from just nine shots at this World Cup. England’s superior quality should just about win out, but it’s unlikely to be easy viewing yet again.
More here:
A couple of footballing headlines:
- João Miranda will captain Brazil in their quarter-final against Belgium.
- Uefa have adopted the policy of allowing a fourth substitution if a match goes to extra time, and it will come into effect immediately in both the Champions League and the Europa League.
Here’s another unofficial Sweden World Cup song. Reader Stuart Hyde picks up the story:
“I saw that you’ve posted a few world cup songs from Sweden and so shamelessly, whilst at the same time being utterly ashamed and worrying about how my kids would take it, I have to submit the link to our song, that has enjoyed some moderate success in Sweden. Based on the independent feedback received it is better than Per Gessle’s by miles and annoyingly catchy. I can only hear that we didn’t have time for a proper studio recording and that I look like an idiot, but it was excellent fun. I’m on the trumpet.”
I have watched the whole thing, and can report that there is evidence of some very irresponsible driving in the final scene.
Here’s a thing with Sweden’s Andreas Granqvist. England’s Fabian Delph missed their last game to witness the birth of his third child, but with a child of his own due Granqvist is going nowhere:
Brazil have arrived at the Mirage Hotel in Kazan, where they will play Belgium tomorrow. Their fans knew they were coming:
Neymar’s mum has spoken! These quotes are from an interview with HLN:
As a mother, how do you feel when you see your being kicked around?
It’s difficult. He takes a lot of blows. But I can’t do anything about it. You just have to accept it, it’s part of football. They have already made 23 fouls on him during this tournament ... Compared to all that, I find my son quite brave.
The Mexican coach said that Neymar was “a disgrace to football”. He accuses him of play-acting. How do you feel about the criticism?
I am quite serene about all that. No matter what the coach of a small team or another team says. I have my opinion, you have yours, everyone has his. Each his profession, I guess. Despite all this, my son will continue to take his responsibilities on the pitch. Thank God, he is feeling well and he continues to be playing well. What matters is my son and what he will do in the future. Not what people are saying.
What do you think of the match against Belgium?
Frankly, I do not know if the Seleção will win this game. This one will be decided on small details. But I have faith and I am confident. He will play against his team-mate Thomas Meunier, no? I know they get on well. That said, he often has to play against teammates, it does not change anything for him.
Will your son stay in Paris?
Yes. He is feeling good in Paris. He has no reason to leave.
Talking of producing World Cup talent, here’s a piece on Anderlecht’s influence on the Belgium team. Apparently Anderlecht youth-team graduates have scored two more goals in the World Cup so far than the entire Brazil squad:
Here’s some research just in from a leading bookmaker, who have combed through the background of all players remaining at the World Cup, totted up which clubs they have played for (only senior teams count, including loan spells), and worked out which clubs can claim to have had the biggest influence on this year’s quarter-finals. Six of the top 10 are English, and one of those is Sunderland, who are thus definitively more influential on top-level football than Real Madrid, Juventus or Bayern Munich. Take that, logic!
The top 10 in full:
- Manchester City (15)
- Tottenham Hotspur (14)
- Dinamo Zagreb (also 14, but our numerical list tool can’t handle joint places)
- Chelsea (13)
- Atletico Madrid (12)
- Manchester United (11)
- Liverpool (10)
- Paris St-Germain (also 10)
- Sunderland (9)
- Barcelona (9)
Meanwhile, Pidde P’s effort, a new entry into the Swedish charts this week at No65, is very close to unforgivable. “I love to perform for kids and I love to play and watch soccer,” says Pidde P. “So why not combine the two?” Why not? This is why not:
There’s no sign of that song in the Swedish top 10, mind. This, though, is No5. Sample lyrics (translated online):
Everybody can get along
Everyone has to get along
There is no country that is better on earth
than the country where people dance on the table
Just how often do people dance on tables in Sweden? That’s got to be the big question. I didn’t realise it was a thing. However common it is, I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the effect of this super summer party anthem.
All the teams at the World Cup were asked to submit a “fan song”, an anthem that supporters would be particularly delighted to hear at happy moments during and after matches. England picked Three Lions (the 1998 World Cup version rather than the 1996 original, controversially). This, meanwhile, is the song they won’t want to be hearing after the final whistle on Saturday, Bäst när det gäller (Best When it Matters), Sweden’s official World Cup 2018 song:
France’s assistant coach, Guy Stephan, has been speaking about the team’s progress so far and about their next opponents, Uruguay:
“The group matches were laborious at times. But it must be understood that we came up against well organised opponents. We understand the desire for this French team to be successful, to score goals and be creative.”
Meanwhile, his assessment of Uruguay is thus: “They are a compact block, tightly aligned next to each other and with a massive solidarity.” So there you go.
Japan are the latest team to confirm a change of management after their elimination from the World Cup. This from Reuters:
Japan coach Akira Nishino will not be asked to continue in the role when his contract expires at the end of this month, the Japanese Football Association (JFA) and the manager said on Thursday.
Speaking as the squad returned to Tokyo following their World Cup last 16 defeat by Belgium, Nishino said this had always been the plan.
“My contract ends at the end of this month,” Nishino told reporters at Tokyo’s Narita airport. “And I have been working on the assumption that this job would last from the moment I was appointed to the end of the World Cup.”
The JFA said they will decide on Nishino’s successor by the end of the month.
Japan’s captain, Makoto Hasebe, who announced his retirement from the national team, said the team could reflect on the World Cup with pride.
“People had low expectations of us, and we talked about turning the situation around,” said Hasebe, who finishes with 114 caps for his country. “I think everyone became interested in soccer again, so in that way, I think we did a good job.”
Here’s Thomas Hitzlsperger on Benjamin Pavard:
I will never forget Benjamin Pavard’s debut for Stuttgart. It came on 3 October 2016, a few months after he had joined from Lille and at a time when everyone at the club was still getting used to life in the second division having been relegated from the Bundesliga the previous season.
We were playing SpVgg Greuther Fürth at home and it is no exaggeration to say Benjamin had a dream start to life in Germany. We won 4-0 and, as well as scoring our third goal, he set up the first, for Carlos Mané, with an incredible pass. Benjamin was stood at centre-back and played a perfectly-weighted ball right though midfield and practically on to Carlos’s toe. It was the type of pass you’d expected to see from an experienced playmaker, not a young defender, and as I watched from the stands I thought there was no way Benjamin could be that good. I was wrong.
More here:
Uruguay and France play in the first quarter-final tomorrow. The teams have met five times in the last 30 years, with the following results:
June 2002: France 0-0 Uruguay
November 2008: France 0-0 Uruguay
June 2010: France 0-0 Uruguay
August 2012: France 0-0 Uruguay
June 2013: Uruguay 1-0 France
This is not entirely promising. More pleasingly, their first three meetings (one in 1924, one in 1966 and one in 1985) featured 11 goals.
Topical anniversary dept: Exactly 36 years ago to the day, Italy beat Brazil 3-2 in what is considered one of the World Cup’s greatest matches. Here’s our match report, from Patrick Barclay:
Here are Falcão’s memories of the game:
And here are Jonathan Wilson’s tactical observations:
“Sweden are the world champions of team spirit”
Here are Sven-Goran Eriksson’s thoughts on the England match, courtesy of the Press Association (though the quotes are taken from today’s Mirror):
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson says Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Sweden will be “their most difficult game so far”.
The 70-year-old Swede, who led the Three Lions to the last eight of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, believes his home nation possess similar attributes to England’s Euro 2016 conquerors Iceland.
And Eriksson warned that Gareth Southgate’s side may have been better off facing tournament favourites Brazil rather than Sweden.
“England have a great chance to make a World Cup semi-final,” Eriksson said in quotes reported by the Mirror. “But, if anyone in the squad thinks they have an easy game on Saturday, they’re wrong. It’ll be the most difficult game they’ll have played so far, they can bet on that. It would be easier for England to beat Brazil than to beat Sweden, in my opinion.
“As a team, the way they work together, they are one of the best,” he added. “Sweden today are a very hard team to break down. Their strikers are defenders when it’s time to defend, and they can defend in their own box as well. You won’t find a better team - Sweden are world champions of team spirit.
“Harry Kane will be a tougher challenge than they’re used to, but Sweden won’t be impressed by Kane - or whoever is in the England team. Not at all. I can see a draw and extra-time. England have set-pieces, Sweden will make some chances, but the game will come down to luck - the team that makes the most of their luck will win. It will be very tight. Sweden’s defence is a great strength. Especially from set-pieces. Sweden are a tall team at the back and very well organised.”
This is cruel: Sweden’s Sportbladet ask English journalists (including our own Dominic Fifield) to identify members of their World Cup squad from photographs. They don’t do very well.
Morning/evening/whatever everyone! It seems like only yesterday that I was inserting into the liveblog pictures of the teams arriving in Russia. Here’s the Japan team arriving back in Tokyo today:
Some non-World Cup related admin to start: it’s today’s transfer rumours.
Updated
And on that note, I’ll hand over to London. It’s been fun. Until next time.
Updated
Trawling through old footage of England v Sweden games and it’s impossible to overlook this one. Stan Collymore was certainly quite enthused. “I’ve just seem the most insane goal I’ve ever seen on a football pitch!”
One man who’s not buying into all this New England/humility/work ethic stuff is former Sweden player Håkan Mild, who says: “They are spoilt kids who earn a lot of money. They don’t have the desperation [hunger] needed. It couldn’t be a better draw. They think they are so good but they are not.” Of course, there’s a chance Mild’s view of English players may still be clouded by this:
Tackling was never really Paul Scholes’s forte. Anyway, Daniel Taylor has more on the cautious optimism that is surrounding the England camp.
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Team news: we know what Dr Adil Rami thinks of Edinson Cavani’s chances, but what of Harry Kane, after he experienced some discomfort in his calf, and Jamie Vardy, who had to have a sugar injection in his groin after the game.
It’s been a veritable feast of back-slapping since the penalty hoodoo was broken – justifiably so, you might argue – and while Pickford was having praise heaped on him by Henderson and others, he and Gareth Southgate were quick to credit those working behind the scenes in the England camp. So who are they unsung heroes? Dominic Fifield has the answers:
An entire nation was thankful to Pickford once Eric Dier’s spot kick hit the back of the net in Moscow, but the importance of his shootout save was particularly important for one man: Jordan Henderson. Henderson, who missed his penalty and in doing so placed himself right in the firing line of the legendarily forgiving England public, clearly knew the potential consequences of his miss and said afterwards that he will be “forever in his debt”. To Henderson’s great credit, he’s also said he’d be up for taking another one, if it comes to that. Not sure everyone will be on the same page though.
Sizeable tenders are certainly a bonus if you ever find yourself in a position of having to take a penalty in a World Cup shootout. It’s not for nothing that the Japanese team didn’t bother practising taking them as a team, since it is impossible to recreate the pressure players feel in that situation. Some takers can handle it, some can’t. Some, of course, are just unlucky, or they come up against a quality keeper.
So to Jordan Pickford, who was England’s hero the other night with a big hand to deny Carlos Bacca. It’s been quite the rise to prominence over recent years for the 24-year-old. Louise Taylor charts his rise here:
Should we be preparing for more penalty shootout fun over the next two days or so? You wouldn’t bet against it. Uruguay haven’t yet had a chance to practise their spot kicks in a game, which is a surprising fact given the sheer number awarded so far, and might not be too enthused about the idea of their game against France going all the way. Antoine Griezmann, the French striker, has slotted two so far this tournament.
Paul Parker, the former England international, was on the pitch during the semi-final against West Germany in 1990 that went to a shootout. He’s remarkably honest about his feelings at that moment. “The first thing I was thinking was: ‘I hope I don’t have to take one.’ I was concerned with crossing the halfway line, never mind taking penalties, at that time.”
Sometimes an email lands in the inbox that you simply cannot argue with. This, from Shah Sahari, is one such email. “I keep reading about England’s ‘52 years of hurt’. Why 52? England won in 1966, so why would they be hurting between 1966 and 1970, when they relinquished the trophy. Shouldn’t it be 48 years of hurt? Or even 50, if you want to count the 1968 European championship, when England lost 1-0 to Yugoslavia in the semifinals? Thanks.” No, thank you Shah Sahari.
Hello. Sterling work of the non-Raheem variety from Naaman there. Mike here for the briefest of stints before handing over to London. Amid all this talk of shithousery (and we should be careful as it’s in real danger of becoming this World Cup’s most overused buzzword), it hasn’t been lost on Sweden that England player have been up to no good too. In particular, non-official shithouser-in-chief, Ashley Young, has been singled out as one to keep an eye on. “I know him well,” said Emil Krafth, who plays at Bologna. “I am a Manchester United supporter and I have seen him a lot. He is a good player, very fast, who likes to cut inside. We must do not do anything stupid with him inside the box.”
More from David Hytner here:
I’m going to hand over now to my esteemed colleague Mike Hytner. Thanks all for the great comments and the two or three good puns from a field of far, far too many.
I’ll leave you with this from Chris Oakley’s last chance saloon
@naamanzhou I missed the opportunity (while Japan were playing) to do my "Has Honda been recalled?" joke. Oh well, that was probably my last chance before he retires...
— Chris Oakley (@COakleyFtbl) July 5, 2018
And with this stat for Uruguay v France. Can’t wait. It’s gonna go off.
Ça s’annonce sympa tout ça. pic.twitter.com/JC1TuS5B71
— Fédé 🇫🇷 de la Lose (@FFLose) July 4, 2018
In the comments, I’d say that “organisation” has become the watchword. That fearsome Uruguay defence is dominating the analysis below the line.
Featherstone1 writes: “Unless France can sneak through an early goal via a mistake this is going to be an incredibly difficult task for them, and as the game wears on and they become increasingly desperate for a breakthrough they’ll undoubtedly become vulnerable to the Uruguayan counter.”
Obdulio agrees: “France so far played very well for, what, 20 minutes in the second half against anarchic Argentina. Uruguay will not give the French strikers space to run.”
It’s the same for those looking forward to Sweden v England. Organisation, organisation, organisation.
cantthinkofagoodname: “I think our lack of a creative midfielder could really hurt England against a well organised Sweden. They won’t make idiotic challenges on Kane like previous opponents.”
Heliopower, the lone voice of dissent: “England are just as well organised as Sweden. Let us not get overcome by this idea that Sweden are somehow a super organised team. Solid yes - but not without flaws.”
Before we dive into the comments – which I will round up in a sec – let’s hear from the fans. This great piece rounds up all eight of our quarter finalists. It’s a great precis of each team, and a distillation of how they’re seen at home. I’ll start with tomorrow’s four teams.
Belgium: “Roberto Martínez is delivering exactly what he promised: exciting but sometimes gung-ho football. It’s the total opposite of the rather dull and cautious football served by his predecessor, Marc Wilmots.”
Brazil: “Neymar’s antics attract all the attention but the defining statistic is that Brazil have only conceded six goals in 25 matches under Tite. Belgium are the team that can hurt us the most, with Eden Hazard and Dries Mertens running at our full-backs.”
France: “I’m pretty sure we can win this tournament. The toughest challenge will be the quarter-final against Uruguay. We have nothing to fear from the other teams.”
Uruguay: “We’ve look well prepared for this tournament. A lot of thought has been put into teamwork and understanding among the players. They have left everything on the pitch and played with a lot of “garra charrua,” a term used in Uruguay to describe effort.”
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Thanks to Peter Oh for the first “It’s coming home” email – and hey, it’s actually funny and bearable. “Hi Naaman,” he writes. “It’s coming home? I see England’s point (inventors of football ‘n all), but if home is a place of familiarity, a place of comfort, wouldn’t the World Cup be coming home to Brazil? It’s been there five times.”
Ooft. As an Australian, I personally believe football will truly “come home” in 2034 – when Daniel Arzani, aged 37, fires home the winner in the 90th minute of the final, watched over by the smiling, nodding face of super-coach Tim Cahill, aged 163.
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The puns have begun. Below the line, socraticperms has got a pearler: “With all his histrionics, Neymar is becoming a regular Brasil Fawlty.”
BradGoodman writes: “When Colombia scored their last minute equaliser my friend turned to me and said ,‘they would’ve gotten away with it too if it wasn’t for those Medellin kids’.” Cheers Brad, no “shame spiral” for you.
And not a pun, but one for the Australians: “I hope someone takes Neymar aside and tell him he’s missed this years Logies.” Thanks kejovi. Eases the pain.
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Sorry to burst everyone’s bubble but ... that photo doing the rounds of Japan’s spotless dressing room after the Belgium game?
Japan soccer players didn't clean the changing rooms, the staff did, captain confirms in post-World Cup press conference #JPN pic.twitter.com/azJCHt4J7M
— Alastair Gale (@AlastairGale) July 5, 2018
THE WORLD EFFUSIVELY PRAISED JAPAN'S PLAYERS NONSTOP FOR DAYS AFTER A VIRAL PHOTO OF A CLEAN LOCKER ROOM. YOU'LL NEVER BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED NEXT: https://t.co/ZDWFUjSnHh
— Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) July 5, 2018
So it’s cheers to the cleaners, rather than the memers.
Imagine, in the following video, that there’s a big label above Alisson that says “ME” and a label over the ball that says “THIS STORY”.
Alisson is life. The ball is my dreams. pic.twitter.com/yWra2xAMPp
— André Noruega (@AndreOstgaard) June 17, 2018
Jorge Valdano writing on Kylian Mbappé? Bloody hell, you better read it.
“Football is a very serious game but it is full of people doing all they can to make idiots of footballers. Mbappé, in this year of adaptation to his price and the expectations placed upon him, played well and played OK (he doesn’t know how to play badly). He also saw team-mates of the level of Edinson Cavani and Neymar from up close. A fine education, if you know how to see it, how to look for the right lessons.
“If a player so young can come out of that cocktail of experiences alive, he is a phenomenon, not just once but twice: for his talent and for his maturity.”
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Jan Müller has emailed in with this fascinating tidbit: “As we get to read a lot about World Cup statistics lately, I wondered which nations are the most successful in World Cup history in relation to the size of their population.
“I did some basic math and the results are quite astonishing: Uruguay is leading the pack by a large margin in all 3 categories of World Cups won, total games played and games won. Sweden, Croatia and Belgium are in the top 5 of games won and Sweden and Croatia also are in the top 4 of games played.
“So, this year’s quarterfinals are packed with historically overperforming teams. And none of them is called Brazil, England or France. Following the logic of the population size based ratio of World Cup performances this year’s semifinal pairings will be: Uruguay vs Belgium and Croatia vs Sweden. Let that sink in for a minute... Go Uruguay! and greetings from New York.”
In the comments, Orlando98 echoes Jan’s sentiments: “I want a Uruguay-Croatia final. Two tiny wee nations punching incredulously above their weight both in terms of performance and also in terms of how many amazing players they produced. Scotland take note.”
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It’s coming home, etc. etc. Official word from Twitter HQ – there have been half a million mentions of “It’s coming home” in the last 24 hours.
Cultural significance of #ENG R16 VS #COL: UK audience (TV, net & pubs) bigger than "Who Shot JR?" episode of Dallas (1980); than Scott & Charlene's Wedding (1988); and than biggest Fools & Horses Xmas special (1996).
— Nick Harris (@sportingintel) July 4, 2018
LAST 16!
In era when no-one watches TV!
And let’s not forget that monster ratings news, with 24 million English TV sets tuning in to watch the historic shoot out. That’s enough to wallop the London Olympics closing ceremony, and dethrone the royal wedding.
Tactics time. Here’s Jonathan Wilson on the early exits of Spain and Germany, and what makes the World Cup so unpredictable.
“Over the past four decades, as club football has become increasingly sophisticated, international football has looked a make-do-and-mend botch job by comparison. That is part of its charm: it’s arguably a greater test of coaching to find a way to cope with a long-term dearth of, say, left-wingers than simply going out and buying one, while the lack of preparation time perhaps introduces a greater element of randomness than is present in the club game.”
And here’s Stuart James on what Roberto Martínez has to do after Belgium scraped past Japan. Drop Yannick Carrasco? Start Marouane Fellaini? I think we all agree he has to do something.
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Below the line, chobbes writes: “Can we make today all about puns, like ‘those Swedes have been a real turnip for the books this World Cup’, or ‘Russia have taken all the right steppes so far’.”
I usually detest puns, but promise I will put the best (only the best!) ones from the comments up here. It’s punning home? I hate this already.
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Here’s how we see the teams shaping up. Brazil are still favourites, but France have shot up the rankings with enough speed to attract a shove in the back from Marcos Rojo. Nick Ames’s analysis makes both teams favourites to progress against Uruguay (fourth) and Belgium (fifth). Read on below:
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Something to get the conversation started – this piece from Stuart James has clearly struck a chord as we try and digest how to live in this brave new VAR-heavy world.
“Everyone’s at it now, including – and let’s not kid ourselves – England players,” he writes. “‘Shithousery” is the word that gets bandied around these days. Others will know it simply as cheating and, sadly, it’s the one cloud that hangs over an otherwise brilliant World Cup in Russia.”
But of course, there’s the argument that we’re not seeing elevated levels of shithousery, but it just stands out when everything else has been so heavily policed by VAR.
My impression is this World Cup really hasn’t been that bad in terms of play-acting? Struggling to remember any penalties awarded for clear dives (such as Michael Owen’s vs Argentina 2002 for example). Could it in fact be getting better, perhaps helped by VAR? https://t.co/mt6JWxCxKm
— ⚽️ is a Country (@FutbolsaCountry) July 5, 2018
What do you think? Email, tweet or have a go in the comments.
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Look away Uruguay fans. The latest Cavani injury news is not good. French defender Adil Rami – admittedly, no doctor – has declared that the Uruguayan striker will have to “destroy medical science” if he wants to be fit for tomorrow’s clash with France.
The two-goal hero suffered a hamstring injury in his personal demolition of Portugal, and sat out training yesterday.
“I had the same kind of injury and it took time,” Rami told Omnisport. “So if he plays against us, he’ll have destroyed science, so stop making us believe that he’ll play against us. Unfortunately, one man’s loss is another man’s gain.”
It’s a shame, given what a joy Cavani was to watch in the last 16. No shade on Rami, but it should be mentioned for balance that he will of course have to “destroy” the two or three better defenders ahead of him in the squad to also have a chance of starting.
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Preamble
And breathe. Here we are. The rest day after the rest day, which if scenes from London are to be believed, wasn’t really a rest day at all.
Yes, the round of 16 was fantastic. But the quarter finals start tomorrow, so update that wallchart, eye up the Swedish defence, and shed a tear for James Rodriguez. Can we make this blog anything other than thousands upon thousands of “It’s coming home” memes? I will do it or die trying.
Anyway, there’s plenty to ponder. Uruguay v France looks fascinating, and Brazil v Belgium looks a cracker, so we can start the build-up today – a 24 hour, simmering build up slower than Spain against Russia. Am I the Isco of the liveblog team, or the Vladimir Granat (75 minutes, 5 passes attempted, none completed)? Sound off in the comments.
We’ll cover the pressing questions of the day. How is Edinson Cavani’s hamstring? How will Roberto Martinez tweak his tactics? How many times can you say “It’s coming home” before I start filtering it out of my email inbox completely?
As always get in touch! On email (naaman.zhou@theguardian.com) or Twitter (@naamanzhou), or below the line. Meanwhile, you could do worse than sign up for the World Cup Fiver – all the cool kids are doing it.
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