Euro 2020 — Day 3

Morning all. Great to hear that Christian is doing well and recovering. Hopefully the feeling of one ness that this horrible event engendered in the footballing community will continue this afternoon and there will be no booing should players opt to take the knee.

Just read he's messaged his Denmark team mates Stephen, so hopefully he's on the mend.

I'm taking the plunge and going to watch England in a west London pub. Not usually a pleasant experience.

When it comes to international, I'm a neutral. I do think England have a chance and I always like watching Croatia, so with focus on the football, hopefully this will be a good one.

Good to hear that, Danny. I'm aging and well overweight, it kind of makes you think about your own mortality doesn't it. I mean if it can happen to him?

Watched Italy and Belgium looking pretty awesome so don't hold out alot of hope for England's chances long term. Lukaku has morphed into a beast of a man, virtually unstoppable if the mood takes him.

The dawn of a new dawn with another golden generation?

Or the usual?

Had a little "interest" bet on England because, despite the suspect defence, I think they have a fantastic group of youngsters. But I'm finding it so hard to get excited about the team representing this nation.

Looking forward to a good game of football, but I have no nerves at all. I'm so indifferent to the entire England set-up. I would be happy for the best team to win.

Looking forward to seeing Kramaric. I thought Leicester were a bit hasty letting their record signing at the time go. He's a lot better than he showed them.

The biggest result this tournament could have had was the one the medical team had when pulling Eriksen back last night.

Good luck England.

I'm a rare breed - an Evertonian who likes England and always wants them to win.

I worry about that defence though and the QF's will be a good achievement.

Sterling...Ffs.
He'll dance around innefectively like he usually does looking for a penalty, refuse to take the easy pass and miss his usual bag of sitters.

Kane will be forced deep to go looking for the ball, attack will be ineffective and Grealish will be pulling his hair out on the bench.

Bookies will be made up if England win today. The short-term loss leads to the long-term gain for them. Every time.

Trippier at left back is a bit weird. I might be being a bit thick, but I need that one explaining to me when Shaw and Chillwell are on the bench.

Also, a manager who can't find room for Grealish in his team at this particular moment in time, but can find a place for Sterling, is a very brave lad.

Brave doesn't come into it, Michael. He's a numpty with a negative mindset. I hope I'm wrong but Croatia are no mugs, they will attack Trippier all day down the left.

A right-back at left-back with 2 natural left-backs on the bench is madness.

Football's Coming Home" has to be the stupidest piece of jingoistic shite ever spouted by our beloved image-makers.

But they just love wallowing in nostalgic self-pity...

Pickford starts but Calvert-Lewin on the bench. ,"Football's Coming Home" has to be the stupidest piece of jingoistic shite ever spouted by our beloved image-makers.

But they just love wallowing in nostalgic self-pity...

Pickford starts but Calvert-Lewin on the bench. ,,,1,13:21:57,,86.155.244.161,ok,175,06/13/2021 13:21:57,michael.kenrick@gmail.com,admin,,,no 1164770,40915,toffeeweb,13/06/2021,David Israel,aburma1@yahoo.co.uk,Derek # 91 I myself shall be writing to my MP!,Derek # 91 I myself shall be writing to my MP!,,,1,13:22:12,,188.83.250.230,ok,6936,06/13/2021 13:22:12,aburma1@yahoo.co.uk,reader,,,no 1164771,40917,toffeeweb,13/06/2021,Robert Tressell,tpebarton@gmail.com,"That Southgate line up completely hands the initiative to a fading Croatia. Over complicating things by putting Trippier at LB, two sitting midfielders when one will do and the lack of a wonderful Grealish, someone who has the skill and courage for this stage

That Southgate line up completely hands the initiative to a fading Croatia. Over complicating things by putting Trippier at LB, two sitting midfielders when one will do and the lack of a wonderful Grealish, someone who has the skill and courage for this stage

55 years of hurt, Michael.

Have a heart.

Just back from bookies.

Croatia £10 win, daft not to at 9/2.

£5 Croatia/draw

£5 Perisic first scorer

Wife has broke the bank with £2 England to win 2-1

Has the look of a team selection not to lose the game more than to go and win it.

Darren #5, well said sir, this tournament is already a success based upon that, they did a fantastic job – as did his team mates.

I knew it was a bad move to watch England in a London pub.

I should know better.

"Here we go" as they say. Looking forward to the match.

Michael,

Saddest is part is we had a nostalgic song about 30 years of failure; now we've got a further 25 years of nostalgia surrounding the failure song in itself. It's kind of like when The Two Ronnies were on for about 15 years after which they had a highlight show: “20 Years of The Two Ronnies” which then ran for about 20 years.

At some point, let it go.

I'm becoming a fan of Phillips

Kieran he's a top player who'd get a lot more attention if he was certain other clubs.

I'd take him in a hearbeat

I like Phillip's aggression, looks a bit slow though.

They had kilbane on the pre game show here. To say he is not a fan of Pickford is an understatement. It was really strange with the amount of negative comments he had about him.

Modric best player on the pitch first half

Craig, where is here?

Started okay but going through the motions at times. If they up the tempo they win.

A guy asked me this morning while walking the dog if I'd be watching the match
Only if it's raining I said, otherwise I'm in the garden with a case of beer
Thankfully it's not raining!
Seems I've missed nothing
Might go in and watch if DCL comes on then again might not

What I love about these tournament threads is the number of people who take time out of their days to tell us they won't be watching England

Typical England, look good at high tempo but the showboaters start taking over slowing the game passing back rather than forward. Worst culprits are the City contingent.

Good goal, good goal.

Probably the wrong people to ask this, but why is the capacity at Wembley restricted to 22.5K, or 25% of the maximum capacity, yet the cricket between England and New Zealand, held at Edgbaston in Birmingham, was allowed 18K fans, or roughly between 68% - 70% of the maximum capacity. Edgbaston has a capacity of 25K. Great to see so many fans being allowed back, both in football and cricket, with a great atmosphere for the first three days in the cricket.

Michael

How the heck is my ESPN about three minutes behind. Nice goal though

That's was a nice move of almost scintillating forward pace and movement. All this farting about with the ball for the rest of the game is so unproductive.

Rob

Because the hooray Henry Tories prefer cricket. If it was polo there would be no cap on attendance

Sorry, Kieran. I shall restrain myself, should there be another occasion!

Kane looks very lethargic

Rob it's because the Edgbaston test was a pilot event trialling a larger crowd.

There was a 25% limit at Lords for the 1st Test

Time for Dominic to show his mettle.

Michael

I remember a young Everton striker making his Mark in 86.

Boom. Love the dudes rolling on the tarp, too funny. Just realized we're watching on delay, about 13 minutes behind. 😂

I think anything that reduces the number of Ing er lund fans congregating in one place is a jolly good thing

Cheers Andrew. Let's hope that we can get back to full capacities everywhere soon. Think I also read somewhere that Wembley could have up to 50% capacity for the knockout games, so about 45K.

Denmark's doctor just confirmed Eriksen had a heart attack. Frightening. Young healthy man.

Vlasic coming on, let him go to soon, better than anything we have in midfield.

Jeff

Did you see his agent speculating he may return to Everton on a buy back clause?

Read a bizarre statement today, if England use all 5 subs today they will have used more players in the opening game than Alf Ramsey used in the 1966 tournament

Kieran -

It's just shocking. We're talking about a professional athlete in supreme physical condition, and a relatively young man.

Thank God he's alive.

Rob they're hoping for 50% for the knockout games and a full house for the final but I suspect Boris will jeopardise that tomorrow

Nowt to do with your fucken jealous god, Crowley.

It was them brilliant human medics what saved him.

Didn't see that Kieran, but it's ridiculous we let him go, given what we have now.

Oh-oh... no Dom. Some young buck instead, who can probably hit the ball straight and true.

Bellingham has nerves of steel. 17 y/o leaves Brum for Deutschland. Nothing seems to phase him

I was wrong, here he comes...!!!!

And he didn't even get a touch.

Some nice moments but Kane looks unfit, attack was disjointed. Good result against a fading great

Decent perform there. Didn't get Kane involved enough and we'll struggle to score against better opposition.

But a decent performance to start the tournament.

Phillips was excellent, motm.

Michael,

Yes he did.

Haha Michael. I respectfully disagree, but you're correct in one aspect.

Those medics, the team captain for Denmark, even Anthony Taylor the ref, they all were on point and helped save the kid's life. No question.

Good game by England. They look very, very good in my opinion. I actually think they could win it all. But then again as they progress the English press will heap tons of pressure on the squad, and probably squash any chance of success.

Jenas joining the ever-growing list of pundits trying to undermine Pickford, even when he's had nothing to do in the match, I paraphrase"He plays well for England but isn't that great at his club", obviously, Jenas hasn't seen the improvement that Jordan has made at Everton since around February.

Didnt see anything that suggests England could win the tournament.

Bookies have though.
Price down as low as 9/2 in places.

Roll up, roll up.
Its coming home, its coming home.

I'm going to study the rest of this tournament if only to see if there is a worse passer in the competition than Kyle Walker.

Defended well, but I have never seen anybody pass a ball so badly not even on Sunday Mornings.

Probably our next signing.

The early birds got 6/1 for Ingurland.

Danny (#17), it's a bad idea to be in a London pub for anything!

And Michael (#31), fully agree. The amount of sideways and backward passing is death to football. Jeez, even in time added on Croatia were still intent on such fannying about.

My Wolves-supporting second-cousin, twice-removed (c/o Rampton "hospital" mind you) assures me that Nuno has it in him to become an attacking wizard providing all his players become fluent in Portuguese.

Porro!

Backing England to win the tournament at either 9/2 or 6/1 gets you the same return Darren.

Bookies clean up every tournament using the same methodology where the England team is concerned.

Enjoy your pint Danny, I can't understand anyone who doesn't like London, Don, because our capital city, is one of the greatest places in the world imo mate!

I hope your second cousin is also correct Don, and also have a bit more faith now because there are probably more geniuses in Rampton, than anywhere else in the country, and if Everton was a human being, I'm sure they'd have been sectioned years ago!

If Kyle Walker wasn't such an athlete Darren, I'd say he would probably struggle in league one?

The 6/1 I took was for the 1-0 victory today.

As it was also a "free" bet I can enjoy a rare victory over the bookies. No matter how The team do in the tournament I wont be losing.

The bookies will have to wait for the racing before they claim back their losses from me...Unfortunately thats another one of those forgone conclusions.

Tony

He`s an appalling footballer, but credit where its due. He is a marvelous example of how far hard work dedication and athleticism can take you

Thomas? You mean you get nothing. Probably right.

If England cant get Kane involved they haven't a chance.

Good for you Darren.

You posted on Friday "my money is on England to win it"

I presumed you had backed them to win the tournament.

Did you?

David @24. Toronto

I thought all the officials in yesterdays second match were superb,so glad Erickson is on the mend too...great news.

Great header by Moore for the Welsh lads, reminded me of Big Dunc's verses manure.

The England game looked like a friendly, good goal mind and Phillips and Ming's played well.

As for Croatia...so poor.

Hahah fucking Pandev scores from a blunder. Come on you Northies

Got 5/1 to win the tournament outright and 6/1 for them to win 1-0 today.

Over the years, I've come to understand its just a loan

Austria, a bit like the Swiss in these tournaments,a bit beige.

Walker did give the ball away alot today but then lots of players do. Bit harsh to call him an appalling footballer when Guardiola picks him most weeks. He must have something.

Agree Darren, hard work, application, dedication, and making the best out of himself, are brilliant attributes, and Kyle Walker is simply a defensive machine, which just goes to show how little of the beautiful game is about skill, talent or even natural ability, especially in England, where speed and power are king, and also why he his probably always one of the first names on Guardiola's team sheet Anthony A!

Stop thinking it's a loan Darren, turn it into a tonny!

Anthony

Same man claims Guardiola wanted to buy Holgate ahead of Dias. Maybe Pep likes “appalling” players

Let's see how England get on verses Scotland,that will be a real tester... personally,I love the same scoreline as in '77.

Still to this day,it remains the second most beautiful international match I ever saw!.

Vlasic's agent was asked about the lad, one question being about his former Club Everton.

Quoted, “Everton has not contacted me about Nikola, and this is not a question at the moment. But who knows what the future holds. Everything is possible”

Which quote was converted into a fairly impressive variety of internet clickbait:

"Nikola Vlasic agent sends Everton message as return rumours increase"

"The Toffees let go of Croatian attacking player Nikola Vlasic two years ago but after his impressive displays in Russia over the last two years, they're considering a return to Goodison Park"

"Now, according to reports in Russia, Everton are keen on bringing Vlasic back through a clause in his contract that gives the Toffees first refusal on any transfer for the player."

"Agent of Nikola Vlasic refuses to rule out Everton return"

Pretty impressive.

If the boy comes back to the EPL at all, it won't be Everton. He couldn't wait to leave. We made a little money selling him. That's it.

Mathew 74

The auld enemy clash is the nearest thing internationally to the merseyside derby with Scotland being Everton. England aren't great but Scotland are absolutely dire and will be 10 nil down after 3 mins.

I was watching the game with only one eye open -- it was 7am here and I had a late night -- so I didn't even notice when Vlasic subbed on. Did he have any impact?

Just reading now from the account of the Danish doctor that Eriksen went into full cardiac arrest after he reached him. The chest compressions kept on until the defibrillator shocked him back to life. You could see the shock being administered between the legs of the Danish players. Only a few years ago, those machines were not standard equipment at matches. I think the Muamba incident changed that picture. Being fully prepared yesterday was what saved Eriksen's life. Whew.

I didn't know Tom Davies was Austrian but there he is playing midfield for them with his blond man-bun tied masterfully.

Fair play to Southgate, he called it just about right today in the end, with Phillips playing an absolute blinder in a more attacking midfield role than we're used to seeing him in. Turned out that was the bigger surprise than picking Trippier, and it probably won us the game.

Generally, I thought we played like a better quality version of Everton - loads of aimless passing it around, lots of turning back in the opposition half and passing to our defenders, and some very slow build-up. But it worked against a solid if unspectacular Croatia.

Pleased for Sterling to get a goal on his home turf, and I hope Bellingham gets more game time - he looks like he might be a future great.

Macedonia love a bit of match fixing. Wonder about that last goal. Same goalie was was accused of match fixing in the 4-0 loss to Armenia.

Barry #76... Doubtful that one Barry,think it will be a tight game...but if the Jocks do win I can't see Wembley being dismantled after the final whistle...sadly.

Hey, looks like our old friend Stek is starting for the Netherlands!

Somebody get hurt or come up with a positive COVID test?

Mike, you beat me to it, I was about to post this tweet.

When Stekelenburg made his debut, his Dutch team-mate Jurriën Timber was just one year old - how's that for staying power?

Yep, Barry, he's the Dutch answer to a redwood tree.

Especially going down for a shot.

(Just kidding. Sorta.)

I'm also looking forward to seeing Dumfries, our rumored new right back. Haven't watched him before.

Kieran # 80 ] The ITV commentator described North Macedonia as “Plucky”.
I wondered if that would make them the Everton of the tournament. Then I watched their players work their bollocks off for 90 mins and realised they are nothing like us.

Mike @85
It's only a pity that North Macedonia, didn't have some added quality as they gave it a right good go, I feared that they'd be on the end of 4 or 5 in the last 10 minutes or so, as it was 3-1 flattered the Austrians somewhat.

Yeah Pep picks Walker for his footballing skills...Sigh.

By the way. Anybody who claims they have seen me mention Dias on this site. Is simply making shite up.

I guess its going to take a while for the bruised egos to recover

Barry, gotta disagree with you there... I thought the Austrians were fully worth 3-1. Lainer's finish was excellent (MOTM for me, wonder if we've ever considered him for RB), and Alaba's pass for the gamewinner was simply elegant. By contrast Pandev's goal was nothing more than an enjoyable accident, and that side didn't threaten much otherwise, despite all the good effort from the Leeds guy.

I remember when we were rumored interested in DePay a few years back and I said I didn't want him.

I wish to state for the record that I was an idiot.

That Dutch keeper looks familiar

Early days but Dumfries looks pretty tidy.

Got a game on here with the dutch playing old time footy trying to score every time they have possession. Shocked tbh

Very tidy, Andrew. Now everyone will be after him.

That is what I thought, so typical.

Old time footy sounds good Barry, because the more I watch football, the more I yearn for some old fashioned - forward movement - aggressive one-two's, instead of 20 passes that eventually end up where the first pass started from.

Mykelenko, left foot, fast. Come on down!

OK Darren you know better than Pep, Walker is an appalling footballer with nearly 60 England caps and a
various selection of winners medals, maybe Pep and England managers just pick him because he's got nice tattoos.
Sigh...

Anthony A.
Walker is still playing for City only because they can't afford anybody else. So hard up they must be.

Dumfries looks a heck of a player.

Walker can run fast and defend, didn't have the best game today but he's up there. Not as good as Gary Stevens of course. He is a natural athlete. Even though l love Seamus it always amazes me how weird he looks running.

England deserved the win. I thought they'd burnt out after the fast start, but over the 90, they were the better team and always looked the most likely to win.

Great move for the goal and you could see the space opening up as they moved forward. I can't explain, but I called it as I watched it. You can always sense / see those things.

Croatia have some good players but they looked nervous at the back and had no threat up front. Good midfield though.

Modric is absolute quality. Forden is going to be some player. And well played Pickford. Good to see him reading the game and being off his line quickly commanding his box. On more than one occasion, his defenders created a scenario that could have led to a goal had he not been alert and active.

Dumfries looks fast and very impressed with his awareness of what's going on around him when defending and his ability to step over and cover another defender.

Dumfries misses a sitter

Absolute shite and Championship player at best. What's Brands playing at looking at him?

Touche, Fran. 😅

Dumfries just missed absolute sitter. Looks pretty good otherwise, involved alot.

Dumfries looks decent, some good Scottish full backs out there these days. Would have worked well in tandem with Brendan Galloway

If the Dutch push forward much more chasing a winner Ukraine are going to nick it on the counter. The Dutch are playing like Mexico or Portugal pre Ronaldo, lots of nice play and attack minded but no end product.

Dumfries getting up the field well but, in this match at least, the end product just isn't there and that header he was completely unmarked. An international that misses an unmarked header from a few yards out?. Nah.

Fran, made me laugh.

I like this guy Dumfries a LOT. So much pace, yet sooooo smooth when he runs. In rhythm, like a dancer. Tremendous physical talent. His crosses go into good places and his passing is accurate. He's also surprisingly good fundamentally as a defender. Takes intelligent positions, reacts well, head on a swivel. Haven't seen him tackle yet.

Of course, his finishing totally sucks. But you can see why he scores a goal every seven games for PSV -- he gets into great positions. And besides that's not what we're getting him for.

If the rumors are true, I'm one happy boy. Yes, sign him.

The Dutch finally figured out how to crack Ukraine's defence. Must have been on the phone with Putin at half time

If we want a full back who gets us up the pitch, he looks good.

This one might get ruled out but he impacted the passage of play that led to a goal.

Tony # 95 fitness levels and various other things seems to have removed a lot of the artists from the game. I'm looking for playmakers and dribblers but very few and far between. Modric is the classiest player I've seen so far and Belgium the classiest side.

Dumfries sure does make good things happen. Twice in just a few minutes.

I like Ali McCoist but "yeah, he's onside, that would explain it" as to why the goal was given.

Just pay me.

I hope Brands got a signature and agreed fee before this game, Dumfries probably just added 10mil to his price.

Southgate is fortunate in having the best pool of young English talent to pick from in many years and this coupled with some experienced older heads should help him get this squad to the final if used the right way. If he doesn't then he should resign.
I question why he should not start Grealish who really makes things happen and the fact that they have won the last three recent games by only 1-0. This may not be enough against the other favourites.

Love to have got Dumfries, but the deal should have been done before the tournament, surely if we rate him he needed to be tied up before everyone else realises he is decent, again we never do business early, we are so behind the eight ball, so amateur, so Kenwright.

Similar to when we wanted Mina but waited till after the World Cup and he'd gone from £20m to £28m after some strong performances for Colombia

Modric is a joy to watch Robert @112. He was today.

What a goal from Yarmalenko.

Jeff have you EVER posted anything positive, EVER?

Dumfries looks like a physical player who is intelligent enough to pick up good positions and do simple things well. A few of the other RBs we've been linked with look like better natural footballers but Dumfries could well be a good signing.

Yarmo. Another guy I didn't want. Of course I was right. But that is one HELL of a goal.

Great goal by Yarmalenko, (just for you Brian.)

Wow.

Unbelievable collapse by Holland.

De Boer is gonna get battered for this. 2-0 up, in control, changed the defense with 2 subs.

Shocking.

Still time for a Ukraine winner

Yes Robert, the players who love the ball do seem to be few and far between now mate, but coaching is different now, a lot of it is about the big diagonal switch, and less about the little give and go.

I started watching the game and the first thing I thought when watching it, was that Liverpool have let the little Dutch midfielder go on a free, but Everton would have probably given him a four year contract, unless he his asking for an absolute fortune (which he must be) because you don't normally let players like that leave for nothing.

Agree Robert, very athletic as well.

Weghorst anyone? Looks like a proper handful and traditional striker.

This is so Holland!! I always want them to do well. Great game to watch though.

Pat Kelly says Holland is still in this.

Have we signed him?

Another good goal

Dumfries. Boom

Well he ain't signing for us anymore

Who's the idiot who said Dumfries couldn't finish?

Oh wait, that was me.

We can't afford him anymore.

Break the bank for that Dumfries just what we need on the right He's missed a couple but in gets in the positions.Good game this

Mike, Looking at your post #133 and watching the match and a bit confused by your comment :-) Now realise, I am watching on the plus 1 channel, an hour behind and Dumfries has just missed a header at 0-0. I see it's 3-2 so may as well stick with my Plus 1 and watch out for Dumfries.

Great game of football. Really enjoyed that.

Fifteen minutes ago, he was part of a Dutch defence that threw away a two goal lead, so I imagine the thought then was that no other club wanted him, he must be shite. Suddenly he scores a goal, then all of a sudden we can't afford him, he's going to Barcelona Real Madrid, Man city or wherever, all because he's scored a goal!!

Thing is Dumfries just played as a wing back with freedom of the right side. It was 1 game. We don't know how he would do in the fast paced prem. Oh but l would still hope Brands already had some contact. I'm guessing again we have 2 players from Brands and 2 from Mendes

That made me chuckle Rob.

Taking the goal out of it, I like the look of him. First time I've watched him in honesty.

I know its hard to judge on one match, but looks more of a wing back than a defensive full back, so for those who want a Tony Hibbert, he's not your man. I like what I saw though.

Just on the criticism on the Goalkeeper for the 3rd Dutch goal, I'm going to defend him. Yes, he gets a hand to it, but if you look, there is a wicked spin on that header so it's always going away from him.

Jeff 117

Haaaa haha thanks for that. We haven't signed Dumfries yet because of Kenwright. Classic. I can always guarentee laugh or 10 on tw

BK is still in mourning for missing out on his beloved David and Roberto. Let the poor man weep in peace.

I liked the look of the Ukraine #9. Tall, strong on the ball, mobile and made good use of it and took his header really well.

Early days but it's been a decent tournament so far, good end to end games today so hopefully more good entertainment and great goals to come.

For me today the Austrian first goal and Yarmalemkos, stood out.

Let's see if Everton announce a new manager this week and things can only get better.

Colin,

BKs fav Davie Moyes always warned about buying players from major tournaments. ie Besic, and remember how good El Hadji Diouf looked for Senegal?

Rob 137

A goal makes all the difference to Evertonians. Wasn't it one goal against Bulgaria that sold us on Amokachi?

Paul

I agree. The only negative is there haven't been any surprises it's all gone to form other than the one game where I don't think anyone much cared about the result in the circumstances. Hopefully Sweden and Hungary can rock the boat in the next few days

Don't remember that, kieran, but jeez, I remember us signing Bernie the Bolt because he scored a last minute goal for Walsall against us in the cup. Embarrassing signing that one.

Mickey Walsh we signed because of his goal of the season or was it month for Blackpool - not one of our better signings. I bet there's loads that Everton have signed because of one moment of brilliance.

France v Germany on Tuesday.

Now take that for an opening fixture!!

My favourites to win, France against a Germany team I consider to be in transition but then my son showed me their squad.

Gundugan an Tony Kroos in midfield.

That will be an interesting one.

Misses a 4yrd sitter and scores a cracker from the edge of the box yeah he's got Everton written all over him that Denzel lad!.

Looked like a pretty blunt instrument otherwise to me. He knew he was stood in the wrong place for that 2nd goal and Depay telling him to stop pleading his innocence, to the ref, and do one was funny!.

Danny

That group may come to down goal difference v Hungary. I can see the other three each winning and losing one among themselves

Richy playing as the central attacker for Brazil tonight v Venezuela in the opening game of the Copa America,
with Neymar and Jesus either side of him.

Put clean through by Neymar, bad 1st touch blew a glorious chance. From a Neymar corner Richy's head on fell to Marquinas who forced home a scrappy goal.

Another through ball by Neymar, one touch finish by Richy, correctly overturned by VAR for offside. Almost got in for another lobbing the keeper but cleared by a defender. Richy offside again any way.

Only once in their entire history have Venezuela ever beaten Brazil and ravaged as they are pre-match with 13 players and trainers testing positive for CV-19 it will be a major shock if they get anything from the game.

All Copa America games free to watch on BBC's iPlayer for those of you in the UK or those with a VPN to get around it.

Colombia and Mina v Ecuador follows the Brazil game.

Jesus at his right hand, the Holy Spirit coming to his club. Rich has powerful friends

Jay

Didn't the Venezuelans have 12 Covid positives today?

Thanks for the tip Jay

Agree Kieran. Going to be a tight group.

Thanks for the tip Jay - didn't realise that one. Got it on now!!

The mystery has gone from this Brasil team. I fell in love with football initially, not because of Everton but because of Brasil in the 1982 world cup. Especially Eder. What a left foot he had.

Richarlison off. Might as well turn it off!

Rob, we can continue scouting for the blues.

Great seeing how Brazil like to mix it. Saw a move earlier where they played some great intricate stuff in tight spaces. But then not averse to going direct and long when it's an option.

Watching them stroke it around at the back is very Pep / City like. It would give us kittens as they say. But patience and knowing when to go forward. But when you do, do so with intent.

Got to disagree with you there Danny and agree with David. There is no magic in the current Brazil side. A very ordinary team.

I've watched every minute of their last 3 games this past week - the two World Cup Qualifiers and now this - and all three were dull and tedious.

The coach Tite did a great job when he took over half way through the previous WC qualifying campaign when they were struggling and they had a good WC in Russia, as well as securing the last Copa America again held in Brazil. But now they are merely a functional side rather than an exhilarating one.

I accept, like with many elite footballers across the globe being asked to play international continental competitions and the Olympics, that many of them simply need a break from football having been 'on' for pretty much two years non-stop since the advent of the pandemic. The quality and energy levels are lacking in many games I feel now. And I'm talking all teams and all competitions.

For the Brazilians, you can also throw in that the entire squad is not comfortable with the decision to play the Copa America in Brazil at this time. A real conflict of emotions.

Fair points Jay and I am only commenting on what I saw tonight. I didn't mean to suggest they were the Brazil we all grew up knowing and loving, more commenting on the tactics.

Whenever we watch Brazil, we want (almost expect) them to be the team we all grew up wanting to be and aspire to.

I thought the Euros were diluted but I see Copa America is “high stakes” as after the lengthy group stage ONLY 80 percent of the teams progress to the next round. Why don't they just tell Venezuela to join CONCACAF, have Peru in a playoff with Bolivia and start at the quarter finals?

It's dull too as the aging Chile and Uruguay are on their last legs so by default, Brazil or Argentina will win.

Jay @161, I watched a bit of the game and I had the same thought as you about them being very ordinary. Bizarrely I think it has a lot to do with the Premier League. Many of these players are playing/played in the UK and have adjusted their style to fit our game. That old Brazilian flair has been replaced with a bit more British grit. I think Richarlison is a prime example of this.

Anthony A Hughes

If you are going to try to challenge every single point I make at least try to understand them. Pep isn't wrong. You are.

City have a team of everything, they have supremely talented footballers and they have top class Athletes. who will work their arses off..Both compliment each other

Walker can provide athleticism energy, graft, But Creator or Destroyer ?

Nah forget it...I already know you wont understand the question.

Foden was not able to make the same impact as Sterling because Walker's passing was really poor and there was little interplay between them. His defensive positional play was alright but he offered nothing going forward. Switch Trippier to right back and bring in James or Childwell.

Darren, you called Walker an appalling footballer, the expert football coaches don't agree with you as they keep picking him.
Do you understand that point I made?

Anthony but to be fair by that logic Alex Iwobi is a premier League footballer as several coaches have continued to play him as such.

No premier league footballer is appalling, even the shite ones are absolutely brilliant, if we go on what they've achieved to get to that level, rather than judge them on their week to week performance.

I'd say by City's standards, Walker is possibly the worst player in the team when it comes to “playing with the ball” so hence the quote, appalling footballer, a throwaway remark, even if he's probably the last pick in the 5-aside's every single day!

I'm not even interested in the point you made. If you think its valid then just make it...But not to me

Its you who keeps ignoring other posts to challenge mine.

If you don't understand that he isn't chosen by these "expert football coaches" for his footballing skills. Its not just me you don't understand. Its them too.

The guy brings something most footballers don't have. As stated above by someone else he would struggle to get into a league one side if he wasnt such an Athlete.

Is right Tony. it was just a throw away remark...but some people are just desperate to be right for once.

I was even complimentary about walker when I said he was a marvelous example of what can be achieved with graft ffort and application. That wont register with some.
If people think that because he plays in the same team as Foden and De Bruyne, he belongs in the same bracket and that Pep picks him for the same reasons. Thats up to them.

BTW. I dont object to him being in the England team.

He brings more energy than any of the alternatives, but he repeatedly misplaced the most simple passes all afternoon yesterday. Has done for much of his career

He`s no footballer

Like many/most Evertonians, any interest I ever had in England was lost in the mists of time. I was however told that yesterday's starting line up was the first since 1992 to feature no red white of manure players ie no excrement! I found myself supporting them - coincidence? I think not!