7/8 correct quarter-finalists is pretty good

The Finalissima has finally been rescheduled.

England still have two (plus one for ET) subs up their sleeve so I can't understand why they're still happy to keep six defenders on and sink deep (not that it ever was a good idea). #ENGARG

Enzo has the most shots in this match (4 — one fewer than England altogether). He's been letting them rip all game, so that was rather coming. #ENGARG

Obviously their physicality and bite stands out but Argentina have shown great composure in their deep build-ups, especially for such an occasion. #ENGARG

7 fouls in 11 minutes. The beautiful game. #ENGARG

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🆚🇦🇷 England have met Argentina five times at the World Cup - with the footballing animosity between the two nations dating back to 1966 - but they've never met at the semi-final stage. Here's our match preview: www.fotmob.com/topnews/2894...

Alongside @shelatneel.bsky.social, wrote about what I think might be the most impressive defensive game I've ever watched at the World Cup.

Excellent breakdown of the 'Balogun' affair by Paul Quinn on @eaamalyon.bsky.social 's excellent FootBiz footbiz.beehiiv.com/p/footbiz-sp...

Spain might be famous for their gorgeous possession sequences, but this was the best *defensive* performance we've ever seen. www.thetransferflow.com/p/superior-s...

England and Argentina will shortly battle it out to decide who will meet Spain in the final. Match preview for @fotmob.com: www.fotmob.com/en-GB/topnew...

Wrote about last night's semi-final for @thetransferflow.bsky.social, also featuring some great analysis from @kimischilling.bsky.social on a truly world-class Spanish defensive performance: www.thetransferflow.com/p/superior-s...

Could've been the Euros as well but for one game. They've still reached all four major finals over the last four years — unbelievable achievement.

I believe this means Spain will be unbeaten in their last 36 games (28 wins), matching Italy's men's World record. Also 31 wins and 5 draws in all competitive fixtures since the last World Cup. #FRAESP

Incredible stuff from Spain. Didn't expect them to outplay France quite like this given how the tournament had gone to this point, but what a time to step up in all departments! #FRAESP

Anyway, need one of France or Argentina to do something otherwise it's England vs Spain (Women's World Cup 2023) England vs Spain (Men's Euro 2024) England vs Spain (Women's Euro 2025) England vs Spain (Men's World Cup 2026)

France have swapped Olise and Dembélé for the last few minutes, meaning they're back as they were at the start of the World Cup. Dembélé in a front two OOP does improve the press, but is it worth limiting Olise's creativity by pushing him out wide? #FRAESP

Spain have been great since the goal. Decision to go for a more combative midfield with Fabián ahead of Pedri looks to be vindicated again. #FRAESP

Didier Deschamps letting France be fun right when he is leaving... give him an extension. #FRAESP

Spain may need to play "un-Spanish" to beat France. @patrickbvs.bsky.social & @hvanbrewer.bsky.social preview World Cup semis, plus transfers: · Deny Messi the ball, deny Argentina the game · Everything is risky for Spain against this France team · Barca's Adeyemi bargain and Tielemans to United

A chaotic group stage and round of 32 has given way to business as usual. And now, we get to see the 4 best teams in the world compete to win the World Cup. www.thetransferflow.com/p/hey-jude-d...

Wrote about Spain - Belgium in our quarter-finals round-up over at @thetransferflow.bsky.social: www.thetransferflow.com/p/hey-jude-d...

The Denver Summit badge is extremely USL Super League coded.

No World Cup match today but a fine time as ever to support @fairsq.bsky.social's Reboot FIFA campaign. Sign and support here: rebootfifa.com/sign/

Considering the context of the match and tournament, that could have a case for being the stupidest yellow card of all time (on Embolo's part, to be clear). #ARGSUI

Argentina have been outshor 2-6 in the second half so far. That has very much coming, especially over the last 10 minutes. #ARGSUI

A grand total of one attempt from both teams combined since the goal. Snoozefest. #ARGSUI

Looks like Messi is fully playing as a right winger today. #ARGSUI

Argentina take on Switzerland to round off the quarter-final action at the World Cup later tonight. Match preview for @fotmob.com: www.fotmob.com/en-GB/topnew...

Such a poor goal to concede for Norway. They had chances after the first and ended up giving that away from a misplaced long goal kick right on the stroke of half-time. #NORENG

19 minutes for the first shot to be registered from either side. Certainly a World Cup quarter-final in humid conditions. #NORENG

Argentina take on Switzerland to round off the quarter-final action at the World Cup later tonight. Match preview for @fotmob.com: www.fotmob.com/en-GB/topnew...

This will be a well deserved win for Spain as long as they see it out, and one built on their versatility. They've shown a lot of different attacking looks in the second half, and one finally managed to break through. #ESPBEL

The Campeonato Nacional Final is kicking off (free to stream on FIFA+ via DAZN) between last year's winners, GD Palmeira from the island of Sal, and CS Mindelense, from São Vicente. CS Mindelense is the former club of World Cup hero, Vozinha.

That's so harsh on Canada. Morocco's first meaningful shot of the game — from a set-piece at that. #CANMAR

As many yellow cards as shots in that first half (5). #CANMAR

Canada's mid block has been excellent so far, with great discipline and coordination preventing Morocco from getting their possession-game going at all so far. Very impressive stuff. #CANMAR

What an intense start from Canada! Canadian-born GK Bounou is the one keeping Morocco in the game so far. #CANMAR

HE IS KILLING HIMSELF FOR AFRICAAAAAA OH MY GODDDD OH MY GOOOOOODDDDDD‼️

Sidney Lopes Cabral literally doesn't have a weak foot. What a goal!!! #ARGCPV

Obviously easy to say now but this game never really felt in doubt for Argentina. They were playing at walking pace until 1-1, and even thereafter were never rushed and well in control. Impossible to imagine them playing like this without having won the World Cup last time. #ARGCPV

Not only have Cabo Verde equalised, they're also currently outshooting Argentina (4-5). This is the concern with the defending champions — their inability to control games out of possession. #ARGCPV

Interesting to note how Argentina use their CBs to play incisive forward passes in the opposition half a fair bit, often with the DMs stepping up a bit against deeper blocks such as today. Leaves the opposition with more attackers to mark, opening up the possibility of CB assists like that. #ARGCPV

So now we know why Roberto Martínez took Ronaldo off yesterday — he's not going to Al-Nassr after all. Ange Postecoglu has just been announced as their new head coach.

World Cup notebook! • Manzambi is a monster • Spain look so comfortable • Portugal-Croatia produces infinite discourses www.thetransferflow.com/p/saying-goo...

Wrote about Spain's first men's World Cup knockout win since 2010 in the latest @thetransferflow.bsky.social notebook: www.thetransferflow.com/p/saying-goo...

Manzambi stocks have skyrocketed at this World Cup. We at @thetransferflow.bsky.social have been investing in them for a while, thanks in no small part to @moesquare.bsky.social: www.thetransferflow.com/p/johan-manz...

Ibrahim Maza absolutely running the show so far. Quel joueur. #SUIALG

Obviously a few issues in this side, but what's hurting Portugal right now is their lack of solidity in rest defence. Vitinha as a lone 6 is too lightweight. #PORCRO