SF2: England vs Argentina...... Wed 15th July 20:00 - BBC1

[Banana]

Venue: Atlanta

Winner: Gets to the WC Final!

 

[CTBee]

Indoor venue so the heat won't be as much of a factor as it was tonight

 

[Hullbee]

Venue: Atlanta

Winner: Gets to the WC Final!

Loser get a chance to come third

 

[Banana]

Confirmed on BBC1

 

[Gazza Bee]

Can't wait - reasonable time so no late finish which is great. Not been impressed by Argentina so I think we have a great chance regardless of who we play

 

[Banana]

well.....here we go.....

 

[Vid]

It’s going to be messy.

 

[Rob-BEE]

We are marginal favourites, in fact stronger favourites than we were against Mexico! I'd have it closer to 50/50 but either way we shouldn't be having any sort of inferiority complex going into this.

I said in a post a couple of weeks ago, tournament football is about moments, not necessarily being great for whole matches. We know we have the players to hurt them (and they us, of course)...can't wait!

 

[Jezybee]

There was a small flashpoint in the stands in Miami during the England vs Norway game involving some Argentinian fans.
Despite the ticket sales free expensive-for-all, host authorities haven’t, so far, had to manage any consequences from the lack of segregation.
Hopefully not, but fear that might change somewhat in the semi, given the history of needle.

View: https://x.com/alertaargnews/status/2076135531277066748?s=46&t=oDZc8VeN5AVWWnuI4Fn5IA

 

[aslan]

There was a small flashpoint in the stands in Miami during the England vs Norway game involving some Argentinian fans.
Despite the ticket sales free expensive-for-all, host authorities haven’t, so far, had to manage any consequences from the lack of segregation.
Hopefully not, but fear that might change somewhat in the semi, given the history of needle.

View: https://x.com/alertaargnews/status/2076135531277066748?s=46&t=oDZc8VeN5AVWWnuI4Fn5IA

Go on England!

 

[IslandBee]

Confirmed on BBC1

Thank God for that - no effing Matterface!!

 

[IslandBee]

Go on England!

Looks like he was get a bit of a pasting tbh!

 

[IslandBee]

We are marginal favourites, in fact stronger favourites than we were against Mexico! I'd have it closer to 50/50 but either way we shouldn't be having any sort of inferiority complex going into this.

I said in a post a couple of weeks ago, tournament football is about moments, not necessarily being great for whole matches. We know we have the players to hurt them (and they us, of course)...can't wait!

With a fully fit and on-form first eleven perhaps but we are a long way from that. I have them as favourites: they pass and move more fluently than we do, they are more experienced particularly at the back and, in Messi, they have the best player on the pitch.

We can definitely win this but we will need our attacking players other than Bellingham and, intermittently, Kane to be a more consistent threat than they have been up to now.

 

[Oldboy TW8 0AW]

Both teams have shown great resilience during this tournament. Defending at times being an issue to each.
I think that initially, the game will be very tactical with each team testing the other.
Hopefully, this is the year for .
C'mon England, bring the World Cup back home!

 

[Bristolian Bee]

How versed have Argentina been this tournament in the dark arts?

 

[guilly]

Messi is coming from two quiet/poor games, and can't believe it's the first time he will be playing Vs England, an opponent key in the Maradona legend.

Will be a funny week

 

[hanworthbee]

First time we’ve ever played Messi

 

[LongLostBee]

Looks like he was get a bit of a pasting tbh!

Quite the opposite. Only thing saving those Argies is the barrier and someone trying to break it up. The English bloke’s clearly a far better fighter than the Argies who all look one more bar snack away from a heart attack.

 

[IslandBee]

Quite the opposite. Only thing saving those Argies is the barrier and someone trying to break it up. The English bloke’s clearly a far better fighter than the Argies who all look one more bar snack away from a heart attack.

I know eff all about fighting so I will leave it to your superior knowledge on such things!!

 

[hanworthbee]

Quite the opposite. Only thing saving those Argies is the barrier and someone trying to break it up. The English bloke’s clearly a far better fighter than the Argies who all look one more bar snack away from a heart attack.

I’d agree one English bloke seemed to be taking on all of the argies and getting the better of them. I must say though fighting in a football stadium in America isnt very sensible ! You could end up shot or years in prison !

 

[LongLostBee]

Yeah I wouldn’t recommend getting caught up in the US “justice” system unless you’re a multi-multi millionaire! It’s every bit as bad as our “justice” system…just in the opposite way!

 

[upnorthbee]

We are marginal favourites, in fact stronger favourites than we were against Mexico! I'd have it closer to 50/50 but either way we shouldn't be having any sort of inferiority complex going into this.

I said in a post a couple of weeks ago, tournament football is about moments, not necessarily being great for whole matches. We know we have the players to hurt them (and they us, of course)...can't wait!

Not so sure about that, I have it a proper 50/50 game this... with anything having Argentina marginal favourites.

 

[Rob-BEE]

Not so sure about that, I have it a proper 50/50 game this... with anything having Argentina marginal favourites.

I agree, I just meant that's what the betting markets are showing, which I was quite surprised to see

 

[Oldboy TW8 0AW]

I have just read the article on BBC sport, of England vs.Argentina previous World Cup meetings.
My memories start from 1966, too young to remember the 1962 victory 3-1 (Bobby Charlton,Ron Flowers & Jimmy Greaves)

 

[Chomp]

First time we’ve ever played Messi

And the last dance. Hopefully we send the little **** home crying.

 

[gbems92]

We seem to get alot of stick when we don't play the perfect game and blow everyone away. I don't think anyone has been perfect and looked unbeatable so far. I would say we have a decent chance, especially playing in better conditions after playing Mexico at altitude and then yesterday in the heat.

 

[kempy]

Feeling very confident, more than I did against both Mexico and Norway. Argentina haven't played anyone of note and struggled. Coming up against us is a considerable step up from what they've faced so far.

 

[aawharris]

Im channeling 2002 in this one.
A captain fantastic penalty and a 1-0 win for me.

 

[IslandBee]

I have just read the article on BBC sport, of England vs.Argentina previous World Cup meetings.
My memories start from 1966, too young to remember the 1962 victory 3-1 (Bobby Charlton,Ron Flowers & Jimmy Greaves)

'Animals' - Sir Alf, God bless him!

 

[kenbee]

I was at Wembley for the notorious Argentine game in 1966 and ironic that Rattin who refused to leave the pitch after being sent off died on Saturday.

 

[essexbees]

I've waited for this for 40 years, was at the 86 hand of God match as a 22 year old, watched us beat Paraguay on TV on the I think Wednesday night and decided to spend my then life savings of £1300 to go to the game, Thursday morning down to American Embassy in Grovesnor Square to get US visa and flew to New York that afternoon, connecting flight to Miami, night in dodgy airport motel and flight to Mexico city following day, got ticket from Mexican copper for £36, did not realise goal was handball at the time as was at other end, cannot remember much about the game other than being next to a stunning young Mexican chica, beer being sold by a guy wandering around the stands with a big tray and Gary Lineker missing a certain equaliser at the near post by an hairs breath. Took a big bees union flag (no st George's flag back then) and wound up all the Argies with it waiting to get in the ground hanging outside of the stairway at the back before the game, attendance was over 114,000 with about 70,000 Argies and maybe 10,000 England, big fight in the stand behind the goal just before the kick off with no police around

 

[Gazza Bee]

Quietly confident about this one - think they have been very average so a Mexico performance wins the game

 

[essexbees]

I've waited for this for 40 years, was at the 86 hand of God match as a 22 year old, watched us beat Paraguay on TV on the I think Wednesday night and decided to spend my then life savings of £1300 to go to the game, Thursday morning down to American Embassy in Grovesnor Square to get US visa and flew to New York that afternoon, connecting flight to Miami, night in dodgy airport motel and flight to Mexico city following day, got ticket from Mexican copper for £36, did not realise goal was handball at the time as was at other end, cannot remember much about the game other than being next to a stunning young Mexican chica, beer being sold by a guy wandering around the stands with a big tray and Gary Lineker missing a certain equaliser at the near post by an hairs breath. Took a big bees union flag (no st George's flag back then) and wound up all the Argies with it waiting to get in the ground hanging outside of the stairway at the back before the game, attendance was over 114,000 with about 70,000 Argies and maybe 10,000 England, big fight in the stand behind the goal just before the kick off with no police around

On an incredibly boring side note to this 9 years later in 95 I spent 4 months wandering around south America ending up in Buenos Aires, was aware Bees were in the mix back home but could only get news by going into the British Council in various countries and reading the UK newspapers, couldn't find one in Argentina maybe due to the Falklands conflict so took a gamble and paid a fiver to buy the times from a newsstand (I can remember the look of disdain from the vendor when I bought it) found out we had drawn 2-2 (?) with Huddersfield in first leg of play offs and on an impulse bought the worlds most expensive flight back to the UK arriving in the morning of the game and then begging the ticket office to find me a ticket which they did, it was the third from last ticket available and was in the Ealing Rd, managed to persuade a policeman to allow me to move into the New road where I use to stand and well, we all know what happened, it was weird being back at a packed griffin park after four months mainly in the Andes, so for me Argentina has a lot of personal connotations, I hate them but also like them (after great experiences over there) if that makes any sense. Come on England!!!!

 

[Chomp]

Hopefully Declan Rice is back to full fitness for this. I would like his presence, technique and stallion-like power in the middle.

 

[aslan]

3-1 - with Rashford, Bellingham and a Kane penalty apparently

 

[Hippobee]

Certainly no need to fear this lot - they have been distinctly average, scraping through against the likes of Cape Verde and Egypt and riding their luck against the Swiss. Mind you, they probably think the same about us.

We need to be much better than last night though. Their defence is as suspect as ours though and if our attackers decide to take it to them, we should win.

 

[IslandBee]

On an incredibly boring side note to this 9 years later in 95 I spent 4 months wandering around south America ending up in Buenos Aires, was aware Bees were in the mix back home but could only get news by going into the British Council in various countries and reading the UK newspapers, couldn't find one in Argentina maybe due to the Falklands conflict so took a gamble and paid a fiver to buy the times from a newsstand (I can remember the look of disdain from the vendor when I bought it) found out we had drawn 2-2 (?) with Huddersfield in first leg of play offs and on an impulse bought the worlds most expensive flight back to the UK arriving in the morning of the game and then begging the ticket office to find me a ticket which they did, it was the third from last ticket available and was in the Ealing Rd, managed to persuade a policeman to allow me to move into the New road where I use to stand and well, we all know what happened, it was weird being back at a packed griffin park after four months mainly in the Andes, so for me Argentina has a lot of personal connotations, I hate them but also like them (after great experiences over there) if that makes any sense. Come on England!!!!

Great stories!!

 

[Garybaldbee]

On an incredibly boring side note to this 9 years later in 95 I spent 4 months wandering around south America ending up in Buenos Aires, was aware Bees were in the mix back home but could only get news by going into the British Council in various countries and reading the UK newspapers, couldn't find one in Argentina maybe due to the Falklands conflict so took a gamble and paid a fiver to buy the times from a newsstand (I can remember the look of disdain from the vendor when I bought it) found out we had drawn 2-2 (?) with Huddersfield in first leg of play offs and on an impulse bought the worlds most expensive flight back to the UK arriving in the morning of the game and then begging the ticket office to find me a ticket which they did, it was the third from last ticket available and was in the Ealing Rd, managed to persuade a policeman to allow me to move into the New road where I use to stand and well, we all know what happened, it was weird being back at a packed griffin park after four months mainly in the Andes, so for me Argentina has a lot of personal connotations, I hate them but also like them (after great experiences over there) if that makes any sense. Come on England!!!!

Not boring at all. And I agree, it's love-hate with Argentina. There's so much to dislike but so much that I love too. Buenos Aires is a wonderful place to visit, especially as a football fan. The most amazing football experience of my life was watching River Plate in El Monumental with 70,000 fans going absolutely berserk trying to will them on to a victory which would have won them the title. They ended up being held to a draw. Had they actually won the scenes would have been beyond mental. The following week Boca nicked the title from them and the explosion of noise and fireworks was so great that I could enjoy it from the balcony of our Airbnb miles across the other side of the city. I was actually offered tickets to that one too but at £300 apiece turned them down. I still regret that.

 

[Wooburn Bee]

Hopefully Declan Rice is back to full fitness for this. I would like his presence, technique and stallion-like power in the middle.

We do and Tuchel has some selection issues. Who plays right back? I assume Reece James with Spence replacing him off bench after an hour or so as probably that’s all he can manage at moment. If we did get to Final though highly unlikely he will be able to play Sunday as well but then Quansah available. But let’s get there first! Centre back partnership I assume be Guehi and Stones for latter’s experience, tough on Konsa but didn’t Tuchel indicate he is carrying a hamstring strain? Midfield picks itself if Rice fit, if he isn’t than I assume Bellingham will play deeper and Rogers comes in as midfield trio of EZE, Bellingham and Anderson that was tried second half yesterday didn’t work and we lost midfield. I assume Rice will make it though but whether he can manage a full 90 is another matter. On right hand side of attack Saka would be the automatic pick but again can we start a player who we know won’t last full 90 which is why Madueke started yesterday? I’m assuming Tuchel will risk it as can’t see Madueke starting again, alternative is Rashford even if on his wrong side but then maybe worth trying a non inverted winger?

 

[SpiderBee]

I was at Wembley for the notorious Argentine game in 1966 and ironic that Rattin who refused to leave the pitch after being sent off died on Saturday.

sh*t happens

 

[savvy 2210]

With a fully fit and on-form first eleven perhaps but we are a long way from that. I have them as favourites: they pass and move more fluently than we do, they are more experienced particularly at the back and, in Messi, they have the best player on the pitch.

We can definitely win this but we will need our attacking players other than Bellingham and, intermittently, Kane to be a more consistent threat than they have been up to now.

And if goes like the Egypt game, Argentina will have the infant and ref in their pocket.
I detest Argentina. I hope England really stuff them, as well as England finishing with no injuries. We all know what dirty bastards they are.

 

[Banana]

And if goes like the Egypt game, Argentina will have the infant and ref in their pocket.
I detest Argentina. I hope England really stuff them, as well as England finishing with no injuries. We all know what dirty bastards they are.

How charming.

 

[Catbee]

We do and Tuchel has some selection issues. Who plays right back? I assume Reece James with Spence replacing him off bench after an hour or so as probably that’s all he can manage at moment. If we did get to Final though highly unlikely he will be able to play Sunday as well but then Quansah available. But let’s get there first! Centre back partnership I assume be Guehi and Stones for latter’s experience, tough on Konsa but didn’t Tuchel indicate he is carrying a hamstring strain? Midfield picks itself if Rice fit, if he isn’t than I assume Bellingham will play deeper and Rogers comes in as midfield trio of EZE, Bellingham and Anderson that was tried second half yesterday didn’t work and we lost midfield. I assume Rice will make it though but whether he can manage a full 90 is another matter. On right hand side of attack Saka would be the automatic pick but again can we start a player who we know won’t last full 90 which is why Madueke started yesterday? I’m assuming Tuchel will risk it as can’t see Madueke starting again, alternative is Rashford even if on his wrong side but then maybe worth trying a non inverted winger?

 

[EASTBRISTOLBEE7]

Jude will have to keep his cool , they will definitely target him with the Dark arts of football.

 

[Jay Bee]

Not boring at all. And I agree, it's love-hate with Argentina. There's so much to dislike but so much that I love too. Buenos Aires is a wonderful place to visit, especially as a football fan. The most amazing football experience of my life was watching River Plate in El Monumental with 70,000 fans going absolutely berserk trying to will them on to a victory which would have won them the title. They ended up being held to a draw. Had they actually won the scenes would have been beyond mental. The following week Boca nicked the title from them and the explosion of noise and fireworks was so great that I could enjoy it from the balcony of our Airbnb miles across the other side of the city. I was actually offered tickets to that one too but at £300 apiece turned them down. I still regret that.

Love these stories. Hopefully allowed as broadly on topic this far in advance of the game.

I went to see River Plate play a Copa Libertadores (champions league equivalent) group game in 2023 and it was loudest and craziest atmosphere I had ever heard at a game. They won 2-0.


A couple of videos

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My seated block was pretty civilised but great for the atmosphere from below.

One noticeable thing was just how many young people were there. From memory most of the standing section behind the goal were 18-35. Something for PL clubs to learn from? as younger fans are priced out... No offence to the older crowd.

I'm pretty sure away fans are still banned in the Argentinian league though. This game maybe unexpectedly had away fans (Fluminese, from Brazil) as it was a international fixture.

 

[Kingston Bee]

Just hope we get a decent ref, as this could quickly get out of hand. Anyone know who has been appointed?

 

[Stofer]

One of those rare moments where I’m confident of an England win.
Have we been consistently good during the tournament, absolutely not. In fact, in my opinion we have no style of play really.
But, we have the players who can turn it on when it’s really needed.


View: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRoj1Wkx/

 

[Travel Tavern Bee]

Will be watching in Spain Totally outnumbered as it’s just a Messi love in here , only an hour from Barca , just loads of Argy shirts everywhere .

Come on England , Please

 

[BURFORD BEE]

I've a feeling that Watkins may still have a part to play as the game gets stretched in the later stages.

 

[Banana]

This is the list of retained refs

Given no UEFA or CONMEBOL refs can officiate this game, and Barton got the other SF, there's only 4 refs to choose from. Australia (unlikely), Jordan, Morocco and the good old US of A.

AFC)
Alireza Faghani
Adham Makhadmeh

(CAF)
Jalal Jayed

(CONCACAF)
Ivan Barton
Ismail Elfath

(CONMEBOL)
Jesús Valenzuela
Wilton Sampaio

(UEFA)
Espen Eskås
Szymon Marciniak
Maurizio Mariani
Glenn Nyberg
João Pinheiro
Slavko Vinčić