LAURA WOODS: BALOGUN SITUATION, ENGLAND DREAMS… AND HAALAND OVER MESSI?
AZTECA WIN BEST IN A GENERATION
For me, England’s 3-2 win over Mexico at the Azteca is the best victory I can remember at this tournament – and it’s because of all the factors against us to start with.
We had to contend with Mexico’s home record, their performances leading into that game, the atmosphere – which the pundits I’ve worked with who’ve played there say is crazy, like a colosseum with proper die-hard fans – and dare I say it… the altitude.
To top if off, we had to deal with a red card too.
I loved the fight from the players though, especially the ones who came off the bench.
But I also loved how Thomas Tuchel adapted to it all. He is the kind of manager we need in a situation like that.
There was no panic in the team, we just seemed to lock into the game even more, and with so much desire.
There was the way Anthony Gordon played as well – I’m really happy for him. He got a bit of stick after the opening two games but he was so effective.
I mean, the Mexico manager's reaction to him during the game said it all…
WHY HAALAND IS THE SUMMER’S MAIN MAN
First of all: Lionel Messi leading the top scorer race despite missing two penalties is pretty incredible. His influence is clearly enormous.
France and Kylian Mbappe look to be the much more convincing and all-round complete team; Mbappe has stepped it up this summer, he seems a different beast with his country.
But, honestly, for me Erling Haaland is the most influential.
Norway are in the quarter-finals and that is enormous for that country.
He can have a quiet game by his own standards and then pull two goals out of absolutely nowhere. His second goal against Brazil was almost nonchalant, yet outstanding at the same time.
And his personality matches his talent so I just think his footprint at this tournament is enormous.
He’s not ‘dragged’ his team to the quarters, because they’ve all played a part, but he’s certainly leading them.
You expect it from Argentina and France, but Norway are outdoing themselves.
HOST NATIONS DID THEMSELVES PROUD
We have been hosted by three nations who have put on a proper show and achieved great things for their countries.
Canada got their first-ever World Cup point, then their first-ever win, then made the knockout rounds.
I know Jesse Marsch thinks they were the better team in the last 16 but they got knocked out by Morocco, who came to life in the second half and took their chances where Canada didn’t.
The Canadians should be very proud of how far they’ve come though.
Mexico hadn’t even conceded a goal until they came up against England. Their fans were incredible and they’re a proper footballing nation who were a nightmare for England in that game.
They also came very close to beating us.
I actually feel for the USA. In no world should a president or prime minister of any country be getting involved in footballing matters.
Suspending a red card – however wrong it was in the first place, and I do think it was wrong – is a terrible look for a country but also for the governing body.
It should never have happened. It put a lot of pressure on Folarin Balogun and I do think that showed in his performance against Belgium.
He didn’t ask for that pressure and neither did Mauricio Pochettino or the rest of the US team.
BALOGUN RED PUTS BAD SPIN ON TOURNAMENT
The US team had prepared for the Belgium game without Balogun and then all of a sudden they’ve got him and in circumstances they know the rest of the world thinks were wrong… it put a bad spin on what had been a brilliant tournament.
I hope they keep Pochettino – he’s a brilliant manager and I think that showed in their performances before that one.
Even Sepp Blatter has criticised the situation but there won’t be any ramifications… Gianni Infantino seems pretty untouchable.
I do think UEFA could be stronger in condemning it – everyone should be – but I just don’t know that it’ll have any effect.
FRANCE THE TEAM TO BEAT
France probably win the whole thing.
Potentially England could meet them in the final but France look like the most complete team.
We’ve seen quite a few examples of how anything can happen and I’d like to see this England side play against a team where they can properly go for it; I’m sick of hearing about low blocks, the altitude, those kind of things.
I loved what I saw against Mexico – that fight, but also the quality.
We have so much quality in our side so I’d love to see that matched up against France.
But we’ve got a helluva game to get through against Norway and then the next round, so we’ll see.
Right now, I think France win it all.
