England have made a perfect start to the knockout stages under Thomas Tuchel and are now just three wins away from lifting the World Cup.
While many supporters are enjoying watching the Three Lions progress, regular contributor Liam Harding believes this tournament hasn’t quite captured the same magic as previous editions. Here’s his take.
England are winning, but the timing hasn’t helped
It’s great to see England win all of their 2026 World Cup games, apart from the 0-0 draw with Ghana in the group stage, but I’ve really struggled to get into this tournament.
Half of England’s games have kicked off at 9pm, and of course the latest one started at 1am, which hasn’t happened for a while when supporting the Three Lions.
The only game on at a more reasonable time (5pm) was the hard-fought 2-1 Round of 32 victory over DR Congo. England really had to battle for that win, with Harry Kane rescuing the side by scoring both the equaliser and the winner, the latter a superb close-range finish. That was one I did manage to watch!
It still doesn’t feel like a classic World Cup
I’m not sure if others can relate to this, but it hasn’t felt like we’ve had a true World Cup since 2018, when England reached the semi-finals before suffering a 2-1 defeat to eventual finalists Croatia.
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar took place during the winter months, which felt strange as it had never happened before. Despite the nation fully supporting Gareth Southgate’s side, the atmosphere just felt different, with harsh weather conditions across the UK, including snowfall in some areas.
On top of that, England failed to get beyond the Round of 16, losing 2-1 to France. The French outplayed the men in red and white on the day, with former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud scoring the decisive goal for the eventual runners-up.
If it wasn’t for the late kick-off times at the current World Cup, I think it would be a superb tournament. England are playing some excellent attacking football under Thomas Tuchel, and between Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane they have already scored nine goals.
Hopefully they can continue that goalscoring form against Norway in the quarter-finals.
Six Gunners reach the World Cup quarter-finals as Spain and Belgium await
Come on England!!!
Liam Harding
What do you make of Liam’s thoughts? Have you found it harder to enjoy this World Cup because of the kick-off times, or has England’s run kept you fully engaged? Let us know in the comments below.
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Well done to Merino for scoring the winning goal tonight
As far as England is concerned, I just want them to win. I don’t care about what the score is. As long as they win
But they need to be careful with Norway, especially Haarland and Odergaard. Our defence hasn’t been great and they may take advantage of that
England’s performance in this World Cup means a lot more to me than in 2018, when the overrated team/squad was packed with shitty Tottenham players and, from memory, there wasn’t an Arsenal player in sight.
England’s progress in 2018 was a bit of a farce, given that finishing second in the group gave them an easy path to the semi final. The two half decent teams England played in the tournament both beat them.
2018 was the only World Cup in my lifetime when the England team meant nothing to me, and when I felt absolutely no excitement about England’s progress and frankly didn’t care whether they won it or not.
Yes so so special a WC after seeing a red rescinded. Denied entry visa allowed just the politician spoke. Award ‘equivalent’ to Nobel Peace given to who? So special a WC!
Yes, a wonderful WC. Enough of the skewed political commentary or for that any political commentary.
It’s special to me, because some non-favorite teams like Morocco, Norway and Paraguay managed to beat the favorite ones
It might not be special for some fans, maybe because their favorite teams struggled to defeat the non-favorite ones and some of them were even defeated
England were also barely able to get past Congo/ Mexico and even got dominated in ball possession despite the hype around EPL
Trump’s intervention to suspend a Hale End academy graduate’s red card has also made the World Cup more memorable, especially if Belgium manage to defeat them in the Round of 16
England looking good at least for the coming draw and their chances of getting to the final,more than the way they have been playing. A lot of it reminds me of the run in to 66. I was too young to know much about what was going on but by most accounts England were playing poorly in the early rounds, scraping along and neither Ramsey or his team had convinced many people. However they picked up momentum in the knock out stages and lifted the Mug. For the next for years until Mexico we heard nothing but the greatness of the English game and how amazing the likes of Hurst and Peters were whereas in fact they were quite ordinary in comparison to the more skillful continental players. My theory is that the English are generally good losers but bad winners, once the jingoism gains momentum. Just my opinion though.
Joe
Live football was a rarity back then, but I watched the ’66 WC on my 12 inch black & white TV and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was mentioned even back then, that England somehow managed to play all of their games at Wembley. The most difficult of our games was the quarter final against Argentina, who were giving us the run around until their captain and best player on the pitch that day, Antonio Rattin ,got himself sent off for contuously arguing with the referee. The final against Germany is famous and I watch it regularly.
Televised live football was a rarity
Yes Jax the final was famous and also infamous for those who contest the 3rd goal. Did you actually see the ball crossing the goalline on your famous TV set?
Ambachew
I’m yet to be convinced that the ball did cross the line🤣
The fourth goal prompted one of the most famous football quotes…”Some people on the pitch! They think it’s all over! It is now, it’s four.”
Some people are on the pitch
it crossed the line lol
I’ve seen the graphic, which shows that it crossed the line, but it could have been faked.
please your evidence to erase our doubts once and for all
There’s loads and has been for years
It’s just if you choose to find it
Search for Sky Sports in 2016 , they proved it …there are loads like that out there
Thanks Jax. It was a legendary moment for the English fans. The game then went into a four year boom cycle with attendances rocketing before the hooliganism started the rot. At our place here in New South Wales my father and uncles were more preoccupied with those overpaid Italian Nancy boys going out to North Korea. I’m glad you have the Argentinians some credit. My information came from the likes of Jimmy Hill and Brian Moore. According to them the Argentinians and Italians were nothing but thugs who deserved prison. Unlike clean players such as Nobby Styles. Peter Storey, or Norman Hunter( bird your legs) of course. In my round about way of course what I wanted to say is that I can feel a similar momentum to 66 building up. Best of Luck.
Ambachew, I remember watching the ’66 final and no one, even now, can tell if the ball crossed the line. The linesman who signaled that it was a goal was Russian and I always thought that he gave the goal was because of WW2.
Herr Drier,
Beside yours I heard the Soviet Union linesman took this opportunity to avenge for the loss of his country’s team during the semi final by West Germany.
Modern simulation technologies indicate the ball only crossed 50%. Maradona after the Hand of God incident said England have no moral grounds to accuse me of cheating because they won their one and only WC with a ghost goal.
What does Maradona saying have to do with anything lol ?
It was 5 inches over the line ,it’s been proved 😂
Ambachew, I didn’t know that West Germany beat the Soviet Union in their semi final, thanks 👍. I googled it and the second goal by Franz Beckenbauer was a cracker.
Ambachew,
Whether the ball crossed the line or not, England went on to score a fourth goal.
And as for Maradona saying England have no moral grounds to accuse him of cheating, well that’s laughable. His goal was a blatant piece of cheating, and having seen this drugged to the eyeballs player run to the camera at another World Cup, it is him that has no morals. Enough said.
I apologise in advance to the Americans on this site but I’m miffed that you’ve had another bite at holding the event while England and/or a collaboration with the other countries of the British Isles have been overlooked for 60 years. All this to grow the sport in a country which is still not fully on board.
Matches mostly kick off at awful times as far as most European or African nations are concerned.
So many extraneous issues have taken place- and continue to do so regarding ticket prices, hydration breaks in air conditioned stadia, visa refusals for fans and officials as well as the nonsense that has developed over the last couple of days with interference from POTUS regarding the red card, that my interest has worn a bit thin tbh. FIFA ‘s idea to expand the tournament has been good, giving smaller nations a chance to compete on the big stage, but allowing a political intervention to reinstate a player was weak. It’s supposed to be about sport
As I opted out of watching the Mexico v England game, I’m hardly likely to set my alarm for 1am to watch Belgium play the USA. I have, however, woken up and checked my phone and Belgium have stuffed the hosts
Thank you SueP for your perspective. Excellent tbh. Just to add, the hours of the games are most awful (of all peoples of the world) to Asians.
The hours have been a nightmare. I have missed a lot of games live and it pains me so much. But this is what Americans (North and South) suffers when it is held in our time zones so they deserve to enjoy it conveniently once in a while.
It was expected to be a circus with their current evil and awful govt but on the bright side their stadiums are marvel. Especially the open ones like the Arrowhead or Gilette stadium.
Sue, while I dont believe in conspiracy theory, this red card debacle at the world cup its a very strong premise for those that belive in it. I cant just believe it.
It’s all about the money SueP. Always is, always will be. As far as the red card is concerned, the uproar is political in source. Ask yourself where was all the screaming when Ronaldo was allowed to be available to Portugal for the first 2 games of the tournament after receiving after the fact modification of his 3 game suspension earned in his next to last WC qualifier. Same with Otamendi and Caicedo for their first WC games. The outcome and use of the FIFA review was correct and just regardless of who was involved.
yeah Sue
moment this happened it stained the tournament
really sad
SueP,
I echo you’re every word.
SueP
United States has the best facilities, (stadiums), not even close in other countries. We have 70k and 80k college stadiums; Michigan can seat over 100k.
Ticket prices are outrageous; and yet stadiums fill up.
I have read predictions about this world cup making 13 billion; 10 billion in profit. That’s a huge reason it’s held here.
2038 will be back in the USA again, heard it here first.
@Sue P
No apology needed Sue. I agree with you 100%. This WC has been an utter clown show. And though I’m from the U.S., I’ve resided in England since 92’. Currently living in Iron Bridge, Telford.
Not going to get into all of the political wrangling. But it was very unnecessary, to say the least.
I really should visit Iron Bridge NYG Have driven nearby but not had a look when we visited Shrewsbury. A lovely part of the country.
@Sue P
I’ve lived in London and Brighton. But find the Shropshire area suits me best. Especially the Coalbrookdale, Telford part.
Hi SueP
To contact FIFA and make red cards go away you need to receive the FIFA Peace Prize first. When you receive this amazing price you are approved to change the history. Now I expect the result between US and Belgium to be changed. Belgium will go home and US will reach the quarter finals 😁
In the meantime we are 🚣🚣 to Miami 🇳🇴
May the best team win the day Didrik.
Indeed, it will be an interesting match 🙂
Confident are you, Didrik?
I like both teams and will be fine with the outcome. I expect England to win, but we have been strong and only lost one of our last 16 official matches. I think it will be an interesting match. For us every match after the group stage is a bonus 🙂
👍👍👍
Dale Johnson today writing on the BBC regarding the events which unfolded in this WC. Great 5 star read!!!!!
And now the other side of the story not being provided by BBC.
Watching Spain vs Portugal made me sleep early lol
I’m with you Steph
Spain are great at keeping the ball but it’s not the most exciting is it ?
imo the WC has been about the money. TV rights, water breaks for ad etc.
but when your team is still deep in to it and a possibility of us still having a chance of lifting it then its still interesting
also when you watch games such as whats on now and the Argentina’s losing, these games, our games, these make the WC for me and counters some of the dross that has been served up
onwards and upwards
ps
the greatest player ever has just served up a fabulous finish
2-2
great game
3-2 to Argentina. Unlike a certain Ronaldo, Messi is not a hinderance to Argentina. He actually produces for them.
But never mind Ronaldo, smile for the camera. 😂
There are quite a few weak teams at the World Cup. In addition, too many teams.
England have beaten both Mexico and Croatia, both high in rankings, but it is difficult to argue that these are great teams in a historical context. Croatia are an aging side but still rated in the top 15. Look at the teams Argentina have beaten to get to the QF. It’s all very well Messi being hailed as a genius but Cabo Verde, Jordan? A rather iffy Egypt also gave Argentina lots of problems.
Look at the number of goals being scored by some of the top players. The poor defences mean attacking players are having a field day.
On one level there have been quite a lot of exciting games but this is partly due to quite limited tactical nous shown by some teams.
Messi is a genius
Argentina haven’t played any top team to get to the QF. They’ve played fairly weak, and at best, close to middling teams. Similar for England.
DAVID,
100% agreeable!
Yeah but you say what you want to be true
You said two weeks ago essentially European teams cant cope with the African teams
We now have one African team left and suddenly this World Cup is easy lol
David
We’ll get to see how good Argentina are if (and when)we make it to the semi-final.
Yes the World Champions have to win another semi final to prove they are good lol
All I said was Messi is a genius
Don’t think he needs to win another World Cup to prove that lol
To have his desire still after all he’s won is incredible
And if this WC is easy for Messi , it should be easy for everyone else …..so how come no one is doing better then him ?
Havertz faced Curacao , Ivory Coast , Ecuador and Paraguay and got ….3 goals lol
Saka , Maduake and Eze you said in your own words have faced middling teams , why are they not doing better ?
As for England all week people said how Mexico was tricky due to conditions
Now that we won , it’s easy lol
My point stands. Messi is a great player, one of the greatest there’s ever been. However, it’s doubtful that one could argue that he’s at his best. At the same time he’s now already scored more goals than he’s ever scored at a single World Cup and the tournament has just reached the QF stage. If he’d put away the penalties he could have been on 10. Mbappe and Harland are both on 7. Looking back into history it was quite uncommon for the top scorers to get above 6 goals until the the last one . These include tournaments where Messi would have been at his peak; yet he scored fewer goals in those world cups.
Havertz, who isn’t a prolific striker scored 3 goals in 4 games. Kane has already scored 6 goals. So yes it has been relatively easier for goal scorers.
It’s a weak tournament although the trade off is that there are more exciting games.
yeah but if he’s got the most goals because it’s easier the obvious answer is why have others not got more ?
that’s where the argument falls down
he’s literally doing better then the rest
The expansion of the tournament means greater chances of some weak groups and easier runs to the latter stages. Several players are already on numbers that would have won the golden boot in previous tournaments. As for Messi, he has done great but Argentina have faced fairly weak teams to this point. France at least have played some strong teams. Not every top team gets to go through the likes of Jordan and Cabo Verde.
The expansion of the tournament means greater chances of some weak groups and easier runs to the latter stages. Several players are already on numbers that would have won the golden boot in previous tournaments. As for Messi, he has done great but Argentina have faced fairly weak teams to this point. France at least have played some strong teams.
Not every top team gets to play the likes of Jordan and Cabo Verde.
Yes they do mate
Every top team essentially was seeded and therefore faced a team on paper weaker then them
So if your going to say it’s easy for Messi to score 8 goals because it’d easy you need to then admit that every Arsenal attacker has done worse
Has Messi had a better tournament then Havertz ?
Martinelli?
Eze ?
Saka ?
Maduake ?
Odegarrd ?
Zubimendi?
Merino ?
Easily a yes
You seem to be fixated on this Messi thing.. Arguing that Messi has had a better tournament than Arsenal players does not mean it’s not a weak competition. Argentina have also benefited from a fairly easy run to the QF.
no mate it mean that it doesn’t matter if it’s easy
all he can do is compete with what is around him right ?
so even if you think it’s easy, he’s still performing better then anyone else
reason I bring Arsenal players up is it is very strange that the one player who question this tournament is one of the top scorers yet you didn’t like when people did the same to Odegarrd
you
Argentina have faced relatively weak opponents. That’s allowed them to keep going and has helped Messi, good as he’s been, to score lots of goals.
Whether you feel any of that matters or not does not change my opinion.
Bringing up Arsenal players and a completely separate discussion about Odegaard is just a poor attempt at distraction that won’t wash.
not about changing your opinion
it’s about using your own logic and applying it to others
Spain have faced Cape Verde and Saudia Arabia
Portugal faced Congo and Ubakinstan
England faced Panama and DR Congo
Brazil faced Scotland and Haiti
Germany faced Curaco and Paraguay
so while I agree FIFA diluted the quality of the competition ( especially in the groups ).the fact is others have not posted the numbers a 38 year old Mess has
In Hallands first season in people said oh but there are easy games
so the obvious question was so why is no one else doing it if it’s easy
fact is at this World Cup Messi has been one of the best attackers
No doubt Dan, Messi has been outstanding in 20 years. It’s amazing that he has been able to keep going for all these years.
Haaland took the all time goal scoring record in the EPL in his first season. Now he has made 62 goals in 54 matches for our national team, 26 goals in the last 14.matches. He’s definitely a beast in the box 🙂
Ok, can we say Haaland is a genius then? His goals to games ratio is better than most of us have ever seen.
In a word ….yes lol
As a striker he’s one of if not the best in the world and easily the best in the Prem
What makes Messi special is imagine in in a decade Halland is still posting those numbers
That’s what is amazing
Where does he get that hunger and drive from ?
He’s one of a kind
There will never be another like him
Herr Drier, thanks for your constructive remarks.
I referenced Wikipedia 1966 FIFA World Cup Final. Learnt interesting points tbf.
Refs are terrible yesterday and even today with the tech. Maybe yesterday at Egypt v Argentina the disallowed Egypt goal was too soft to be disallowed. The build up to the goal was beauty. Cruel to cancel the goal. Just to
A Frenchman reffed the Argentina game; tomorrow an Argentine is going to ref France v Morocco. What is that? Pure coincidence I doubt. Collina the ref chief knows. Italian job!
so wait what is your accusation ?
Well Dan,
From what I’ve read some people seem to think that FIFA want a repeat of the last World Cup final.
Should that be the case, I guess what Ambachew is driving at is, the French Ref had a big influence on the Egypt result. And I guess he’s now intimating that the Argentinian Ref will have as big an influence on the French game.
Whether any of it is true is open to question. But that’s my take on what Ambachew is driving at.
yeah but it’s very selective and becomes a conspiracy in itself
lets say FIFA what that so reffs set out to make that happen …..explain why Paraguay got away with what they did
funny how that’s not not mentioned by Ambachew
I think most people expect the final be between France v Argentina as DEREK correctly pointed out. So in order to erase any kind of room for whatever conspiracy, wouldn’t it be fair if ref is appointed from a neutral team say from Concacaf, Caf or AFC? There are elite refs from these continental bodies though Africa’s no.1 ref (the Somali ref) was unjustifiably denied the opportunity.
Not Caf as Morocco are involved. Oceania maybe.
It is a neutral team
You claiming they are not a neutral doesn’t make them not neutral
Why should they ?
If they have nothing to hide why should they have to do anything to reassure people who have zero evidence
The reality is if you think there is a conspiracy your going to find something that suits your argument regardless
So if they started changing it they are giving you what you want
Ambachew,
On reflection regards anything dodgy going on with the French and Argentinian refs on influencing each others games as to make sure they reach the final again.
That wouldn’t make sense to me, because if it were me I wouldn’t want to play France in the final. That would be the tougher final to play in, regardless of the result the last time.
But all these conspiracy theories, are all they are. Unless there is actual proof, it’s just conjecture really.
that’s my point
if your an Argentina reff why would you want to help France
it’s very dangerous what he’s saying as well
essentially he’s saying that if Morrocco and Argentina are knocked out European reffs are not allowed anymore to take part because he believes officials discriminate based on where your from ?
so where is the line ?
do we then separate on race ? religion ? Gender ?
that’s why it’s so dangerous just to imply corruption without any evidence