Onana makes World Cup bow in narrow Belgium win

In the majority of matches so far, the lack of quality in the final third has been painful to watch

Kevin

I don't know where else he played in England but maybe it's a little look at the way Chelsea coach their kids, and maybe why they're producing a lot of good young footballers. But the thing he said he learned the most in England was that he was constantly told to play free.

Likewise, the Germans seem to be transitional just as they were after France 98 after two Quarter-Final finishes. They went on to be Runners Up followed by two 3rd place finishes before winning it for the 4th time in 2014.

They tend to be masters of tournament football. Not always easy to watch, particularly in the Group stages.

Interesting that Tony, without researching I wonder why that is. Chelsea do seem to be producing high-quality players. I think it coincided with them moving to Cobham and totally restructuring their academy.

Yes Rob, I meant the first game today was a goalless draw mate!

It seems like quality skipped a generation in Germany. They've got old timers like Muller and Neuer then kids like Musiala and the two teens from Dortmund. Not so much in between. Actually I can't remember a World Cup with so many “star” old timers Ronaldo, Pepe, Messi, Di Maria, Modric etc obviously Messi and Ronaldo are all time phenoms but it does seem generally there's a bit of a dearth in talent between the Messi generation and the Foden, Musiala, Pedri etc England are probably the team with the most quality players in their mid to late 20s

But I just love watching Antoine Greizman, what an artist. I can't understand why some of our top Premier League clubs didn't move for him when he left Barca.

Musiala looks a great player. If he can keep those shots down!! Great feet.

19 years old, product of Chelsea's academy and could have played for England but chose the country of his birth and his mother.

Wir fahr'n, fahr'n, fahr'n, nakt der Autobahn!

Japan 2 1 yeeesss! Eat sausage krouts!😀

Can Japan hold out for a famous win?

Neuer beaten at his near post. Pickford would be murdered for that.

Actually, after seeing the replay, I think any goalkeeper would rightfully be murdered for conceding that goal. Very poor by Neuer.

Tremendous goal – on one shot, it looks like Neuer twist his shoulder out the way. but an absolutely fantastic finish.

But, that just shows how poor we've been and how desperate we are becoming!

We'll beat Wolves, though. COYB!

The Japanese must train in the mountains. They just wore the Germans down.

"Axis derby" is a good one.

I'm not totally shocked by Japan -- they took the USA apart in a pre-tournament friendly, and they're the best-pressing team in the tourney.

Not an Everton Legend, but like Dan Gosling. You only have to mention his name to make any blue smile.

Their coach was astute too changing things up at half time

I love watching Japan though, because their honest endeavor, makes me understand why I fell in love with the game of football at a very early age. They put their heart and soul into the game, and they never stop running, and although I admire the Germans, I was made up for the Japan, in the end.

Funny Darren, I'm 53, in a couple of weeks, but when I heard Oviedo's name, I couldn't help myself, and started singing his song,

Ajay, it's one of my greatest memories ever. He's now playing in MLS.

I'm still absolutely convinced that I got Moyes to sign him. After seeing him in a WC qualifier I came on here and said he'd be the perfect backup for Bainesy. Of course Moyes was a regular TW reader, and a couple months later, he signed Baby. Coincidence? I think not.

I said before the tournament, that Germany are a shadow of themselves at the moment. Obviously these things can turn around quickly and how often do we see teams who get off to a racing start flag and falter? Wide open though.

Credit to Japan. Absolute energy and commitment. Relentless.

I know it's one match and he only came on as a sub, but Asano changed it. He's been a bit of a journeyman and ironically playing in the Bundesliga. A club that has over the past few decades been a bit "bouncy" between Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2. In fact they're in they played their first season back in the top flight last season after almost a decade's absence.

Again, not getting carried away after a match, but if you consider the energy Son at Tottenham plays with (yes South Korean) and watching Japan play today, maybe that's something about players from that geographical region.

Get our scouts on a plane and start looking.

Watching the Spain match out of the corner of my eye, they're cruising. Germany could be in trouble.

You did Moyes no favors. You probably got him the sack at United.

I think Oviedo's winner at OT was the beginning of the end for him.

That out of the way, Hell yeah Japan!!! That was a fine and determined comeback from what is perennially a well organized and spirited side. Disciplined with a well drilled sense of how many to commit forward and always keeping form to maximize the effectiveness of their runs.

Dier - Stones - Coady - Robinson

Gana - Onana - Klaassen - Oviedo

Lukaku - Richarlison

Subs - Valencia, Vlasic

Strewth - the Telegraph are saying FIFA are planning on the 2030 World Cup to be held at that hole over the park from us.

P.S. It is a sarcastic piece.

France last night looked impressive and strong.

England have a buzz about them.

Argentina and Germany for different reasons fluffed their lines.

But this is tournament football. Watch England draw against USA and lose against Wales. Germany beat Spain and France suffer a shock. Yet to see Brazil.

Fantastic by Spain. Great to watch.

Rare is it a team plays a whole month on the top of their game.

Probably live to regret this prediction, but a Germany v Argentina would not be a surprise to me.

It's only football insider, who are up there with Goodison news, and a couple of others, for being the worst website on football, but they are currently claiming that Moshiri, is close to selling his stake in Everton. We will see🤞

Fair point I remember 86 Denmark and USSR putting six psst Uruguay and Hungary. Both went out in round two

I realize light moves faster than sound but why is it the American commentators raise their voice excitedly well after a shot has gone wide or over?

Ian Darke, even the verbal-diarrhoea-afflicted Peter Drury seem to react as near to simultaneous as possible to the action.

But you've already heard the crowd groan before the American commentators go falsetto and remark on something that might happen after it's already happened.

I say it's a pet peeve but actually it's so annoying I keep switching to the Spanish commentary

The linesman on the far side doesn't have a clue, he keeps looking at the ref for guidance before raising his flag.

Where I've heard that before?

Poor penalty by Davies too far from the corner, easy save for the keeper.

FIFA rankings are garbage plus it's time to retire Alderwald, Albert, Scifo, Ceulemans.

Always said Batshuayi was class.

Long ball over the high press... Batshuyi!

Canada getting stiffed by the VAR and inept officiating. How did they not call that second penalty?

I'd said earlier that linesman was out of his depth, then when the ref looked at him for help on the second penalty claim, he didn't have a scooby.

The VAR should have given it.

Not about football (I know), but sad day for music today, Wilco Johnson sadly died.

It wasn't Jeff Tweedy that kicked.

Anyone else feel sick when the camera went onto Collina, the frog-eyed robbing bastard?

Canada should have had 1 or 2 more penalties if they looked at them correctly in slow motion like they normally do. But I guess FIFA have their favorites.

Yes. Firstly he was talking to himself secondly he looks even more like Mikon from Dan Dare then he used to

At the same time, some of these so-called lesser footballing nations are really rising to the occasion. And more than just trying hard, which they are. They are actually playing decent, energetic and exciting football.

Onana on.

Remember Brendan Galloway? Martinez said you had to play 150 games as a left-back to develop before he could play at centre-back. How does that work out?

He inherited a good team but he's allowed them to become Dad's Army though Pike and Walker are too young to get on the pitch. Godfrey and Jones have the all important experience...

Hazard, the two central defenders, Witsel Belgium have a huge production line of talent and the same players for the last 3 tournaments.

Onana has had a shakey start.

Canada walk through their midfield very easily, the press is very poor.

You're right, the VAR should have seen it, just as the VAR should have seen countless other errors in the last year, but until we have competent officials in the TV room we'll carry on getting the mistakes and corrupt decisions that have plagued the VAR since its inception.

But his for Everton I can forgive. he's not the reason for our woes, the fact that we a relying on such a raw 21-year-old in a new league is the club's issue.

Almost a very good piece of play from him there.

Lukaku can't make that much of a difference as Belgium seem to be on the defense mostly.

Onana looks lost he is just marking space.

Germany 26
France 23
Canada 21

But only 3 of Canada's on target. England only had 13 total shots and scored 6. Efficiency.

A PR god, he was.

You forgot the manager:

Manager:
R. “BBS” Martinez

Pickford
Dier - Stones - Coady - Robinson
Gana - Onana - Klaassen - Oviedo
Lukaku - Richarlison

Subs - Valencia, Vlasic

Belgium still has talent, but it does kind of feel like their window has closed. As long as you have players like De Brunye, Courtois and even a half-speed Hazard, you'll have a chance... but I'm surprised there hasn't been a greater influx of young talent to refresh the squad. I mean, they're still peddling Vertonghen and Alderweireld as their CB duo. And they should really have a better striking alternative to Lukaku than Batshuayi, goal notwithstanding (I guess that'll eventually be Doku).

Anyone know if Frank or Thelwell have asked Onana to tap up those centres of transfer speculation Hazard and Lukaku, after all isn't it de rigueur at these competitions?

Otherwise, we'll ruin another young 21 year old player.

And I don't care if he's from Kirkdale or was born in Senegal and plays for Belgium.

It's a bit like some of the knives coming out for Anthony Gordon recently.

I get criticism on form or a poor performance. That's natural and we all see it as well as comment on it. But no need to bring the voodoo dolls and pins out just now.

Onana has potential. As does Gordon. As does Patterson. As does Mykolenko. As does McNeil. As do the other young players.

But it's potential that is still developing right now and there will be mistakes made along the way.

https://www.givemesport.com/88087577-japan-dressing-room-samurai-blue-clean-up-brilliantly-after-beating-germany-at-world-cup

...and the fans cleaned up after themselves in the stadium too.

Wish our country had the same attitude and respect for others property and stop ditching rubbish anywhere!

I'd like to see what McNeil could do with a fully fit Calvert-Lewin as he certainly has a delivery on him.

I'll get ridiculed, but even though he's 36, an audacious bid to bring Giroud back to the Premier League? If there were any legs in those rumours a few seasons back, we should have gone for it.

Give players like McNeil something to aim for and you might see a different player. And he is only 21.

He said a few weeks ago that he thinks a lot of players will have one eye on the World Cup and will be frightened of getting injured, well it's here and he's part of it so what has he got his eye on now?

To me, he has most of the characteristics of GomeS about him, and as usual, we've paid way over the odds for an average player.

Well, I understand that he needs time but he's 21, young and ambitious, so he should be trying to show what he's all about now. He plays well in very short spells, really short spells… then goes missing.

It's like one of those trailers they used to show on the pictures when they advertised next week's attractions and showed you all the best bits, then when you went next week to see the full film it was bleedin' crap.

Come on, lad, time doesn't stand still, it waits for no man.

I don't think there's any excuses for midfield players being out of the game for long periods, and especially not now that a manager can make 5 subs.

Onana is massively limited.

Mykolenko was written off after a match, Patterson before he'd barely kicked a ball because unfounded rumours surfaced that Duncan didn't rate him.

He's settling into an underperforming team with limited options in front of the midfield.

No excuses and he needs to stop going missing, that's a valid point.

I think he'll come good.