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Photo credit: Alamy.com I was scrolling through Amazon when I came across a banner ad with the words “You’re in Jets country” written in bold letters against a green background.  “You’re in Jets country.” “Jets” referred to the New York Jets, a National Football League team. A quick Google search found that each of the other 31 NFL teams had their own version of this message.  I took a long pause at the word “country”. By using this word, these banners seemed to communicate that their team’s culture and fans are distinct from the rest of the league, to the extent that their fans could almost call themselves an autonomous group.  But how could every fan believe this? As a Jets fan myself, I knew my team was in the shadow of the New York Yankees, Giants, and Knicks. How could every fanbase point to an overused slogan, and believe it as an accurate representation of themselves?  To start off, it would be good to understand the intent behind the use of “country"; all 32 NFL teams are within the United States of America, after all. The answer becomes clearer after evaluating the socio-political landscape of our country.  Trust in the federal government has been diminishing for a long time: A 2022 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center  found that 20% of adult Americans have trust in their federal government, a sharp decline from 54% support only two decades ago. The study also revealed that 67%-69% of Americans believe the federal government does not adequately address lower-middle class issues, like high taxes. The general feeling of distrust in our federal government has sparked a resurgence of tribalist sentiments. In other words, when citizens begin to distrust their government, the response is often to turn to more grassroots, community-run organizations where they feel they can have an impact.  Humans often prefer to live in smaller, more intimate groups. This tendency has, however, been difficult to maintain for the past seven hundred years. Ligaya Mishan of The New York Times  proposed that this is in large part because of the diffusion of European societal development: The introduction of the printing press made it so that face-to-face communication, a critical element in maintaining tribal associations, was less necessary to remain integrated in a society. Similarly, border-based societies—which define communities based on their location, not beliefs—tend to arbitrarily divide up land. Instead of creating new communities, border societies usually divide old ones. However, the advent of the internet has resurrected tribal instincts. Modern day citizens no longer seem to be tied down to people in their proximity: Anyone can join an internet group chat with members across the world that share their beliefs and customs. Internet algorithms feed us information and recommend users whom we already agree with, cementing our beliefs and blocking out new perspectives, creating cyber-tribes in the process.  Teams can use social media to promote tribal culture even beyond game day. Photo Credit: Contentstaium.com Humans often act aggressively online when faced with an opposite viewpoint. According to PubMed Central , strong identification with a community’s view increases the chances that a counter viewpoint will be met with an aggressive response. This is compounded by the fact that users do not see each other in person, and so are more likely to speak with less discretion. The result of all of this? A person can completely disassociate from their physical neighbor, while simultaneously localizing themself to global communities, limited only by the strength of their fingertips. And though these global communities may not look similar to intimate tribes, they share the core quality of a group of people united under the principles, beliefs, and iconography. It’s tribalism… on steroids.  Where does the Jets banner fit in with all of this , you ask? Competition between two sports teams is analogous to that of two tribes fighting each other. Fans will slather paint representing their team’s colors over their faces, and wear their team's patterns on their bodies. Fans demand revenge for past defeats, and recall victories to rouse supporters and terrify opponents.  Although sports tribalism was present long before the internet, sports teams in the internet age have learned how to monetize our tribal passions. A study conducted by the Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise  found that, if a fan increased their spending on team products, both their support of their team and hatred for their opponents would increase as well. Today, the modern fan experience is so much more than a Sunday afternoon hotdog at the stadium. Sports fans are enveloped on a weekly basis by notifications from their sports team’s social media accounts, collaborations between their team and other brands, and constant discussions about team news on forums. Most American sports teams have little to distinguish themselves fundamentally from each other—most are conglomerates or owned by multi-billionaires, whose ability to change the team’s location means their connection with the fans is dispensable—but increasing team identification, no matter how phony, is a guarantee of long-term profits. The owner of the NFL Rams, Stan Kroenke, moved the team back to Los Angeles in 2016 because of St. Louis' decline as a city, stranding their St. Louis fanbase. “This team was here for forty-nine years…This is the great history of the Los Angeles  Rams,” Kroenke said in an interview. Photo Credit: Los Angeles Times One phony example of team identity is—you guessed it—the Jets banner, which says a lot without saying much at all. Nothing unique about the history of the New York Jets, nothing to distinguish the franchise’s years of history. Just change the color and slap on the Jet’s logo, that’ll do. Think that's the only example? Let's take a snippet from the New York Jet’s official fight song, Let’s go Jets . Go go go go Jets! Let's go go Jets! Let's show them how to move that ball! Let's go go go Jets; The mighty green will beat them all. You are New York's best! The pride of North, South, East and West! You're the greatest Jets! C'mon and let's go go go Jets!  Completely devoid of individual team character. Other teams have this issue, too. Skol Vikings , Fly Eagles Fly , and Hail to the Commanders  are equally generic songs. Listen for yourself. Not every team’s fans rely on superficial or generic trappings—non-generic manifestations of fandom are common if you head across the Atlantic Ocean. For Crystal Palace, a European football team, one-hundred and twenty years had gone by without a single major trophy, yet Selhurst Park’s twenty-five thousand seats fill up nearly every matchday. Instead of flimsy foam pointer hands or plastic cheese heads, Crystal Palace fans turn up to match days with knitted scarves. This tradition  started when families began making their own scarves to protect against the cold, a tradition far removed from the commercial exploitation we see in the United States. Palace’s management has a transparent, tight-knit relationship with the fans, fostered by the Fan Advisory Board  which meets at least twice a year. When Crystal Palace finally won their first trophy, the Football Association cup against Manchester City on Saturday, the fans were right behind their team the entire time .  This could be America’s reality too, only that it doesn’t seem to matter to fans. Supporters will proudly bellow their fight song after a touchdown, unbothered by its unoriginality, and shell out forty dollars for a scoop of ice cream in a miniature football helmet. Teams reward their longtime fans’ support by jacking up ticket prices. This has two major adverse effects on many loyal fans: it either makes seasonal attendance unrealistic for some, or forces some fans to sacrifice basic household necessities in favor of supporting their “family”.  You might have been expecting me to propose a clear-cut solution. The truth is that concrete change can only come from the team's executive board, or if enough fans protest. Like I already mentioned, however, American fans show little desire to change in this regard. And if we American fans are content living in our walled garden, then that’s really what we deserve.

Liverpool 3–1 Tottenham Hotspur Liverpool came into this game in extremely disappointing form. For the whole of January, they hadn’t managed a single goal, and their chances to retain the title were slipping away. Tottenham were in fairly good form and looked to settle the score from the reverse fixture, where they lost 2-1 at Anfield. Liverpool were by far the more dominant force in this game. The Reds may have had a “weak” line up compared to a totally fit squad, but they showed yet again that skill can come from hard work alone. Trent Alexander-Arnold, who before this match was being criticized for not producing, set the wrongs right, and pulled off his best performance of the season. He was a menace in the attack, and a colossus in defense. Jordan Henderson, who only a few seasons ago was laughed at for being “no Steven Gerrard” (a Liverpool club legend)   proved yet again why he is Liverpool’s key player, injecting much needed energy into their defense.  Usually Henderson would be playing as a midfielder, but due to Liverpool’s injury woes, the skipper, along with other players, will have to switch positions. Unfortunately for the Reds, Joel Matip suffered yet another injury, which could leave him out for weeks. That being said, it was a great team performance from the Reds. The first Liverpool goal came when Henderson lofted a delicious ball onto the chest of Sadio Mané. The Senegal international then squared it into the box, for Roberto Firmino to tap home. However, Hugo Lloris will be frustrated that he didn’t pick it up; a lack of communication between him and Eric Dier allowed for the ball to get past them both. The second goal happened when Mané made a lovely turn to get into the box. His shot, aimed towards the far corner, was palmed away by Hugo Lloris. However, the ball fell right into the path of Alexander-Arnold, who half volleyed the rebound into the opposite corner, giving Lloris no chance. Again, Lloris will be disappointed with himself that he didn’t secure the initial shot. The Reds sealed the deal late on, when Alexander-Arnold put in another great cross. Again, it probably should have been dealt with, this time it being Joe Rodon’s fault for not clearing the ball. Mané was on the end of the cross, firing the ball into the roof of the net, unstoppable for any keeper. Liverpool are well and truly back. This was quite the disappointing game for Tottenham. You could really tell that something was off- Jose Mourinho, who is normally reserved during the game, was animated all throughout, yelling at his players. Now, we don’t know who he was yelling at exactly, but we know who was royally messing up. For starters, the entire Spurs defense. Not a single player in the back three filled me with much confidence. All three of the goals that the Lilywhites conceded were preventable-- from the lapses in concentration, as well as from miscommunication. Lloris was at fault for the first two goals, and Rodon, who I really like as a young center back, made a complete mess of the third goal, not seeing Mané behind him. All in all, this was definitely a game to forget for the back line. In midfield, Matt Doherty and Serge Aurier were overwhelmed by the relentlessness of the Liverpool midfield, who won the ball back with ease. This was no doubt an evening to put behind them as well. However, there were a few positives to take from this game for Tottenham. For instance, their attack was as cynical as ever. More specifically, Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min. In fact, the duo almost opened the scoring early on in the third minute, when Kane released Son with an excellent pass, through the Liverpool back four. The South Korean took one touch, and rifled a low shot under Alisson. However, replays showed that during the build up to the goal, Son’s foot was marginally offside. The goal that Spurs did get was a beauty. From inside the box, Aurier passed the ball out of the area to an unmarked Pierre Højberg. The Dane thrashed the ball from 20 yards with the outside of his boot into the far corner, leaving Allisons to dive in vain. What a way for Højberg to score his first goal in Tottenham colors. Still, at the end of the day, Spurs came away with nothing, and that’s what matters most.  Liverpool come out of this scintillating game victorious. The red side of Merseyside were simply too good for Jose Mourinho’s team, and Liverpool will be looking to rejoin the title race after a fantastic away performance. For Tottenham, they know that they have what it takes to bounce back from defeat, and will soon clash with Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea in early February to do so. Manchester United 0–0 Arsenal   Both Manchester United and Arsenal were in fine form entering this game, so it was hard to guess a winner. However, Manchester United needed a win more than Arsenal did, as the Red Devils were still contending for the title, and had just lost an embarrassing game at home to Sheffield United. ‘ Arsenal were constantly put under pressure, but they responded to it, keeping a clean sheet. While Arsenal’s center backs had a slightly shaky game today (mainly David Luiz), the rest of the team made up for it. Thomas Partey, one of the driving forces behind the Gunner’s defense, showed his positioning qualities just like he did for Atletico Madrid. Hector Bellerín had a really solid performance today as well, although he was outpaced and was physically lacking for some parts of the game. However, none of this would have mattered if it weren’t for Bernd Leno. The German was simply sensational today, pulling off one of the saves of the season. Fred received the ball on the edge of the penalty box, and curled a shot that was destined for the top corner. However, Leno was there, nicking the ball out with a fingertip save. That was just one of many important stops the German made to keep the Gunners level. In my opinion, he was definitely the man of the match.  Just because Arsenal were very stout defensively, doesn’t mean that they didn’t have their fair share of chances to score. Alexandre Lacazette could have opened the scoring in the 65th minute from a free kick. The Frenchman’s curled effort from right outside the box left David De Gea flat footed, but hit the woodwork. Only a few seconds later, a ball that was lofted into the box by Luke Shaw, and deflected onto the feet of Smith-Rowe. The youngster hit a dangerous shot, but De Gea was there to make a great save. Martin Ödegaard’s debut for the Gunners wasn’t too eventful, as he was subbed in late and didn't make too much of an impact. However, Arsenal needed someone to make an impact, and that person would have been Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Arsenal's main man is programmed for big games like these. Unfortunately, the striker was out yet again, due to family matters. I feel that if the ball had come to Aubamayang instead of Smith-Rowe, Arsenal would have come away with three points. Nevertheless, they must be content with a point, as they could have gotten nothing.  Man United will be FUMING after they missed an opportunity to collect three massive points against a top six club. The red side of Manchester had 5 really good opportunities, but all were squandered by poor finishing. Anthony Martial is one of the most inconsistent Premier League strikers that I have seen for a long time. One match, he could be scoring in the Manchester derby, but another day like today, he could be totally off. Martial bumbled around for the rest of the game, after being subbed on early because of Scott McTominay’s injury. Another player who was a shadow of himself was Marcus Rashford. The England International is the most consistent goal scorer for the Red Devils, but today simply wasn’t his day. He just didn’t look focused. Rashford received the ball just outside of the six yard box, and you would have bet that he would have tucked it away. However, he took too long, trying to skill his marker out. Soon, the goal was obscured by defenders. That was probably the best chance that United had to score, and he blew it with his arrogance. Because of all of the chances that United had to score, not many would be surprised to hear that the midfield was excellent today. Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba were again instrumental in the majority of those chances. However, I did notice that many of their great opportunities came from crosses on the wings, rather than what they normally do, which is feed passes through the middle. That being said, it's good news for them to know that they have another source of dangerous passes: Luke Shaw. He played a more advanced role than usual. I must say, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should keep him playing like he did today, and if he does, United may have another trick up their sleeve. On the right side of the field, I would like to see more from Aaron Wan-Bissaka. His performances have been relatively quiet, but on a good day he can be impenetrable. All the good things aside, this has still been a case of United bottling three points. Manchester United will feel the most hard done by this match, as their chance to close on first place Manchester City crumbles, leaving them four points behind. Arsenal will have to be happy with this draw as well, but will have to prepare for yet another tough game, this time against Wolves.

In a world where money is king, advertisements are everywhere. The footballing world is no different.  Long ago, football kits were brandless on the front. From Liverpool’s striking red kits to Real Madrid’s pure white jerseys, from Chelsea’s royal blue to the red and white stripes of Bayern Munich, football jerseys were at their peak, carrying prestige and honor.  Then came Coventry city in 1978 with the first shirt sponsor Talbot, an automobile company which plummeted into obscurity only a decade later. This singular sponsorship completely changed the landscape of the game. Clubs realized the untapped value of shirt sponsors, and soon every major club had a brand over their kit. Nowadays, all you need to do is look at any Liga MX game, and you’ll see brands plastered all over the football kits, with teams using every square inch of their jerseys to advertise.  While the jumble of brands that are on Liga MX kits may look crazy when compared to other jerseys in the world, it’s still a fact that teams these days prioritize top sponsors on their jerseys to make the most money. When Nottingham Forest announced their home jersey for the 2022/23 season, the usual pattern went out the window. Shocked fans fled to social media to see if it was true. And there on Nottingham’s kit reveal page, where the brand BOXT used to be displayed in large print last season, was now an empty space.  This surprised many, as newly promoted teams like Nottingham Forest usually need as much income as they can get to stay up for the next season. With no shirt sponsor, Nottingham Forest were forfeiting a key source of revenue.  Now, if you do the research you will know that Nottingham Forest's choice to not have a kit sponsor was NOT based on morals or the need to preserve sporting integrity. In fact, Evangelos Marinakis, the owner of Nottingham Forest, chose to go brandless because he had been waiting for a sponsor that offered 10 million pounds a year, and never got the offer. After subverting everyone’s expectations for their on-the-pitch performances by avoiding relegation, Forest once again broke the internet by choosing Kaiyun Sports to be their front shirt sponsor for the 2023/24 season. While this marked the end of Forests’ experimentation with an empty kit, many online pleaded for the phenomenon of brandless kits to continue.  In many ways, this is more than just about football kits. This is a call to return to simplicity, when money didn’t control everything that players did. Even a small change can make a big difference in the long run.  While most teams relationships with sponsors have been strictly advertisement based, there are examples of brands somewhat taking over the club. The most notable example of this is Red Bull’s purchases of multiple clubs, and completely rebranding them. The energy drink giants currently sponsor a total of five soccer clubs around the world, across three continents.  Taking majority ownership of a club would be fine, if Red Bull was simply putting its badge on the shirts. However, Red Bull have gone way beyond that, completely re-shaping the identities of these clubs, alienating the fanbase, and whitewashing their actions. The most telling example is that of SV Austria Salzburg, a club which was founded in the 1930s. Die Mozartstädter, as the  club’s faithful called themselves, was bought by Red Bull in 2005. With this purchase, the company was able to change board members, which essentially allowed the club to make its own decisions. In the years that followed, SV Austria Salzburg was renamed Red Bull Salzburg, the club's logo was changed to Red Bulls’, and the club's distinct Purple shirt was swapped for a corporate white kit. A company re-writing a club's history isn’t the only way that brands compromise the integrity of football. Certain brands may represent values that are questionable for the people watching, for example, those that provide age restricted services. With such a world-wide audience, do we really want to have kids seeing their favorite players on screen, with giant ads about gambling on their shirts? Is that what we want these kids to associate with success?  This points to a key reason why some believe that shirts should be sponsorless. It demonstrates that the integrity of the club and the sport comes before everything else, even before major paychecks. On the international level, a situation where brands sponsor countries could be a recipe for disaster. Brands may lack the cultural awareness that is necessary to maintain harmony. For example, drinking is forbidden in Muslim countries, yet alcohol companies such as Budweiser is a World Cup sponsor. We already saw this conflict in the 2022 FIFA World Cup when Qatar banned alcohol sales in stadiums, and we could see even more conflict if Muslim countries share the field with alcohol-sponsored countries.  Thankfully, we see footballing integrity from the kits of the national teams. For example, check the jerseys of the Brazilian national team. While training, you'll see brands like the Guaraná logo plastered all over the kit. However, once the team steps on the field, the iconic yellow shirt and badge is left on its own, not obstructed by some juice company. The fact is that FIFA prohibits the use of brand logos on the actual playing kits. Now, FIFA claims that this is to protect the integrity of the sport, but even if it's just about blocking outside sponsors from getting attention at major tournaments (it does seem likely given what we know about FIFA), isn’t it great to see the kits as themselves and not covered by a gambling website? In my opinion, this is the way forward. I don't think that eliminating brading from all aspects of the sport is possible. Obviously not; there's always a desire for advertisement with clubs needing funding, and companies wanting exposure. But there's a way to advertise without making it intrusive. Keeping the brands off the shirts is a vital way of maintaining the integrity of this beautiful sport.

ENGLAND VERSUS ITALY LINEUPS:  ENGLAND: PICKFORD, WALKER, STONES, MAGUIRE, TRIPPIER, PHILLIPS, RICE, SHAW, STERLING, MOUNT, KANE ITALY: DONNARUMMA, DI LORENZO, BONUCCI, CHIELLINI, EMERSON,  BARELLA, JORGINHO, VERRATTI, CHIESA, IMMOBILE, INSIGNE It's the EURO 2020 final! England and Italy lock horns at Wembley. England are looking to win their first title in 55 years, but they have to face their toughest opponent yet. Italy know that they won't have the support of the fans, as the final is located in London, so they will have to be razor focused tonight. KICKOFF: ITALY 0–0 ENGLAND Italy kick off the EURO 2020 Final! England quickly take back possession, and it seems that they want to be on the front foot to start this game. Harry Maguire miscued a pass to Jordan Pickford, giving Italy the first corner kick of the night. England just need to calm their nerves right now. The corner kick is cleared away. Luke Shaw finds Kane in a pocket of space in midfield… Kane releases Kieran Trippier on the right wing with a good pass…who crosses it into the box for Luke Shaw, AND BURIES IT!!! GGGGOOOOAAAAALL!! England strike first in the final! England exploited the one weakness in the Italian defense. Leonardo Spinazzola (Italy's starting left back) was injured, meaning that Emerson, a weaker option, had to start. Emerson didn’t pick up on Trippier’s run, a costly error. Kyle Walker FINDS TRIPPIER WITH A THROUGH BALL, AND HE FIZZES IT IN…!!! But Giorgio Chiellini is there to block it. England are continuing to pile on the pressure, and this normally rock-solid Italian defense is really showing some cracks. England right now are much more organized than their opponents.  Harry Kane has dropped very deep into midfield, and is playing as more of a CAM when the team transitions from defense. Right now it's working extremely well, as England now have more players in midfield than Italy. This really seems to be disrupting the Italian midfield, who have more on their plate now. Jorginho needs to find a way around the England midfield, who are finding ways to cut out his passes. Italy needs to impose themselves more. Italy seems to have woken up after their shocking start. Their front 3 are making more penetrative runs, and England have taken their foot off the pedal, at least for now. The Three Lions seem happy to sit back, and are looking to hit the Italians on the counter attack. Italy are closing England down much faster than before, and their attacks have more purpose. Here comes Italy….Lorenzo Insigne takes the shot…! Though it travels wide of the post, the warning signs are there for England: Italy are starting to boss the midfield. Leading up to Insigne’s attempt on goal, the Azzurri   are slotting the ball around so smoothly that Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips can merely watch. Italy’s passing is quick, and each Italian player knows where to go to receive it, like a 6th sense.  Italy are really asserting themselves in the game right now. They are having success playing through the middle, thanks to Jorginho who is showing why he is Italy’s midfield fulcrum. Because Rice and Phillips are the only two English midfielders, even if they are playing well, they are still at a numerical disadvantage. If Jorginho can get past the pressure of the English front three, that attack can become much deadlier.  Here comes Federico Chiesa… gets past two defenders, AND TAKES THE SHOT ON…! Agonizingly wide….Chiesa shows again that he could be the difference in this game. He’s explosive, unpredictable, and best (or worst) of all, if you try to go one-on-one against him, he’ll skill his way past you, the embarrassment is comparable to letting him pull  your pants down. While Italy don’t have an out-and-out #9 like England have with Kane, they have multiple goal threats, something I would argue is better. England are starting to bite back again, after being in a low block for most of this half. Shaw and Trippier are combining expertly with Kane and others, and when both fullbacks push up, the formation is more of a 3-4-3, from what originally was a 5-2-3. England is finding pockets of space behind the Italian fullbacks, with the likes of Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling exploiting the areas. The first half is almost over, but if England can still find those gaps in the Italian defense even after the break—well, let's just say it won't be good for Italy. HALF TIME: ITALY 0–1 ENGLAND   England get the second half underway!  Italy is on the attack again! Chiesa dribbles into the box before FIZZING A SHOT IN, AND INSIGNE TAKES THE SHOT!!! BLOCKED! Jordan Pickford makes an excellent stop at his near post, from point blank range. It was an even better run from Insigne, who did well to not be noticed by the English defense. Also good news for Italy, Ciro Immobole has now been substituted for Domenico Berardi, who is much more incalculable than the former. Italy is really knocking on the door now…  It's the hour mark, and both teams are still looking threatening. Italy still needs a goal, and England wants to solidify their lead. The game has become much more open, both England and Italy willing to push their players high up the field when they have the ball. It's not end-to-end football, but still entertaining. Chiesa puts in ANOTHER CROSS…!! Headed away by Maguire for a corner. Can the Three Lions be breached? Insigne puts in a cross from the corner, FLICKED ONTO VERRATTI WHO HEADS IT OFF THE BAR, BUT  IT’S POKED HOME BY LEONARDO BONUCCI!!!! GGGGGOOOOAAAALLLL!!!  The 34-year-old scores just his 8th goal for the Azzurri , but what a time to do so! It was real scramble in the box, so the England defenders couldn’t keep track of who they were supposed to mark. 1–1!   Italy seem even more motivated, after their goal, to close down any loose balls, and to win back possession if they give it up. It's so suffocating that England are finding it hard to even get out of their own half. However, Italy can be careless when they are challenging for the ball, and should be receiving more yellow cards for their clumsy tackles, if it weren’t for the ref being pretty lenient. In fact, Kane was chopped down by Jorginho who made no attempt at the ball at one point, but the ref decided there was nothing in it.  Bonucci pings the ball over the defense to DOMENICO BERARDI, WHO VOLLIES HIS SHOT…!!! Over the bar. The forward did well to get in behind the defense, but he couldn't keep his effort down and below the bar. Berardi has been a great substitution so far. England have to be on their toes at all times.  England needs to hold on. They’re trying to intercept those quick passes, but are too slow, and get dragged out of position, which the Italians capitalize on. Most notably, Chiesa is a nightmare for Walker to mark, as he is wreaking havoc on the wing, popping out of nowhere to cut inside and deliver a ball or take the shot. Chiesa dispossesses Bukayo Saka… HE DRIBBLES PAST WALKER, but is shouldered off the ball in the end. Chiesa is on the ground now, writhing in pain. Medics surround him, there looks to be something wrong with his ankle. Chiesa is coming off the field, replaced by Federico Bernardeschi. A huge sucker punch; Chiesa’s been critical in stretching the Three Lions’ backline. FULL TIME: ITALY 1–1 ENGLAND We head to extra time! EXTRA TIME (KICKOFF): ITALY 1–1 ENGLAND Jordan Henderson receives the ball from a poor Italy giveaway, and PLAYS IT TO STERLING WHO’S ON GOAL…! CHIELLINI TO THE RESCUE! The 36-year-old did ever so well to close Sterling down, and got his foot in the way before the Manchester City man put a cross in the box. No matter how dominant the Azzurri are in midfield, they need to keep in mind that England have much faster players and could be lethal on the counterattack. Jack Grealish has been subbed onto the field. It’s a head scratcher that he hasn’t gotten more minutes in the final, considering what he brings to the table. He’s the English version of Chiesa—a fast, versatile winger with a bag of tricks up his sleeve. What can he do in the limited time Gareth Southgate has given him? EXTRA TIME (HALF TIME): ITALY 1–1 ENGLAND Bonucci finds Andrea Belotti with a lateral pass that goes right down the middle of England. Maguire has to foul Belotti in order to stop further damage. England still haven’t found a way to stop Italy’s ball playing center halfs, and now they have a dangerous free kick to deal with. Bernardeshi takes the kick…! But it's straight into the hands of Pickford.  Sterling plays a one-two with Henderson on the edge of the box, AND STERLING HAS GOTTEN PAST  CHIELLINI…!! BUT AGAIN THE 36-YEAR-OLD RECOVERS AND MAKES THE TACKLE! England are finally showing their talons, and the Italians can stop playing cards. Sterling’s vision pries open the gaps, and Henderson, as distributor, is a great sub for Rice. But it happens too late: the final whistle blows! The game will be decided by a penalty shootout! EXTRA TIME (FULL TIME): ITALY 1–1 ENGLAND PENALTY KICKS: ITALY 0–0 ENGLAND Berardi steps up and slots his penalty into the lower left corner! (1–0) Kane scores! Donnarumma guesses the right way, but it’s too powerful. (1–1) Belotti MISSES! It’s a poor penalty, and Pickford guesses right. (1–1) Maguire slots it into the top corner! A great goal, and England are ahead! (1–2) Bonucci clips the ball over Pickford—a composed finish! Italy are still in this! (2–2) RASHFORD HITS THE POST! He didn’t seem confident, and it's all level again! (2–2) Bernardeschi steps up and coolly slots his effort down the middle! (3–2) SANCHO’S EFFORT IS SAVED!  Italy can win the final if they score next! (3–2) PICKFORD DENIES JORGINHO!! The goalkeeper palms the effort onto the post! England still needs to convert the last penalty, or Italy wins! (3–2) SAKA’S SHOT IS AGAIN SAVED BY DONNARUMMA!!!  END OF PENALTY KICKS: ITALY 3–2 ENGLAND Italy WIN the EUROS! England’s 55 years of hurt will go on, and while they might still have a great team coming into the 2022 World Cup, will they ever have a better chance to win? The Three Lions played 6 out of their 7 games at home, but somehow they still bottled it. As for Italy, its coming Rome! The Azzurri are the deserved winners, and add yet another piece silverware into their trophy cabinet.  Thank you so much for following my blog this past season, it really means a lot. I’ll see you soon!

Man city 2–0 PSG (4-1 Aggregate) Emirates Stadium May 4th, 2021 Pre Game Man City’s 2–1 win in Paris, gives them a huge chance of going through to the final. But PSG know how to score away goals, too. Post Game Man City are through to their first ever Champions League final, after another dominant display. It was City’s game to lose, and they held on, unlike other years, but they were tested all night by PSG, who desperately needed goals. But it’s hard  to score against someone like Ruben Dias. Tonight, he threw himself at every loose ball and made back-breaking tackles to prevent PSG from scoring. It was only a year ago that City were relying on the likes of Ottomendi and Benjamin Mendy, who couldn’t produce. Now, after a successful transfer market, City seem to have no weak link. However, it did get pretty nerve racking when City almost conceded a few times. They have the bar to thank, as Marquinos’s header ricocheted off of it. Angel Di Maria had a golden chance to score on an empty net, but his shot was wide. Besides those hair-raising plays, it was a very good showing from their backline. Man City’s first goal came at the beginning of the match. From inside of his box, Ederson pinned a super ball to Alexander Zinchenko who was inside opposition territory, and unmarked. Zinchenko played it back to Kevin De Bruyne, and his deflected shot fell to Mahrez. The Algerian was calm, and slotted the ball underneath Keylor Navas’s legs from a tight angle. That’s what makes Man City so deadly. You think you have them where you want them, and then, BAM! One of their players does something magical and puts you on the ropes. Man City drove the last nail into PSG’s coffin with a devastating counter attack. De Bruyne received the ball from his own half, and found Foden with space. Foden then played a one-two with De Bruyne, and crossed the ball in. Mahrez was on the end of it, again unmarked, and fired it beyond a helpless Navas. City’s performance earns them a spot in the biggest game in the world. PSG put up a good fight, but their first-leg nightmare came back to haunt them. Mauricio Pochettino’s side knew that they needed goals right from kick off, pushing players higher than they normally would have. This in turn left them exposed in the back. I don’t blame his decision, because on my football team, my coach likes to push players up when we are down by some goals. The worst thing that can happen is them scoring more against us. However, I think that PSG’s defending was very questionable. For both goals that they conceded, they failed to mark Mahrez. Even after going 1–0 down because of his goal, they didn’t mark him for the counter attack. Pochettino will definitely be concerned with that aspect.  If there was one part of PSG that I liked, it was their midfield. Marco Verratti and Leandro Paredes passed well, and retained good ball possession. PSG’s midfield was fouled many times throughout the game, a clear sign the opposition is having difficulty containing those players. If it weren’t for them, then PSG wouldn’t have had chances to score, such as Marquinos’s missed header. Still on the topic of midfield, I need to talk about Di Maria’s very disappointing performance. The Argentinian has gotten lots of praise from me, because he’s such an excellent player, week in and week out. The second leg was a night to forget. He played so many poor passes, seeming like a shadow of himself. And then, he decides it's ok to stamp on the heel of a City player out of frustration. I know that other PSG players also angrily fouled Man City too, but from a man of his experience, I expected Di Maria to be more calm and composed, in arguably the most important game of the season.  Man City move on to the Champions League final, where they play either Chelsea or Real Madrid! The treble is still in sight for Pep and his team. As for PSG, they will now fully focus on defending the League A title. It's not going to be easy, as Lille are in first place, a point ahead of them. Chelsea 2–0 Real Madrid (3–1 Aggregate) Stamford Bridge May 5th, 2021 Pre Game Chelsea are looking to turn heads by knocking Real Madrid out of the Champions League. Chelsea scored an away goal (which counts as 2), but Real Madrid only have to score once to bring themselves level. Post Game Chelsea are through to the final, with one of the best displays this season! The Londoners never let Real Madrid find their rhythm. In defense, they were quick to compress, and when attacking, they sprung into the opposition half. Many players performed well for Chelsea, but the best player was undoubtedly N’Golo Kante. Kante really has a habit of making the world’s best players look Sunday league quality. Kante intercepted pass after pass, humiliating Toni Kross and Casimiro. I have no doubt in my mind that an in-form Kante is the best in his position. Two other players who impressed me a lot as well were Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic. The way that these two youngsters handled the experienced Madrid players, really encapsulated their form at the moment. Mount was influential in almost every attack, passing well, and finding space in-between the Madrid defenders. Pulisic has become an impactful substitute for Chelsea, injecting his energy when the opposition is tiring to deadly effect. If I had one criticism of Chelsea, it would be that they couldn’t score. Many golden opportunities were missed, or were saved by Thibaut Courtois.  They managed to put the game to bed, but it could be a slight concern when they face Manchester City. Chelsea’s first goal was created by Kante. The France International played a one-two with Timo Werner, then found Kai Havertz who was unmarked on the in the box. His clipped shot bounced back off the bar, but rebounded to Timo Werner. The German couldn't miss (unlike every other time he’s missed) heading into an empty net. The Blue’s second goal was again thanks to Kante. The 30-year-old won a 50/50 with Nacho Fernandes, then played the ball to Pulisic. Captain America was flooded with defenders, yet somehow picked out Mount inside the 6 yard box. The Englishman sent the ball beyond Courtois, and sent Chelsea beyond Real Madrid. It's yet another fantastic night for Chelsea. Real Madrid are headed back to Spain with their heads bowed. Los Blancos needed to dominate, if they were to find the back of the net. Instead, Madrid were frail, static, and couldn’t break down a confident Chelsea squad. As a comparison, in the first leg, Real Madrid burst into life after a poor first 45. Modric and Kroos sparked life into Madrid during that game, helping them equalize. Not so the second leg. Substitute Rodrygo tried to bring energy into their midfield 3, but it was too little too late. Give credit where credit is due, and Courtois deserves high praise for his saves. He denied Haverts and Kante who were both through on goal. He almost never disappoints nowadays. Even in pressure cooker situations, he’s as cool as a cucumber. On the other hand, his teammate and also former Chelsea teammate, Eden Hazard, was ineffective as always. You would think that a game against his former team would be the perfect match to silence your critics. I can’t see Hazard being in Zidane's plans now. The Spanish capital did have a handful of chances. In the first half, Karim Benzema took a shot from just outside of the penalty box. It curved, but Eduard Mendy palmed it away. Likewise, Benzema had another opportunity when his head connected with Modric’s cross. Again, Mendy was there to save the day, springing into the air like a coil and slapping it over the net. It was from close range, a good reaction save. Hazard had a half chance, too. Nacho Fernandes found Hazard inside of the 18 yard box, and from a tight angle, hit his shot right at Mendy’s legs. It was a good move from Hazard to find the pocket of space, but he shouldn’t have taken the shot, as Benzema was also there, asking for a cross. Besides that, Real Madrid didn’t look very threatening. Whenever they tried to pass their way in, they would be dispossessed. This forced them to play long passes, weird considering that they have some of the best playmakers in the world. Real Madrid needs other people other than Benzema to step up.  Chelsea can now start to pack their bags for Istanbul where they’ll face Manchester City. As I wrote this, Chelsea beat Man City 2–1 in the Premier League. Could Chelsea have planted seeds of doubt in Man City’s minds? We’ll find out in three weeks! As for Real Madrid, they focus the rest of their energy towards defending the La Liga title.

Chelsea 1–1 Real Madrid Chelsea are the visitors coming into this game and, having dispatched Porto in the quarterfinals, are full of confidence. Real Madrid had just won against Liverpool in the earlier round, so they had the wind in their sails as well.  Chelsea played their hearts out in the first 30 minutes of the game. They tore up the scripts, dominating ball possession. The Blues had spells of brilliance where they would make a series of sharp passes that were inch perfect, even in tight spaces. This allowed for them to get high up the field on numerous occasions. If it weren’t for the bumbling dunce that was Timo Werner, Chelsea could have put this tie to bed; the German cluelessly second-guessed himself in his usual style.  On the bright side, it was an amazing performance from N'Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic. Kante was all over the field, dispossessing Real Madrid and defusing their attacks; for this, he won  Man of the Match. Captain America (aka Pulisic) was also on fire. He was fearless throughout his time on the field. He used his trademark pace to get in behind Real Madrid's defense with ease. His well taken goal in the opening minutes boosted Chelsea’s confidence. All in all, a great team performance. Chelsea's goal was a moment of magic from Captain America. Antonio Rüdiger clipped a delicious ball over the Madrid defense for Pulisic. The 21-year-old tried to get it under control first time, but couldn't. Just when it seemed like the chance had gone, he got control of the ball. Pulisic rounded Thibaut Courtois,  before slotting the ball into the net. A moment of pure composure, on the highest stage. Pulisic really is the future of football in America.  Even before scoring, Pulisic could have gotten an assist, but Werner happened. Pulisic got on the end of Mason Mount’s cross, and headed the ball to the German, in front of goal. Werner had all of the net to aim at, but he somehow hit it straight at Tibo Courtois’s legs. While Chelsea’s finishing left something to be desired, the same could be said for their defense. They’ll be kicking themselves that they didn’t fully cover Karim Benzema, who scored the equalizer later on. Still, they head to Stamford Bridge for the second leg with a slight advantage. Real Madrid weren’t themselves on the night. They weren’t aggressive enough in the early stages of the game. Their midfield was nowhere to be seen for much of this game, which is saying something, because it contained Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Casemiro. In fact, it was a dispossession of Casemiro that resulted in the build up to Chelsea’s goal. I believe that Real Madrid's issue was that there isn’t any pace in their midifield. Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are 31 and 35, compared to Chelsea's midfield: Mount, Jorgino, and Kant é  are 22, 29, and 30 respectively. Sometimes your technique isn’t everything, and they were exposed. Another issue is Marcelo. The Brazilian is a liability now. He’s a club legend, but he’s 32, and making some questionable defensive decisions. And of course it was Karim Benzema who pulled Los Blancos out of their rut. The Frenchman almost scored two golazos, striking the post from a far out effort on his first attempt. As long as he is fit, he’ll be banging in goals. Real Madrid’s goal came from nothing, but at the same time you totally saw it happening. From a short corner, Marcelo crossed the ball into the penalty area. Raphael Varane and Éder Militão   both got their heads to hit, before it reached Benzema. He headed the ball to his foot, and volleyed the ball right past Edouard Mendy. Oh yeah, did I also mention that he had his back turned, and that he had defenders surrounding him? The awareness and the finish had to be spot on. He did both. Los Blancos’ defense was solid today, but they desperately need Sergio Ramos. Militão  isn’t a good enough replacement, even though he’s putting up good performances. Ramos is more defensively stout, plus his leadership and the fear that he stokes into his opponents when they have to face him. He’s also a goalscorer at heart. He is irreplaceable for Zinedine Zidane, which is why he needs to come back into the starting XI as soon as he is fit.  Chelsea take a slight advantage back for the second leg, having scored a crucial away goal. Real Madrid will be concerned that they didn’t score more goals at home, but know that they still have a chance to go through. Manchester City 2–1 Paris Saint-Germain Man City and PSG are both in fantastic form coming into this game. Man City have won 17 straight away games, which is why they will fancy themselves to be on the scoresheet tonight. However, PSG’s defense is one of the best in the world, and Neymar and Mbappe are both fit. A mouthwatering encounter for sure. Man City came from behind to put themselves within touching distance of their first ever Champions League final. They had a wretched first half, wasting good chances in PSG’s half, never closing down PSG’s players when they had the ball. It was crazy to see Kevin De Bruyne only a few feet from his opponent, yet not making an effort to win the ball. They didn’t even make a good enough effort to stop PSG from scoring the opener. However, all of the criticism quickly evaporated, when the second half started. Both City’s attack and defense improved, with Ruben Dias stopping Mbappe in his tracks, Riyad Mahrez’s lethal partnership with De Bruyne coming to life once again. While some may say that City don’t deserve to be winning the tie based on the goals they scored, City still had to create the chances that led to the PSG errors. Many teams wouldn’t be able to get back onto the field with such hunger after a really horrific first half display. Not many teams are Manchester City. Manchester City’s first goal was a freak of nature--from way outside of the penalty box, De Bruyne clipped in a ball for someone to try and get a head to it. Nobody was able to make contact with the cross, but the amount of bodies created a smokescreen for the ball, and Navas could only watch as the ball nestled into the corner. It was another superbly succulent supplement for scorers, yet somehow it snuck past the seldomly sucky center backs.  City’s second goal stemmed from a PSG lapse. It looked like De Bruyne would be taking a free kick from decent range, after Idrissa Gueye fouled Phil Foden. However, it was Mahrez who stepped up, and he delivered. His shot was hit with real venom, so much so that Presnel Kimpembe and Leandro Paredes, who were in the wall, jumped out of the way. Again, Navas didn’t have any time to react, and the shot sailed in. Maybe not the most deserved goals, but City won’t care a bit. Pep Guardido will be over the blue moon. PSG have shot themselves in the foot, to be frank. While Man City played terribly in the first half and played phenomenally   in the second, it was the complete opposite for the Parisians. In the first 45, PSG were in the driver's seat. Les Parisians almost toyed with City’s defense, passing so exquisitely that Man City never got in the way. In the rare instances that PSG gave up the ball, Marco Verratti and Neymar would win back possession. I really enjoyed Verratti’s performance. He fought hard for each loose ball, and I don’t remember him passing sideways once. But in the second half, they crumbled. PSG spent most of the second 45 minutes trapped in their own half. Their midfield, sharp in the first half, was now blunt. Because of this, long balls seemed the only option. Man City won many of the loose balls as a result. While the two goals PSG conceded were unlucky, you can’t say that they weren’t coming.  PSG’s goal of the night came in the first half, surprise surprise. From a corner, Angel Di Maria put in a high quality cross. Marquinos broke away from his marker, and got to the ball before anyone else. He flicked the ball into the opposite corner with lots of power. It was a beautiful goal, clearly sculpted on the training ground. PSG fluffed other chances to score, like when Mbappe failed to control a pass from Verratti. It was a very disappointing display from Mbappe, particularly in the second half where he kept getting bullied off the ball; he will want vengeance in the return leg. Manchester City take a huge advantage coming into the second leg. While things may seem bleak for those in the French capital, remember that they beat Bayern Munich 3–-2 and Barcelona 4–-1, both away. And as long as they have Neymar and Mbappe, a tie is never over.

Spurs 2–2 Everton Both Spurs and Everton come into this match that they probably have to win, if they want to have a chance at going to Europe next season. The teams above them are distancing themselves, so they both need these 3 points in the business end of the season. Spurs’s evening was on and off, with promising signs, but also worrying instances. Tottenham for most of the match were playing catch up with Everton, especially in midfield where James Rodruigez caused havoc for Mussa Sissoko and Pierre Emile Højbjerg. Sissoko and Højbjerg couldn't handle their speed and efficiency. Tottenham would rebound from the attack with an effort of their own, but that doesn’t change the fact that they could have conceded. Joe Rodon was something different to the fairly settled spurs defense, as Davidson Sanchez was placed on the bench today. He had a pretty good game, though he needs to learn to position himself better. Richalerson almost scored early on, when Rodon didn’t clear a ball that eventually rolled to the Brazilian. Hugo Lloris made some important saves to keep Tottenham in the game. His fast reactions denied Rodriguez from close range, among others. He stood no chance for the two goals that he conceded. A pat on the back for him.  Up the field, Jose Mourinho's side (Harry Kane really), sprung to life when they were given scoring opportunities. Both of the goals that he netted were from lapses in the defense, but he still had loads of work to do. For the first goal, it was all about Michael Kean’s mistake. He completely misjudged Tanguy Ndombele’s cross, heading it to Kane who was unmarked. The Englishman took one touch, and half volleyed it into the bottom corner, past Pickford. For the second goal, Kane was blessed with a similar chance. Lamelas' cross fell between Kean and Mason Holgate. Kean tried to clear the ball by heading it out, but there was a lack of communication between him and holgate. The ball bounced off Holgate’s thigh and fell to Kane, who volleyed the ball into the top corner. These chances that he gets aren’t all luck. He’s simply amazing at finding space, and exploiting it. In this instance, he was rewarded.  Everton fans may feel that their team should have won the game, and they really could have. The Toffees were outstanding in their attack, and midfield. Their success on the field was solely based in the middle of the park. Gilfi Siggurdson is one of the most underrated players in the premier league. He scored two goals on the night, and, alongside Rodruigez, produced some great link up play, that sliced and diced Spurs’s midfield diamond formation. Unfortunately for Everton, Individual mistakes cost them three valuable points. Michael Kean was mainly responsible for the two goals that Everton let in. He is normally such an important player for the blue side of Liverpool, but this was a terrible display. You would have thought that after making the first mistake like that, he would know to be more vocal and communicate more. He still didn’t learn, and now his team has to settle for a measly point, when they could have leapfrogged Tottenham into 7th place, and still be in contention for Europe. Everton's first goal was thanks to an error by Sergio Regulon. Rodruigez received the ball from a fizzed cross and was about to take a shot, but was chopped down from behind with a clumsy tackle. It was a great move from Everton’s perspective, cutting Tottenham wide open. Siggurdson stepped up, and tucked it into the far corner. A great response after just conceding. The second goal was all about the super sub, and some Siggurdson magic. Shamus Coleman had only been on the field for a matter of minutes, when he set up the second. After playing a one-two with Richalerson on the byline, he put in a good cross. Siggurdson was on the end of it, side footing the effort with loads of power, out of the reach of Lloris again. It’s a real shame that they let Spurs score right afterwards, because any neutral could see that Everton earned their two goals, definitely more than Tottenham's two. That being said, you’re only as strong as your weakest link, and that couldn’t be more true tonight. The match finishes honors even, as Tottenham comes back to equalize, in an enthralling fixture. A European place looks unlikely for either team this season, as the top 6 continue to distance themselves. Newcastle 3–2 West Ham  Newcastle are trying to distance themselves more from relegation, after their win against Burnley and their draw against Tottenham in past weeks. West Ham continue to fight for a European slot, and a win would at least temporarily send them into third place.   Newcastle played well enough in the first half and finished the job in the second half, to eek out 3 priceless points. Newcastle likes to play defensive formations, to try and absorb attacks before hitting on the counter themselves. They’ve used the 4-4-2 and the 4-5-1, among others, but they have been using the 5-3-2 formation as of late, and have been earning points with it. When going forward, they looked menacing, because of (you guessed it) Allan Saint-Maximin. The Frenchman was mightily important tonight. On paper, he plays as a strike partnership in the 5-3-2 formation, but he likes to drop deep and play as a midfielder. He should move into midfield, and Newcastle should find an out-and-out forward. Defensively, Newcastle could look shaky. If you squander a 2 goal lead, you wouldn’t exactly be given a guard of honor. Newcastle just isn’t used to being in these winning positions. Steve Bruce needs to implement an instinct to the Magpies, where they won’t become nervous, when defending a lead. The first goal from Newcastle was engineered by Saint Maximin. After receiving the ball from midfield, he weaved this way and that, until he pulled the trigger from a tight angle, inside of the box. Both Lucas Fabianski and Issa Diop try to clear it off the line, but Diop messed up his footing, and flicked the ball into the back of the net. The second goal for Newcastle came only a few minutes later. This time, it was Fabianski’s time to cower. From a corner, he grabbed hold of the crossed ball, but miraculously dropped it. Joelinton was the sharpest man in the stadium, getting to the ball first, fumbling it in. West Ham scored two goals to equalize temporarily, but late on in the game, Joseph Willock picked up Richies cross, towards goal. Fabianski got a hand to it, but he couldn’t cope with the power, and it went in. This is why Newcastle should stick to the 5-3-2 formation; their fullbacks can get high up the field, and cross the ball into dangerous areas. It paid off for them on the night.    West Ham’s individual errors cost them points, similar to the Everton versus Tottenham game. David Moyes’s philosophy was still intact today, as West Ham played effective football. In the lead up to Newcastle's second goal, Craig Dawson made a rash tackle on Joelinton, which was his second yellow of the game, and reduced the Hammers to 10 men. West Ham still played Heroically and with the same intensity, even though they had only two center backs. Lucas Fabianski had a game to forget as well, being way too calm for the corner kick, and gifting Newcastle a second goal. Fabianski has been solid all season, but this was just dreadful. Another player who won’t be watching the replays is Benjamin Johnson. He didn’t even try to head out the crossed-in ball, which gave Willock the opportunity to score. In that instance, knowing what’s on the line, all you should think about is getting the ball out. He was far too tame, and his team's efforts have, as a result, come to nothing.  The Hammers’ first goal was redemption from Diop. Jarrod Bowen put in a tempting cross form midfield, into the box. Diop beat his marker, and got his head to it. He was able to generate enough power on the ball, beating Martin Dubravka. I think Dubravka could have palmed it away, but he couldn’t react fast enough, only getting his fingertips to it. A few minutes later, West Ham got level with the Magpies, from the penalty spot. Ciaran Clark’s arm made contact with the crossed in ball, during a tussle with Tomáš Souček. Jesse Lingard was the one to take the penalty, smashing it into the goal, far from Dubravka’s reach. This really does encapsulate West Ham at the moment. They have so much belief in David Moyes, that even when they are two goals down with 10 men, they find a way to claw themselves back. The end score wasn’t so romantic for the Hammers, but they could leave the field holding their heads high. Even in defeat, they still continue to impress.  West Ham travel back to West London empty handed. That being said, they still showed spirit, courage, and unity, all qualities of a great team. Newcastle are now up to 15th place with these points, and may just be able to breathe easy now.

LINEUPS CHELSEA: MENDY, AZPILICUETA, SILVA, RÜDIGER, JAMES, KANTÉ, JORGINHO, CHILWELL, HAVERTZ, MOUNT, WERNER MANCHESTER CITY: EDERSON, WALKER, STONES, DIAS, ZINCHENKO, SILVA, GÜNDOGAN, FODEN, MAHREZ, DE BRUYNE, STERLING It's the Champions League Final! Chelsea and Manchester City go toe-to-toe for the third time in six weeks. Both lineups have been announced, and there isn't a central defensive midfielder (CDM) in City’s starting XI. This is confusing for many, because a CDM will be needed to counter many of Chelsea’s attacking options and shield City’s back four. But Pep Guardiola knows what he’s doing. KICK OFF: MANCHESTER CITY 0–0 CHELSEA  It's a nervous start to the game, which is expected considering this is the biggest game of most of these players' careers. Both sides are trying to get into the rhythm of the match, but Man City look a bit more settled. The Sky Blues have so many attacking options on the field that Chelsea will have to keep an eye on everyone.  Ederson plays A GOOD PASS TO RAHEEM STERLING…! But Sterling’s first touch is poor and Reece James is able to clear out the ball. That was a good chance. A year ago, you would have bet your house that he would score from that, but in recent weeks he's been off. It's a bit of a wonder why Guardiola chose to start Sterling after the form that he’s had, but I guess you can’t question Pep.  Chelsea are finding their legs, too. Although City are retaining more possession, Chelsea are compact and can hit them on the break. Chelsea are bypassing City’s defense with long passes and winning the 50/50s. At the moment, it’s working. MASON MOUNT HAS DISPOSSESSED JOHN STONES, AND PASSES IT TO TIMO WERNER…!!! But the German fluffed his lines again, as his shot was weak and hit straight at Ederson. Someone has to throw cold water on him and tell him he’s in a Champions League Final, not on the training ground.  Chelsea are playing well; they just need to finish their chances. Here comes City… Kevin De Bruyne FINDS PHIL FODEN IN SPACE…!!! But Antonio Rüdiger makes a lunging tackle to block the shot. Even when Chelsea are playing better, all City need is one decent chance to score first. It's more magic from De Bruyne again, who found Foden with expertise.  This is not a good sign for Chelsea… Thaigo Silva seems to have picked up an injury and can no longer play. Chelsea's leader will be on the sidelines for this game, with an hour still to go. Andreas Christiensen has replaced the Brazilian defender. Fortunately for the Blues, Chelsea's midfield is really bringing it to City. Mount has been playing some great passes, while N’Golo Kanté has been all over the field, picking up loose balls and making crunching tackles. City are getting exposed on the flanks due to Chelsea’s fast full backs, who are pushing high up the field. Kyle Walker and Oleksandr Zinchenko will have a lot of man marking to do this evening if City are to keep a clean sheet. Ben Chillwell passes the ball to Mount. MOUNT HAS FOUND KAI HAVERTZ WITH A THROUGH BALL, WHO DRIBBLES PAST EDERSON, AND SLOTS THE BALL INTO AN EMPTY NET!!!!! GGOOOOOOOOAAAAALLL!!!!! Chelsea draw first blood in Porto!! It's a really good move from the Londoners. Werner dragged Ruben Dias outwards, giving Havertz all the space he could ask for. Ederson committed to sliding in, but Havertz finished brilliantly.  Pep will be furious at his players. Walker was sucked out of position, while Zinchenko was on the wrong side of Havertz, who was quicker to the ball. I don’t know why Stones pushed so high up the field. The whole mess-up left it as a 2v2, where if City's fullbacks had dropped deeper, it could have been a 4v2. And the halftime whistle blows! HALFTIME: CHELSEA 1–0 MANCHESTER CITY Man City start the second half with lots of purpose. De Bruyne and Foden are getting more involved in the match, which might coincide with Chelsea starting to tire out. Still, Chelsea are defending well at the moment with Kanté, their key man. James intercepts De Bruyne’s pass and plays a long pass to Werner… but Dias gets there first. It's been a pretty solid game for Dias, who’s dealt with Chelsea’s attackers pretty well. The problem is really stemming from their fullbacks—I hope I don’t sound like a broken record.  A Chelsea throw-in is headed away from Dias, but Havertz repossesses the ball. The German runs down the sidelines but is chopped down by Ilkay Gündogan, winning Chelsea a free kick. It seems that Man City haven’t sorted out their issues on the flank yet. What is Pep doing? It's a nasty clash involving Rüdiger and De Bruyne. Both players ran into each other, and De Bruyne is walking off the pitch with a bruised eye. Rüdiger is shown a yellow card for what seemed to be a tactical foul on De Bruyne. It doesn’t seem like the Belgian International will be coming back on. This is a huge blow for Man City. However, The Sky Blues aren’t showing any signs of fatigue, as they continue to lay siege on Chelsea. It's the 66th minute of the game. Christian Pulisic is subbed in to replace Werner, and he is the first male American to ever play in a Champions League Final. Here comes Man City. Foden has found some space to pass to RIYAD MAHREZ WHO CROSSES THE BALL IN…!!! But a sliding Cesar Azpilicueta clears the ball over the bar. All Chelsea can think about right now is to hold on. Both teams are having their own spells of attacks, before giving the ball away and defending their own goal. Chelsea seem to be finding momentum now, and are on the attack again. Havertz played a one-two with Pulisic and had acres of space in front of him, with Pulisic beside him… HAVERTZ LAYS IT OFF TO PULISIC!!!!!!! BUT HE HITS IT WIDE!! What a moment that could have been. Pulisic had the opportunity to write his name in history, but Ederson made himself big and Captain America's clipped shot went wide.  Sergio Agüero has been subbed on for the last time in his Man City career, when they need him most. Can the Premier League legend deliver with time running out? City is trying every trick up their sleeve. The Mancunians are launching crosses into the box, instead of playing the ball through the center, which is how they usually attack. Time after time, those crosses are being headed away. Chelsea themselves are still looking for a second goal, even though they could be sitting back and absorbing the Man City attacks. Both teams are getting into each other's halves, but City’s attacks are more dangerous. DIAS FIZZES A CROSS IN FOR MAHREZ, WHO PULLS IT BACK FOR FODEN…!!! BLOCKED!!! What a chance that could have been. Chelsea threw everything to stop the Englishman from scoring.  It’s now or never for Manchester City. A Man City throw-in is headed away, BUT MAHREZ VOLLEYS IT TOWARDS GOAL—over the bar. Edouard Mendy was flat footed and praying it would go over. Ederson kicks the ball down the field one last time, but there goes the whistle!!! CHELSEA ARE CHAMPIONS!!!! FULL TIME: CHELSEA 1–0 MANCHESTER CITY Chelsea win the second Champions League title in their history! The Londoners were brilliant throughout most of the game, defending well against City and scoring the crucial goal. Questions need to be asked about Pep Guardiola. He always seems to overthink things. He really should have started a CDM because City looked open at the back without one. It's sad to see a legend like Agüero not ride off into the sunset with the Champions League title, but football can be cruel like that. A season that we will never forget is capped off perfectly with an enthralling final.  That's it from us; we will see you this Summer for the EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!

The knockout phases have blessed us with even more drama. Scripts were thrown out the window, and someone out there must have lost a ton of money. Lets see what went down in this dramatic round of 16! Switzerland 3*–3 France The World Champions face a resilient Switzerland side, who have shown their quality in the group phases. France haven't been at their best as of yet, but when they turn up the heat, they can really blow your socks off.  You can rub your eyes all you want, but you read the scoreline right: Switzerland has KNOCKED OUT THE WORLD CHAMPIONS! Vladimir Petković and his men have pulled off one of the biggest upsets in football HISTORY, and they deserved it, too. Considering France's attacking talents, the Swiss were expected to drop deep the whole game but, instead, they bombarded France with attacks, throwing them off guard.  Xherdan Shaquiri hasn’t been setting the world on fire during his club career, but he's been vital to La Nati. Shaqiri was everywhere, playing one-twos on the wing, or putting in dangerous through balls for his teammates. Granit Xhaka also needs to be mentioned. He was immense, his spirit and tireless style of play makes him one of the best midfielders in the world. While Shaqiri is more of a luxury with his flair and pizzazz, Xhaka is a hardworking no-nonsense midfielder that every team needs. Without them, the Swiss wouldn’t have been able to come back from a two-goal deficit. Switzerland’s first goal was scored by Haris Seferović. France didn’t close Steven Zuber fast enough, and his whipped-in ball met the head of Seferovi ć , who also wasn’t being challenged. The second goal was executed by Seferović again, following a perfect cross into the box by Kevin Mbabu who, like Zuber and Seferović,   wasn’t being closed down. It really seemed far too easy, and again Seferovic seemed to have the most desire to get his head to it. Gavranovic received a through ball from Xhaka. He turned Presnel Kimpembe inside out like a schoolboy, then fired home an unbeatable strike.  The game went to extra time, and even though it was France who laid siege on the Swiss goal, the Switzerland defense held on. The game eventually went to penalties, and in that instance it's all about holding your nerve. The Swiss did just that. Yann Sommer produced the game-winning save, and even though it isn’t the most orthodox way to go through, the Swiss won’t care. France must have thought that it would be an easy win. Oh how they were wrong.  France didn’t look as cut-throat as they did in 2018; you could see it early on. France lined up with a 3-5-2, a big mistake in my opinion. France’s back 3 couldn’t cope with Shaqiri, who dropped right behind the two forwards, so he couldn’t be so easily dealt with.  Usually N’Golo Kante deals with the number 10s, but he wasn’t anywhere to be seen. He didn’t cut out the passing lanes like he usually does, and didn’t make the tackles that his team needed. Disappointing, considering what he's capable of. Another disappointment was Hugo Lloris, who on the night wouldn’t have been able to save a Word Document. The person who DID catch my attention for France was Paul Pogba. He always performs well at the international level, because Deschamps lets him do what he does best. Along with scoring an absolute peach of a goal, he put in some really good passes, mostly to Kylian Mbappe, who wasted them.  France's first two goals came from the man in form, Karim Benzema. On the hour mark, Mbappe played him in, and the 32-year-old clipped the ball over Sommer. It was a poor pass from Mbappe, but Benzema did ever so well to get the ball under control. Benzema put France in the lead, when he headed in a rebound off a Griezmann shot that Sommer had initially slapped away. Paul Pogba scored what SEEMED like the final nail in the Swiss coffin, with a super strike from outside of the box into the top corner.  It should have been game, set, and match, but France’s usually reliable defense was SHOCKING today. I don’t say many bad things about Raphaël Varane, but he was nowhere to be seen. For the first Swiss goal, Clement Lenglet was supposed to be marking Seferović, but he didn’t even jump to head the ball away, as if saying to Seferović, “Take it!” In the end, France lost on penalties. I won't criticize losing on penalties, because spot kicks are always a gamble. However, Les Bleus should have killed the game off early. The Swiss have shown why football is the best sport in the world. Anything can happen, even against the world champions. The French will not be kindly welcomed home, and you wonder if this marks the end for Didier Deschamps.  Czech Republic 2–0 Netherlands The Netherlands are looking to go far in this tournament, after failing to qualify for EURO 2016 and the 2018 World Cup. The Czechs are the underdogs, but their impressive performances make this a tasty match.  The Czech republic have produced yet another incredible underdog story, in this soon-to-be legendary tournament! Despite their success in the group stage, few would have bet they could go toe-to-toe with the Dutch, never mind beat them. In response, the Czechs played the game of their LIVES.  Jaroslav Šilhavý must have  drilled the idea of simple football into his team. When they had possession, the Czechs would string together neat passes in midfield with such efficiency that the Netherlands’ midfield had trouble closing them down. Without the ball, the Nároďák would win the ball back as quick as possible. Tomáš Souček is integral to that style of play, as he is one of the best defensive midfielders on the planet. He's also a sublime passer, which is why he plays a more advanced role on the international level. The Czech defense isn’t the strongest of backlines, but whatever ball managed to get through the fortified midfield was easy pickings for the defense.  The first Czech goal came in the 68th minute, when a free kick into the penalty area was headed into the 6-yard box by Tomáš Kalas. The Dutch defense was about as reactive as a wet cardboard box, but even a cardboard box still has some structure to it. Tomáš Holeš was there to head the ball into the net, 1–0. Four minutes later, Holeš pounced on a loose ball, raced through Georginio Wijnaldum and Denzel Dumfries before fizzing the ball into the box. Patrik Schick latched onto the ball, sending it low and beyond Maarten Stekelenburg.  It was amazing to see how much hunger remained even though they had a commanding lead . Most teams in their position would hold onto the goal, and try to see the game out. But when you have someone like Schick, who seems to score goals for fun at this tournament, why wouldn’t you keep attacking? This team’s cohesiveness has really impressed me. If you simply looked at individual talent, you wouldn’t think much of this team. However, their teamwork more than makes up for it. The Dutch forwards were toothless on the night. Because the Czech midfield was so resilient, the Netherlands were often forced to play long passes into the Czech penalty box, many of which were quickly dealt with by the defense. Whenever the Oranje would have a chance to line up a shot, they would falter at the final hurdle. The Dutch’s best chance of the game came in the 51st minute, when Donyell Malen weaved through the Czech defense, but when he tried to round the goalie, Tomas Vaclik dove in and got hold of the ball. Memphis Depay was nowhere to be seen today. He didn’t get into the goalscoring positions he normally does and, at 26 and in his prime, I think the whole world expected him to deliver. Overall, it was a wretched display.  I think we were fooled by their group stage success against small teams, because we believed they could mirror those performances against the top dogs. With all due respect to the Czechs, the Dutch were knocked out by a small team. The whole world now sees that the Netherlands aren’t really as strong as once thought.  Tonight the Czechs simply had more desire to win. As for the Dutch, they are sent home earlier than expected. I don't know whether they underestimated the Czechs, or if they were just too confident in themselves. Now the Czechs march on to the quarterfinals, where they will face Denmark. Only time will tell if the Dutch regroup and grow together, or if things take a turn for the worse.

England 1–0 Croatia England start EURO 2020 with a 1–0 win over Croatia. They were the deserved winners, as they were much more threatening in front of goal, and more compact in front of their own. In midfield, Mason Mount and Kalvin Phillips pulled the strings by creating opportunities, and also dropping back to defend when needed. England's goal came in the 57th minute, when Phillips picked out Sterling with a through ball in front of goal. Sterling may be off form in Manchester, but he still had the confidence to rifle the ball into the back of the net.  However, there are some concerns. England looked fragile on the left side, and Croatia were able to put in dangerous crosses into the box from there. The Three Lions also had a whole host of other opportunities to score, but didn’t take them. Sterling could have had a second when a rebounded shot fell to him, but he blazed it over the bar. As England faces tougher opponents, those chances NEED to be converted. Still, it's 3 points in the end. Croatia’s evening could be described as disappointing and sluggish. The Vatreni were outclassed in almost every department. Luka Modric couldn't change the game like he’s done so many times before, because England managed to shut down every dangerous play. I guess it doesn’t help that England were at home and had their fans to cheer them on.  While Croatia has many of the same players that played in World Cup 2018, they’re getting older now. Modric, Ivan Perisic, and Dojamov Vida, their star players, are all well into their 30s. Take England, whose star players– Harry Kane, 27, Raheem Sterling, 26, and Phil Foden, 21– are in their prime. Croatia were struggling so much in midfield that I noticed they dropped Modric as far back as the defense, just so that he could do something, anything of any note on the pitch, without being swarmed by England. This game is a wake-up call, and a very worrying sight for Croatia.  England start their title charge with a pretty comfortable dispatching of Croatia. It could have been 2–0 or 3–0, but it ultimately won't matter, as they defeated their bitter rivals. Croatia need to forget about this game, and focus on the next one.  France 1–0 Germany The world champions kick off their tournament with a hard-fought win over Germany. Les Bleus seemed eager to attack Germany’s goal, but they were still secure in midfield with N’Golo Kante running after every loose ball. Anything that Kante touches at this point becomes a wonderfully timed tackle. His presence allowed for Pogba and others to work their magic.  France's winning goal came in the 19th minute, when Lucas Hernandez’s fizzed-in cross was met by none other than Germany defender Mats Hummels. The unfortunate soul couldn’t sort his feet out, and blasted the ball into his own net. France almost had a second, when Karim Benzema tapped in Kylian Mbappes pass from close range. However, Mbappe was judged to have been offside. This almost came back to bite them when they handed Germany a few good opportunities to score, which they didn’t take. Dider Dechamps won’t be too mad, as they snatch three massive points against a top side. Germany played well; they just couldn’t find the breakthrough goal. Joachim Löw’s team dominated possession with an overwhelming 62%, but couldn't make anything of it. Toni Kross didn’t have much impact in this game. Frankly, I didn’t even notice him playing. The Germans wasted many great chances, like Serge Gnabrys half volley that went just over the bar. I think Low had the right idea in subbing in Werner, because his runs create space in opposition defense. However, he subbed him in late on, and he didn’t get to make his mark on the game.  Something that IS of real concern is their defense. A loose ball went to Hummels’ side of the defense, and he ran after it. However, Mbappe got to the ball first, even though Hummels was nearest to the ball first. It took a last ditch tackle from Hummels to stop the French superstar from scoring. Any successful team needs to have two reliable center backs, and I’m sorry to say it, but Antonio Rudiger and Hummels aren’t them. Germany needs to keep their heads high, when they next face Portugal. France win the first blockbuster match in the group of death, Group F. Germany had their chances, but they ultimately couldn't capitalize on them and they will have to take the defeat. All eyes will be on Germany to see how they rebound from this.  Wales 1–1 Switzerland Wales will take the point, considering how many times they could have conceded. Wales were far too open at the back, and couldn’t close down Switzerland fast enough. It really didn’t seem like there was any communication at the back. Joe Rodon was the man to blame in my opinion. In the 45th minute, he should have been marking Haris Seferovic, but he didn’t, allowing for Sefeerovic to have a shot at goal, which he missed.  These mishaps meant that Danny Ward was called into action multiple times. He made some good saves, like his block against Breel Embolo who was through on goal. Unfortunately for him, he couldn't stop the Swiss from scoring first, but to be honest, the Wales defense should have challenged the ball a lot better than they did following up to the goal. Wales’s goal was an equalizer, when Keiffer Moore headed home a cross from Joseff Morrell following a short corner. Wales will be relieved to have taken something from this game, but they know that results like these won’t be good enough later on. Switzerland won’t be happy that they let this result slip by them. La Nati played with lots of purpose, and each attack seemed deadly. The Swiss midfield was able to have lots of possession in Wales’s half, which allowed them to get into some great spaces. The person who really stood out to me was the goalscorer, Embolo. The 24-year-old was a menace for the Wales backline, using his speed and strength to make chances for his team. He almost assisted a goal, when he used his strength to fend off Chris Mepham, and passed the ball to Seferovic who skied the ball over the bar.  Switzerland opened the scoring when, from a corner, Embolo stood tall and headed the ball down and into the net. For all of the chances and even though they dominated the game, the match is never over when you’re only winning by one. Switzerland weren’t able to hold onto the slim advantage, paying the price for all of their wasted opportunities.  Wales and Switzerland will have to settle for a draw, sharing the points. It will feel like a victory for Wales, who was pushed back for much of this game, while Switzerland had a whole host of missed chances. Vladamir Petkovic will not be happy with his team.

Denmark 4–1 Russia Parken Stadium June 21st, 2021 Denmark needs to win by at least two goals, and Finland needs to lose in order for the Danes to progress. Thankfully they play in Denmark, and will have the support of their fans, and the support of Christian Eriksen. Russia has a better chance of progressing because a point will be enough for at least a third-place finish. A loss, however, would mean their elimination.  Denmark are through to the last 16, after an inspired last 15 minutes of the game. The Danes were frustrated for much of the first half, as Russia took their time and placed many players at the back. This didn’t stop Denmark from getting high up the field. The man of the match in my opinion was Eriksen’s replacement, Mikel Damsgaard. The youngster glided around the field, linking up passes, and also making himself available to move the play forward. Also to thank was Denmark's defense, with the back three all putting in a great shift. I like how Denmark uses a back three. It isn’t something that you see much of anymore, but it fits their style of play perfectly.  Denmark got their first goal late on in the second half, when Damsgaard rifled the ball into the top corner from outside of the box. Denmark's second goal was a gift, where a poor pass from Roman Zobnin allowed for Yussuf Poulsen to tuck it home. After conceding from a penalty that shouldn’t have even been, the Danes were able to respond in what could be one of the biggest comebacks of all time. Andreas Christensen scored the third goal in the 80th minute when, from outside of the box, he smashed the ball into the back of the net. That goal broke Russian hearts, and minutes later Joakim Maehle added a fourth goal to the tally. This result means that Denmark are into second place, and into the knockout stages! Russia's Euro campaign went from miserable to horrific, getting clobbered 4–1 and ending their tournament early. Early on, it was obvious that the Russians would try to take the spirit of the Danish fans and players by frustrating them. A player that impressed me despite his age was 22 year old Matvey Safonov. After the retirement of Igor Akinfeev, they needed a new goalie. Despite conceding four, he held his own today, making numerous saves. Aleksandr Golovin was also impressive in midfield. In the first half, he was the metronome of the Russian squad, every play going through him. He also helped create many counter attacks and almost scored from one, but his low shot was denied by Kasper Schmeichel.  Once they conceded, however, they looked anything but in control. They now had to switch their defensive style and be more aggressive. Russia did get a goal to keep their hopes of qualification alive when, from the penalty spot, Artem Dzyuba placed the penalty high and straight down the middle. Those hopes soon dwindled when their back line shot themselves in the foot with some awful defending. I expected more of Russia in this tournament, especially after their heroic run in the 2018 World Cup. Those efforts certainly weren’t replicated here, and fans will have a bad taste in their mouth after this.  It's a miracle for Denmark, who were in last place before this game. They finish in 2nd place behind Belgium. Who knows how far they can go; in the aftermath of Eriksen's collapse, the team are sharing a unique bond on and off the field.  For Russia, they pack their bags and head home, a disappointing tournament for them.  Croatia 3–1 Scotland  Hampden Park June 22nd, 2021 Croatia knows what they need to do in order to progress in group D. A win will guarantee their place in the last 16. For Scotland, they know they need a win to have any chance of making it through.  Luka Modric and Croatia salvage their Euro hopes with the dispatching of Scotland. Croatia played much more like the days of 2018, dominating midfield and their star forwards wreaking havoc. Croatia may have an aging squad, but they are still amongst the most technically gifted group of players, and they thoroughly outclassed their opponents. As always, Luka Modric was one of the names on everyone's lips, being all over the pitch. I also thought that Ivan Perisic was almost as good, as I saw he helped facilitate attacks around Scotland's box. I still think the big issue for Croatia is their slow and unreliable defense. We will see just how big of an issue that is during the knockout stages. Croatia's first goal came from Nikola Vlasic, when Perisic headed the ball into his path, from a cross. The Scottish defense couldn’t react fast enough, and Vlasic fired the ball low and into the corner. Croatia's second goal was important, and ALL important goals deserve to be brilliant goals—like this one. From outside of the box, Modric hit the ball with the outside of his boot, curling into the net. Ricardo Quaresma would have been proud of that goal, because it's the type of goal he scores a lot of. Perisic sealed the deal in the 77th minute, when he headed the ball past David Marshall and into the opposite corner, following a corner kick. All in all, it’s a great Croatian response to the criticism and questions hurled at them following their first two games. . Scotland exits the Euros, after a mixed display against Croatia. Scotland never had large spells of possession like Croatia had, but every so often they would find a great chance to score, the threats mainly coming from crosses. As always, Andrew Robertson worked tirelessly on the left side. Robertson would sometimes move into center defense when they didn’t have possession but, when they did, he would act almost like a right midfielder. Stuart Armstrong was also someone who caught my attention. He delivered some really deadly crosses into the box, and if Scotland had better strikers, those would have been converted.  Scotland's goal was well taken. Robertson’s cross into the box was cleared away, but not as far as Callum McGregor. The 28-year-old hit low, hard and true, through the Croatian crowd and into the corner. It was the equalizing goal, but unfortunately for them, they would need a win to go through. Scotland had other chances, like John McGinn’s scuffed shot from close range, but it was a timid effort and never was going to test Dominik Livakovic. For some reason, it seems like the Scotland forwards are scared to go for the ball or take the shot on. If your strikers aren’t confident in themselves, you won’t be winning many games. While Scotland do have some great players, they aren’t at the level of the highest teams, even if this is their best team in years. Croatia are into the last 16 of the Euros, after a thrilling victory in Glasgow. The Vatreni were undoubtedly superior, and even though Scotland were dangerous for some periods of time, their opponents were relentless and cynical in the final third. Croatia will play Spain on Monday, and it’s recovery time for Scotland’s players. Portugal 2–2 France Puskas Arena  June 23rd, 2021 France have already qualified for the knockout stages, but a win against Portugal would be a huge morale boost, as they lost to Portugal in the Euro 2016 Final. Portugal needs points and, while a tie might do it, a win would secure their safety.  Portugal squeeze through into the knockout rounds because of a solid team performance. Os Navegadores seemed to be the underdogs going into this game, but Fernando Santos’s side were able to bypass the suffocating French midfield through long balls that were surprisingly effective. Because many of the Portugal players were superior in aerial duels, any teasing ball into the box would be potentially deadly. Renato Sanches and Joao Moutinho put in some quality crosses, some of which paid off. They still haven’t addressed their concerns in the back, however. Far too many times, the back four would create large gaps, and because of Pepe’s age and slowness, it was hard for them to close down fast. Mbappe and others would regularly exploit this, and it would surprise nobody if other teams would capitalize on this, too.  Both of Portugal's goals came from penalties. In the 27th minute, Moutinho whipped in a delicious cross into the box, but when Hugo Lloris tried to punch it away, he punched Danilo Pereira instead. Ronaldo hadn’t scored against France in his entire career, and under the pressure cooker circumstances with everything on the line, most would cower away. Ronaldo is unique. CR7 blasted the penalty into the net, sending Lloris the wrong way. The second penalty was from a Jules Koundé handball. This time, Portugal were behind, and there was arguably more pressure on Ronaldo than the earlier penalty. Surprise, surprise, Ronaldo scored. He sent his show low and into the far corner, Lloris guessing wrong again. Cristiano saved Portugal, but things NEED to change if they are to defend their title. France top the group of death, but they didn’t end in style. Le Bleus were far stronger on paper, but they never got the chance to dictate the game like they normally do. They couldn't close down Portugal fast enough, allowing for them to link up with each other, or giving them enough time to put in a dangerous cross. Usually those duties would go to N’Golo Kante, but even as efficient as he is, others need to step in to win the ball back for France. On a positive note, France’s front three is looking deadlier than ever. Not only is Mbappe bringing new dimensions into his game, but the addition of Karim Benzema is another huge problem for opposition defense. Benzema today was cynical, just like he was 6 years ago before he was kicked out of the squad. France’s two goals came on each side of half time. In the 45th minute, Mbappe collided with Nelson Semedo. It was a soft penalty, and it was obvious that Mbappe was looking to draw the foul. Benzema stepped up, and just like his former teammate Ronaldo, blasted the ball into the net, sending Rui Patricio the wrong way. Just after half time, Pogba found a pocket of space in which he played in Benzema, who rifled his shot low and into the corner. The goal was initially chalked off for offside, but was given back when replays showed that Benzema had timed his run to perfection, and was onside. France nearly scored a third, but Pogba’s shot was exquisitely denied by Rui Patricio, slapping the ball onto the post. Even though France could have won this game and will be disappointed to have not, they are still a juggernaut and the tournament favorites.  Portugal and France both qualify for the latter stages of this tournament. Germany vs. Hungary was also simultaneously playing, and because Germany beat Hungary 2–1, it's the Hungarians who head home early, albeit after a heroic display against the three powerhouses.

In a club's history, there are performances that speak volumes about how the team is being led. It can be a statement performance that catches the eye of the watching world, or it can be a performance so bad that it questions the path the club is going down, or even the club's very future. Arsenal losing 2–0 to Chelsea may not be a standout case based on their recent history, but in my opinion, it’s the last nail in Arsenal's coffin, epitomizing everything they have become.  Arsenal aren’t going to win any silverware this year, so let's get that out of the way. When facing their crosstown rivals, the least they could do is give their fans something to cheer about. Arsenal apparently hate their fans, witness their passive, regressive display.  During the first 45 minutes they had their backs pinned to the wall, trying to absorb Chelsea's attack. In fact, I shouldn’t say absorb ; their defense was completely woeful. Reece James was unhindered on the wing, which permitted him to put in crosses, one of them leading to a goal. Pablo Mari was supposed to be marking Romelu Lukaku, but the Belgian forward tossed Mari around like a plastic bag in the wind. On the upside, Bernd Leno showed his class with a fantastic save against Lukaku. The goalie did well to slap Lukaku’s header onto the bar. What REALLY hampered Arsenal was a lack of leadership in the back four, which resulted in a communication breakdown. You’d probably find more leadership in a ham and cheese melty.  Arsenal had no edge up front either, simply because the Gunners’ midfield was invisible for the whole game. Granit Xhaka may have had a great Euro campaign over the Summer, but it looks like he’s back to his inconsistent form. I'm not sure if he's back from vacation, because I couldn’t see him anywhere on the field today. Xhaka wasn’t the only one to implode. Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe had to go narrow to mark Jorginho and Mateo Kovačić, which allowed James and Marcos Alonso to push high up. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang actually played decently after his long spell out, but he couldn't make much of an impact, as the midfield was unable to give him quality passes.  All in all, it's another wretched display by the Gunners. Arsenal played with very little desire, were exposed in their own half, and had nothing going for them in the final third. I think it says a lot that even after 18 months of not being able to go to games, Arsenal fans were seen leaving the stadium in frustration, even before the game ended. For Arsenal's sake, I hope Stan Kroenke sees what’s going on, and sacks Arteta. It may not be enough to save Arsenal's season, but it could be a blessing for them in the future. Chelsea are back with a bang! The West Londoners dispatch Arsenal in North London. First things first: THIS is how you run a football club. Arsenal and Chelsea are similar in multiple ways—both have owners with large sums of money, they both have great academies that produce talent, and both have access to the latest and greatest facilities and technologies. Here’s the difference: Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea’s manager, made back-to-back Champions League FINALS, while Arteta was only hired because he played for Arsenal back in 2011. All you need to know is this—one is a competent manager who knows how to manage a team, while the other just started his career as a head coach and has had no previous experience.  I don’t throw the word “masterclass” around a lot, but Tuchel produced one today. He made sure Chelsea would have a numerical advantage in midfield, meaning other Arsenal players would be drawn in, leaving spaces in their place. Lukaku was excellent today, as he’s superb at using his strength to get past his marker. Multiple Arsenal defenders were drawn to Lukaku to mark him, which would free up even more space, and allow for Chelsea to make overloads in the wing. Lukaku has everything that Chelsea have been asking for in a forward, and he's already paying dividends.  Chelsea’s first goal came in the 15th minute, when Kovačić found James on the wing with acres of space. James then fizzed the ball into the 6-yard box. Pablo Mari was supposed to be marking Lukaku, but it was man versus mountain for Mari, and Lukaku easily shouldered him off to score a tap-in. Chelsea’s second goal was similar to the first. Kieran Tierney obviously hadn’t learned his lesson about going narrow, because he was dragged in yet AGAIN. Mason Mount put a through ball to James, who was in on goal. The English international rocketed his effort into the top corner, a fantastic finish. Both goals were scored because Tuchel took advantage of Arsenal's tactical frailties.  Lukaku was excellent today, being much more than just a goal scorer. I think people have forgotten just how good he really is, pointing to his price tag and calling him “overrated.” Even at Manchester United, when he was “off form,” he scored 28 goals in 66 appearances, or .42 goals per game, a good ratio. Lukaku is a lethal out-and-out number 9 who can facilitate plays leading up to a goal. He was a fantastic signing this Summer and will only become better.  Chelsea’s performance today shows that they are ready to take on the league. Every position is occupied by world-class talent, who all have great chemistry with each other. Add a manager who is a born winner, and you have a team that’ll go toe-to-toe with Liverpool, Man City, and all the other Premier League title contenders. The rest of the teams had better be ready, ’cause the Blue Lions are BACK. Arsenal are flailing in the shark-infested waters of the Premier League, and not much can be done to save them. They seem destined for an even lower position than 8th, and if they don’t straighten up, they may finish in the lower half of the EPL table. As for Chelsea, they maintain their perfect streak of 2 clean sheets, and 2 wins out of 2. The sun seems to be rising on the West side of London—but may be setting on its North side.