Thread by @pythaginboots

England v France - An Analysis [Thread]

➡️The Mbappe Plan - Worked to a degree
➡️ Jude Who... Tchouameni's goal threat was overlooked
➡️ Saka exploited French Weak Link - Theo...
➡️ #BeKind Kane's pen... shit happens

CC: @Effmatch

#England #ENG #WorldCup #France

Despite being double marked, Mbappe embarked upon a run which led to the first goal, completing sucking in the English bodies throwing themselves at him and leaving space open for Tchoumeni to take advantage.

He also had a moment where he made Walker contemplate retirement...

But aside from these glimpses, England on the whole did a decent job. Deschamps needs to free up his movement to avoid him being marked out of a game as future opponents may not be as willing to go toe to toe...

Long have I pondered as to whether Theo Hernandez is sufficiently tested enough defensively in Serie A and we saw yesterday that he was a defensive liability IMO. Saka was a step above and he couldn't really mark him cleanly and then the rash challenge on Mount for the pen...

Theo is definitely better going forwards than back and this is an area all their future opponents need to target.

What does not help is that the French made him defend against Saka 1 v 1, Mbappe barely got back and Rabiot isn't robust defensively. He needs protection.

Kane put in the best big match England performance of his career until the dreaded second penalty. The way he was picking up space was not unexpected what with France lacking a pure CDM who constantly marks that space in front of the centre backs...

This meant he was able to roam around at will.

What was particularly impressive was his ability to roll centre backs with his back to goal and he just generally looked a threat even in open play. Shame how it ended though... does he fall below Linekar, Shearer and Rooney?

Much was spoken about whether Tchouameni would keep Bellingham quiet, but funnily enough it was Tchoameni who ended up having the bigger attacking impact and it was Bellingham who did a poor job closing down Tchouameni's shot.

Aside from this moment, it was a to and fro encounter but I think the Frenchman can be pleased that Bellingham was not really at the heart of all of England's best play. However he will need to control games better especially if they face Croatia or Argentina.

One of the most fascinating yet barely mentioned battles was Giroud vs Maguire. Both look like complete opposites but in terms of styles of play, the Prince and the Gargoyle are very well matched - immobile, colossuses in the air with underrated technique that belies their size.

Giroud kept getting in ahead of Maguire, that chance which Pickford saved was a hint of what was to come. Eventually Giroud would make his mark with a fantastic goal and Maguire I am afraid was just beat to the punch - a moment which takes him down a notch in the England HOF.

Bellingham against Tchouameni was bad enough but Henderson failing to close down the left footed Griezmann from putting in a ball was shocking defending. An experienced player like that not spotting the danger that this situation presented blew me away.

If Henderson makes that extra effort to get across and cut off the ball, Griezmann would have had to go on to his weak foot or pass it back, these little margins and moments decide games and England were found wanting.

The wisdom of allowing Kane to take a second penalty is a 'Captain Hindsight' type of criticism. No one has ever questioned his ability to take a penalty... he had already scored one with aplomb - ain't no one going to be taking it off the captain in that moment - he mishit it...

it happens and yes its painful, but you can't blame the manager for that.

As for the subs, no idea why Sterling is coming on ahead of Grealish or why your most threatening player in Saka was taken off. Could Hendo have come off sooner, with Foden moving to CAM?

A pulsating game, another classic I think to put down in English footballing folklore alongside Argentina in 1986, Germany 1990, Argentina in 1998 and Portugal 2006. Games in which England competed, were marginally the better side but bottled it in key key moments...