World Cup 25/06/06

I predicted a modest win for England in the match against Ecuador, and that’s what we got. The heat on the pitch favoured the Ecuadoreans, and the English had a problem at right back and they had a packed midfield that didn’t seem to work as well as in past matches. But, that was a beautiful free kick that Beckham put into the back of the net.

I suspected that the more experience Portuguese team would best the Netherlands. But I was not expecting the drama we got in this match. The Dutch had a technical advantage, but they could not score. First Ronaldo went off injured, then the Portuguese were dealt another blow when a man was sent off just before the half. The second half got really nasty and we got one of the saddest debacles in soccer history when the pitch of supposed professionals became a volatile playground where school boys pushed and shoved one another. I think it all started when Figo headed butted one of the Dutch and only received a yellow card, rather than being shown a red card. Then a Dutchman received a second yellow card, and was sent off shortly after for elbowing Figo in a tackle. I think the player was just getting even with Figo for the head butt. Then we got a series of red and yellow cards handed out for tackles and pushes. In total this match saw 12 players booked, and four sent off. I’m wondering if FIFA is going to issue a suspension for Figo. England must be thinking that this battered Portuguese side will be easier to beat in the quarter-finals.