I guess we’ll see how good (or not) Iran really are.

I'll also say, so people don't accuse me of hypocrisy with my comments on Saudi Arabia, I'm not pleased that the Iranian regime will be able to use this win as a PR boost.
A PR boost? The team clearly don’t agree with the government. Puts more focus on Iran as a country.. something which the government could do without.
 
They got what they deserved. Ramsay was a big disappointment.

The red card count is definitely tumbling in World Cups

2006 - 20 Reds
2010 - 17
2014 - 10
2018 - 4
2022 - 1 so far
 
They got what they deserved. Ramsay was a big disappointment.

The red card count is definitely tumbling in World Cups

2006 - 20 Reds
2010 - 17
2014 - 10
2018 - 4
2022 - 1 so far
20 seems like a lot! and 17 tbf.. what caused that then? Ott yellow cards?
 
Even if England win by 1 goal tonight, that would leave England on +5 and Iran on -2 goal difference.
So there’d need to be a 7 goal swing for Iran to top the group, it could happen but realistically it would still be a dead rubber. USA are better than Wales so not even guaranteed Iran would win.
 
Switched on a minute before the first goal. Wonderful outcome.

England's fate is (and always has been) in their own hands. If we don't qualify from this group, with three clearly inferior teams, it's down to us.

Biggest test tonight though - I think it will be a very open game but we should the superior firepower to ensure three points.
 
Even if we beat the USA, Iran can still finish top of the group on goal difference if we lose to Wales.
With that situation it's overwhelmingly unlikely as if we were to beat the USA, even if it's by a single goal, then to top the group Iran will not merely need to beat USA whilst we lose to Wales.

They'll also have to overcome a 7-goal swing in our favour, ie we'd need to lose by 3 goals against Wales and them smash in 4 or 5 more than the USA. The USA will also be in exactly the same boat as Wales going into the final match against them, ie fighting just to stay in. It's very very minutely possible, but God knows what odds you'd get on that happening in those circumstances.
 
Even if England win by 1 goal tonight, that would leave England on +5 and Iran on -2 goal difference.
So there’d need to be a 7 goal swing for Iran to top the group, it could happen but realistically it would still be a dead rubber. USA are better than Wales so not even guaranteed Iran would win.
Just seen this...😛🤣
 
England and Iran to get through ?

I suppose a draw for the USA tonight isn't much use for them. Realistically, they'd still need to beat Iran to overtake them, the same as if they lose tonight.

I suppose a draw would mean they could mathematically catch England, but they'd still have to beat Iran, so it's an academic point.

They might feel more inclined to go for it tonight.
 
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