Anybody else not fully confident about Denmark match?

No different to Denmark's free kick for their goal. Soft foul in their favour leading to a goal, soft pen for us leading to a goal. I think it balanced out.

 

If we hadn't dominated 105 minutes of the match, hadn't had 20 attempts to their 6, 10 shots on target to their 3 and two other much more definitive penalty claims, I'd probably concede that it was undeserved, but if the ref gives it, and VAR doesn't overturn it, it's a penalty. Even if Sterling did make the most of it. Barnsley had one early on last season when Woodrow went down when he got breathed on, but he probably had 10 through the season where it wasn't given. You have to take these fortuitous gifts when they come. You won't find any team winning a major tournament without having some luck.

 

I actually agree with most of that. My original point in the thread was a response to Spain and Italy being branded cheats and England and Denmark being whiter than white. I simply said all teams cheat these days, last night just backed that up.

 

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Yes. And the Italian press noticed that as well “The only mistake the referee made was awarding that penalty.”

I’m sure the Italian team noticed.

So, if Italy win by a ‘hand of god’ goal, or spend the last 20 minutes rolling around on the floor to protect a lead (not that I’m implying in ANY way that they’ve got form in doing that) we can’t complain can we?

If that happens, I hope you’ll join me in applauding them off the pitch. And that you’ll explain to every furious England fan that it’s all in the spirit of the game.

 

Some more blatantly, cynically and consistently than others as I said in my original post.

 

That’s some leap you’ve made there.

I said all teams cheat, and I don’t particularly like it. That’s all.

 

I know that all teams cheat and I don't like it either. My original post was pointing out that some teams do it more blatantly and cynically than others to the point where it becomes part of their game. You seemed to think I was getting at 'Johnny Foreigner' but I only pointed out Italy and Spain, who in my opinion have done that. Add Argentina as well.

 

I certainly didn’t think there was any xenophobic angle to your post, and apologies if it came across that way.

I do think there’s an element of rose tinted specs mind, and to be fair they’re probably the ones I wear when the reds play. In your hypothetical final scenario I would say it’s the exact opposite, definitely not in the spirit in the game! Why would I say otherwise?

But can these furious England fans really complain? I mean, if their player hadn’t cheated in the semi they might not even be in the final. Which is kind of my point, it’s just so rife / accepted now.

 

I wouldn't say Sterling cheated. He ran past two defenders who tried to impede him, and made contact, without making any attempt to play the ball. He could've tried to stay on his feet, but why should he, given refs never give a foul when a player stays up?

 

Having watched the replays this morning, I'm pretty sure that the Kane shout for a penalty in the second half was nailed on. Swings and roundabouts.

 

Exactly. Portugal were absolutely gash for most of Euro 2016. Worst team to win a major tournament since Greece in 2004. The Germans have had their fair share of good fortune in most of the tournaments they've won. Even the brilliant Argentina side in 1986 needed a massive slice of luck in the quarters. And then an absolutely terrible Argentina still somehow got to the final in 1990.

 

It wasn't a penalty, but I'm not sure Sterling wasn't touched. At the speed he runs it only needs a glance. As for Kane, yes on a couple of occasions he went down too easily. But, England is one of the cleanest sides in international football. Rarely do you see one their players screaming and rolling in the dirt or waving imaginary yellow cards. Comparison with the Italians - who I like as a side - is totally wide of the mark. Frankly they have a different attitude to gamesmanship, though nothing like Azzuri sides I can remember from the past., And anyone watching the Copa America will agree Europeans are novices at play acting and fakery currently. That tournament has been blighted by it.

 

Agreed. Yes we all wear rose tinted specs at Oakwell and in the league you let it go. Just in a knock out competition and especially at this stage you can't help feeling that penalty incident might come back to bite us.

 

Just seen this.

It looks more of a penalty today than it did yesterday.

 

Its a clear penalty for me. I do not understand how people are saying otherwise. Clear contact on his right leg (albeit a small amount of contact) followed by another small piece of contact from the other player coming in while he is running a full speed. Is it enough to wipe him out fully? Maybe not but he is clearly impeded inside the box so its a foul IMO

 

I thought it was soft last night, and was worried VAR might overturn it, but having just looked at the video on that tweet I think the ref got it right.

 

Definate pen. Thought that as soon as I saw it last night. It was the second contact not the first.