World Cup Heroes # 3
Bobby Moore
We all know he's the greatest defender the country has ever produced and the only English captain to lift the World Cup, but what's seldom mentioned is how great he looked in white.
England out-Pirlo'ed again
England 1 Italy 2: A tough defeat to take as England were well worth a draw against Italy and it was difficult after the game to realise that the Italians had scored in that second period and the men in white hadn't.
Rooney wasted a glorious opportunity late on in a night when he didn't look comfortable again, but the little shredded wheat headed one did lay on a superb cross for Daniel Sturridge's well-taken goal that allowed England to go in level at half-time.
I thought that would be enough as Italy had exploited problems on the England left flank and I was sure Hodgson would sort that out at half-time but five minutes after the break - after an excellent start by England - Balotelli headed Italy in front following a serious of defensive errors and that was pretty much it; Italy do what they always seem to do and just found a way to win. In fact, Andreas Pirlo probably came closer than anyone with a dipping free-kick that hit the crossbar with Joe Hart well-beaten.
Outstanding player was again Pirlo who is so commanding in central midfield that you can only watch and wonder. Showing key moments on TV replay post-match all you noticed was how Pirlo played a ball to start an attack and then jogged into position to follow up or pick up the ball again should it come back. It really is a masterclass and - when all is picked apart by the pundits - the simple fact is England have no-one who can do the same thing and haven't had anyone like that for a long, long time.
It ain't over and if England play like this again they will cause most teams problems. The sad fact is though is that when they come up against a side like Italy they will probably be found wanting again.
Costa Rica's shock 3-1 win over Uruguay has certainly put the C among the P's and this group is going to get very interesting over the next couple of weeks.
Colombia's comprehensive 3-0 win over a lacklustre Greece earlier on in the day was memorable for the opening goal by West Ham's Pabol Armero, a stunning goal celebration and a backdrop of a sea of yellow.
Despite England's defeat it was another good day.
It ain't over and if England play like this again they will cause most teams problems. The sad fact is though is that when they come up against a side like Italy they will probably be found wanting again.
Costa Rica's shock 3-1 win over Uruguay has certainly put the C among the P's and this group is going to get very interesting over the next couple of weeks.
Colombia's comprehensive 3-0 win over a lacklustre Greece earlier on in the day was memorable for the opening goal by West Ham's Pabol Armero, a stunning goal celebration and a backdrop of a sea of yellow.
Despite England's defeat it was another good day.
Today I shall mostly be drinking...
Earl Grey Tea, Adnams Broadside, Adnams Ghost Ship, Kourtaki Retsina, Negroamaro Salento red wine
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