Once upon a time, there was God and the hand of God. While God excelled in saving the Queen, hand of God picked her beloved England and threw them out of the 1986 World Cup window. Apparently, God still saves the Queen, and has assumed a recent responsibility of saving the collective ass of the England team.
Admit it, England has put up another ordinary performance today but still managed to scrap out a hard fought win, thanks to David Beckham's habitual (not so much these days) accuracy from set pieces. And now they play Portugal in the quarter finals. Portugal will miss several of their key players including Deco, again thanks to their everything-that-could-go-wrong-went-wrong tie against Holland.
Eriksson's boys are riding their luck, which, at some point, very likely in their potential semi-final against Brazil, is going to run out unless they improve by leaps and bounds and start playing the way they are supposed to. That's not asking too much because they make millions supposedly for being good at playing football and not laying goose eggs.
The game of the day, of course, belongs to Portugal and Holland who saw 16 yellow and four red cards being handed out. Four red cards in a game is a World Cup record; it's never happened before.
It was a mess, a stinking mess created by an inept referee with more than adequate support from the reckless superstars resorting to dirty tricks and ugly fouls whenever they got a chance, causing long lasting damage to the image of the game and the Cup, which has otherwise witnessed displays of some brilliant football.
Portugal deservedly won by a slim margin of 1-0, but paid a heavy price for it nonetheless. They won't be getting the services of midfielders Deco and Costinha who were sent off in their next game against England.
FIFA will also be reviewing the case of their skipper, Luis Figo, who headbutted Van Bommel, but managed to escape with just a yellow card. It is probable that he's going to face a one-game suspension.
If you are paying attention, I am currently enjoying a 4-0 picking-the-winner streak, and for tomorrow's games here are my not so bold predictions:
Italy over Australia
Ukraine over Switzerland
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Article comments
1 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Q Bit,
Enjoyed this piece. I enjoyed the analogies. I honestly do not have any preferences here. The blue and white (not Greece) was never present this time round. But I have the feeling that a certain comments editor may not enjoy your view of England's team.
Of course, I could be wrong about his ideas. I have been before.
2 - Christopher Rose
Well, I don't think England are playing brilliantly yet, but there were signs of a great team emerging yesterday.
Carrick was a revelation in the holding role in front of the back four (and I hope Man Utd buy him soon) and, despite the lack of a real striker upfront, we looked comfortable with both Gerrard and Lampard playing.
I fancy our chances against Portugal and still reckon Spain will be our opponents in the semis, not Brazil.
I think the Italians have been very uneven so far and Australia's more direct style could well upset them. If there's any tie that could go against the form book, this is it.
Switzerland-Ukraine has the potential to be another bad-tempered tie but I agree with Q Bit that the boys from the big country should overcome the mountain men
3 - Q Bit
Thanks Ruvy.
Chris:
Well am not so happy with Eriksson's tinkering with the formation all the time-- he's not allowing the team to settle down.
Spain is a good team but they will fall short against Brazil.
4 - Christopher Rose
Man, I can't believe these fucking referees. That was never a penalty for Italy.
5 - Snarkattack
You referring to Australia vs. Italy, Chris? A travesty. What is up with the refs, they're not usually this...stupid.
6 - Christopher Rose
Yeah, man, this is one of the great World Cups with lots of beautifully creative attacking football and some awesome goals - but the officials are doing an incredibly poor job, way below acceptable standards.
Bastards!
7 - Snarkattack
The refs are on crack? They want their moment in the sun? They've got our attention now - and more. Where are they getting these hacks from?!
I knew I should've stayed up for Portugal vs. Netherlands. So what if it was a 5am kick-off for eastern Australians?
This is the most excited I've been over sport - ever. Someone, fetch a thermometer...
8 - Douglas Mays
My oh my....A very interesting WC....
9 - RogerMDillon
That Aussie shouldn't have slid. If he had stayed up on his feet, the Italian wouldn't have been able to fall over him and draw the penalty. It did look worse in real time.
10 - Q Bit
I agree with Roger D.
11 - Douglas Mays
Lots of long faces by Brit followers in this town. Portugal's goalkeeper was wicked in the final analysis! Fance and Brazil? Who knows...
Germany in the final? That would be cool.