Hold on: England can get the goal from either side, Mbappé is in terminator mode

Cristiano Ronaldo He is richer than ever, his income from different items is calculated by marketing experts at 200 million euros per year. And they say that the “CR7” brand can continue billing in the future in various areas. The Portuguese is a David Beckham-type metrosexual, ideal for advertising clothes, watches, perfumes, glasses, cars. He is always groomed, impeccable, athletic, he is the king in the industry of image and social networks. However, the twilight of his career has not suited him well. He has had a steep decline in his game. He is fit, but tough, and technique never fell out of his pocket. For twenty years he has sold a coveted product: goals. It happens that now he continues to sell them, but he does not deliver them. And the client -the public- protests. The sports newspaper A Bola, from Portugal, instead of stating that he should not play in Qatar 2022 against Korea, he passed the ball to readers through a poll. He asked if the scorer should continue to be a starter. 70% of the voters, his own people, said no. The same thing happens to him in the national team as in Manchester United: they no longer see him to play. That’s why the contract was terminated. Among others, he is blocking Rafael Leão, 23, who shines at Milan. The same, let’s not rule out that tomorrow he will uncover himself against Switzerland. Despite everything, he is about to sign a two-and-a-half-year contract with Al-Nasrr, from Saudi Arabia, in exchange for 200 million. A golden retirement.

In Qatar 2022

We are in England-Senegal, Al Bayt stadium, which means “the house”, since it resembles a Bedouin tent in homage to the inhabitants of the desert. It looks practically full (68,895 seats), although the public climate is not even 10% as effervescent as that of Argentina-Australia. Just a few Senegalese drums with fans painted in the tribal style make a bit of noise. But far from the thunderous “Boys… I’m getting very drunk tonight…” and the spectacle that the Argentine fans gave the day before. Luckily the dangerous hooligans no longer come, they really don’t exist anymore, they were exterminated by the English Government in combination with the Football Association, however, they were hot and the “England” (which sounded “in-ga-lan, i n-ga-lan, in-ga-lan…” it thundered. Today’s fans don’t even sing in the bathroom.

Directed by Iván Barton, a Salvadoran referee designated by Javier Castrilli as the revelation of the World Cup in terms of refereeing. Another with a high note is the Venezuelan Jesús Valenzuela. Everything has changed. In the past, the whistle was a topic for the English, Germans, Swiss… It is the World Cup with the best behavior, there are almost no expelled. Just 2 in 52 games, that is, nothing. At first we thought of a deliberate soft hand from FIFA to publicize fair play, but in truth it was not enough to expel. One of those who received the red card was the author of Cameroon’s goal against Brazil, Aboubakar, for taking off his shirt and celebrating, the other the Welsh goalkeeper because a striker was leaving and brought him down outside the area. Rough play, a little.

England in a World Cup is always a good programme. We will always be grateful to them, they invented football and did not collect royalties. And more against Senegal, which had been preceded by a certain reputation as a surprise team, especially due to its physical power. Although it is Senegal without Mané, which is saying enough. Sadio is the different one, the scorer, the leader, the thinker of this group. Best African set started. As always, with runs, with effort, but without precision in the elaboration, without ingenuity. They never have “the” crack that Africans make a difference. They had a very clear chance to get up on the card with a left-footed shot from Boulaye Dia that went inside, but it was saved by the temperamental Jordan Pickford, the efficient Everton goalkeeper. But that Senegalese pre-eminence melted as soon as England scored the goal. Minute 40, precise and precious pass from Harry Kane (fantastic passer) to Jude Bellingham, he entered like a rocket from the left and served a cross from behind that found Henderson, who came riding and touched it with his left foot. The center back is still as lethal as ever, it is one hundred and fifty years old and it is the latest fashion.

Senegal disappeared and they didn’t find it anymore. From there to the end it was a matter of sewing and singing for the heirs of Bobby Charlton. Kane, with a right bomb, put the second, the most beautiful of the night. Saka then decorated the result after a nice cross from Phil Foden. Senegal, who got Ecuador out of the tournament, almost did not compete against England. They attacked him little and converted him a lot. “You live with the hope of becoming a memory,” said the poet, no one will remember this team.

It has an easy trigger England. The goal goes anywhere. Light forwards and everyone reaches the area. A thinker -Kane- two fast forwards -Saka and Foden- and a talent behind that unbalances by skill and speed -Jude Bellingham-. And some steering wheel that always accompanies. He has a great change of pace in three quarters of the field and surprises.

Everything for France

In the afternoon, in a tighter duel than the score says, France issued the return ticket for Poland, which perhaps made its best presentation. Mbappé is still in Terminator mode and has already scored 5 goals, and almost has the Golden Boot in his suitcase. He is the bullet man. Any mortal with such physical power, if he knows a little about soccer, he is already a figure.

The Cup promises some crazy quarterfinals: Argentina-Holland are already sure, with all the history behind them (they collided in the final, semifinal and quarterfinals of different editions), and England-France, a classic with more rivalry between nations than soccer. Only the enunciation of their names makes the clash unmissable. They only looked ugly at each other twice in a World Cup and both times England won: 2-0 in 1966 and 2-1 in 1982. Even in history, those of the Blonde Albion are up 17 victories to 9.

But that was before, now it is another France, very powerful, evolved, champion, mentally strong. The key character there will be Kyle Walker, Manchester City’s right-back. He is going to be in charge of stopping Mbappé. A duel of those, because Walker is also a physical mace, a marvel of muscles and sinews. And with the face of a nightclub doorman. Two bulls. We’ll see if it stops the Paris car. And a Spain-Portugal could easily take place. Three-Great Duels-three.

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