Spain v Portugal

[Spijed]

Quite an entertaining game so far.

Does Ronaldo pick himself

[Bordeauxclaret]

Excellent game so far.

[ClaretTony]

Enjoyable first half

[RVclaret]

Spain are a seriously good watch.

[appleton]

As I said in the England thread....
Portugal v Spain shows what a game between two teams who want to play a game of football looks like. Yesterday showed something quite different.

[Tribesmen]

I think Spain will step up when they need to and I can see more goals in this one .

[appleton]

I believe it is called entertainment.

[cornishclaret]

The difference is spain constantly move the ball at pace non of the ponderous slow stuff that we serve up

[Spijed]

99 year old Ronaldo scores.

Mendes is arguably one of the best players in the world at the moment.

[jos]

Well taken goal from the old man

[Vegas Claret]

I just hope the day someone boots Cucurella into a stand it's caught in full HD and multiple angles

[fidelcastro]

I just hope the day someone boots Cucurella into a stand it's caught in full HD and multiple angles

Yep. Just for having hair like that!

[Bordeauxclaret]

Keepers get injured a lot nowadays don’t they.

[agreenwood]

I’m watching this and thinking that the football calendar is just bonkers.

Our season finished over 5 weeks ago. We’ve still got internationals going on as late as next week and then the World Club Cup starts next weekend and runs until mid July. Some of the top players are going to be knackered, injured or both at this rate.

The odd numbered years used to represent a decent summer break. Now UEFA and FIFA have found ways to fill them.

I love football, but it’s just silly.

[ClaretTony]

I’m watching this and thinking that the football calendar is just bonkers.

Our season finished over 5 weeks ago. We’ve still got internationals going on as late as next week and then the World Club Cup starts next weekend and runs until mid July. Some of the top players are going to be knackered, injured or both at this rate.

The odd numbered years used to represent a decent summer break. Now UEFA and FIFA have found ways to fill them.

I love football, but it’s just silly.

I was thinking that myself. I know we were one of the first to finish but there’s just no break now.

[agreenwood]

I was thinking that myself. I know we were one of the first to finish but there’s just no break now.

Just what these players need - extra time.

[ClaretLoup]

Zeki Amdouni played for Switzerland yesterday, he scored after coming on as a sub.

The Cuckoo Clock men won 4 - 2 & were playing Mexico in Salt Lake City Utah. What's that about?

[Clarky]

That No 17 substitute for Portugal looks a handful., don't know which club he plays for..

[ClaretTony]

Just what these players need - extra time.

Never mind them - I’ve had to make another brew

[distortiondave]

What's the point of this competition again? Do you get a bye to the Euro's or something?

[jos]

Yep. Just for having hair like that!

Karma might play a part in his old age and he goes bald, because he abused the privilege of having so much hair.

[ClaretTony]

What's the point of this competition again? Do you get a bye to the Euro's or something?

It was supposedly to remove pointless friendlies

[distortiondave]

Isn't England's next game a friendly?

[ClaretTony]

Isn't England's next game a friendly?

Yes it is but we have played games in this competition.

[Vegas Claret]

well deserved win, pleased Spain didn't win yet again

[Vegas Claret]

pleased for Roberto Martinez too, always comes across as a decent bloke

[distortiondave]

well deserved win, pleased Spain didn't win yet again

Yeah, but what's the prize? My question farther up wasn't rhetorical, I honestly don't know what the material reward for winning this is.

[Commy]

Yeah, but what's the prize? My question farther up wasn't rhetorical, I honestly don't know what the material reward for winning this is.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Nations_League

[AfloatinClaret]

Yeah, but what's the prize?... I honestly don't know what the material reward for winning this is.

It saves you from having to turn out for a friendly against Senegal.

[distortiondave]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Nations_League

Cheers, yeah. I thought asking in what is supposed to be a bit of an online community whilst the final of the competition is in progress might lead to conversation about it, but you're right, I can just google it and avoid all interaction entirely.

[Devils_Advocate]

Nations League is good for the group B and C teams as it gives them an extra opportunity to qualify for the World Cup if they fain in the normal qualifying stages. For group A teams I think it just means you get more games against better opposition with a tinge of competitiveness

[Quicknick]

I'm in Portugal. Wish Spain had won.

[claretburns]

Yeah, but what's the prize? My question farther up wasn't rhetorical, I honestly don't know what the material reward for winning this is.

For the top nations it is just a chance to say you have won a meaningless trophy.

Just 2nd and 3rd tier nations in Leagues B and C it gives them a chance to get a play off place for the following World Cup/Euros.

For example Wales won their league group so if they fail in World Cup Qualifying they'll have a play off semi final and final to try and qualify, it is how Scotland qualified for Euro 2020 by winning their Nations League Play Off.