Interpolic

No idea about the players but there was endless arrogance from English pundits and fans in the build up to the game. Baffles me why anyone will loudly boast they're going to stuff an underdog before a game - if it happens then you're not exactly Nostradamus, if it doesn't then you look stupid and arrogant. And it motivates the opposition, if anything.

That would have been some assist from Mbappe

It's a huge problem. As good as Phillips was vs Croatia he was barely a factor last night. We don't seem to have a player that can link up play from deep, all of our players with the ability and vision to do this play further forward. I've not seen enough of Bellingham but my understanding is he's more of a box to box all rounder so not sure he'd be the answer either. Arguably you could say it suggests Mount isn't doing his job properly but that's a lot of responsibility to place on one player.

The performance last night actually made me re-evaluate the one against Croatia tbh. That's 4 games in a month with little urgency and not a lot of goal threat, which is unacceptable when you consider our attacking options. At least we've not conceded for a while, but even that was looking shaky against the 3rd lowest ranked team in the competition last night. I still think you need to pick players based on form and Sterling should never have came into this tournament ahead of Sancho on that basis. Yes, Sterling can make things happen but when his confidence isn't quite there he's very untidy and can be anonymous against sides sitting back. God knows what Sancho has done not to play a minute so far. There are a lot of worrying signs - Kane looking a shadow of his self, Foden looking inhibited compared to his usual self, the huge gap between midfield and the forwards, the eye bleedingly slow build up. It needs to click for us in a big way against the Czechs, we need to blow them away and build some momentum or we'll go out of this tournament with a whimper. As for Scotland I don't believe they're getting enough credit in here for their performance. They didn't go to Wembley to kick us and hoof it, they matched us all over the park and played some decent stuff as well. Arguably they should have won the game, and might have done with a better finisher on the pitch. Fair play to them, a very good performance in a game where nobody gave them a chance.

Absolutely fucking dreadful, that.

He'll be happy.

Wew that's good news.

Can confirm.

Belgium are all over the shop!

My favourite thing about this Italy setup is how un-Italian it is. I've been watching Italian national sides since the early 90s and always wondered why they mostly insisted on shutting up shop at 1-0 in an attempt to kill the game, despite the amazing attacking talent they always have in their side. It's like they would intentionally make it difficult for themselves as it was in their DNA to do so, when they could have doubtless steamrolled most sides with different tactics. Ironically this isn't anywhere near the most gifted set of attackers they've ever had but they are playing with so much energy and freedom now. Hope they don't go into their shell against better sides because they look like they could cause anyone problems at the moment.

10 subs in the 2nd half. Meant to add 30 secs for each. Assume we'll be seeing a lot more injury time due to this 5 subs rule.

It was fine in the World Cup a few years back as well, might be a case of the PL having to take a look at themselves and ask why they're so shit at applying it.

Why is it always reported this way with us, like Ashley is a benevolent owner and we need to be concerned with his personal finances? A better tweet would be "Chronically tight Newcastle owner will allow club to spend £50m of its own money on transfers this summer, including wages over the course of the new players' contract(s)"

Rooney, Shearer

Lovely goal, that.

First 20 minutes were good, with us mixing it up effectively and getting in behind their defence and making them look ordinary. Rest of the half was ropey. Second half didn't start well, then there was the goal and I thought the period after that was the most telling. Foden started roving around and seeking out the ball and we started looking a hell of a lot more fluid. The lesson is we were far too rigid before then and had to resort to hoofing it as everyone was marked. Sterling gave us something extra and we need that type of player starting but wouldn't mind seeing Sancho there. Would prefer James and Shaw/Chilwell at full back. Phillips MOTM, he was everywhere and very aggressive in his play. Overall a solid start with encouraging signs.

Heartened by the last 5 minutes of the half there as the 15 minutes before that were dreadful. Need to get Sterling and Foden in behind more often.

Av it

Great start, this.

Sancho not even on the bench? Christ.

You started it m8

I feel a bit sad for Finland as their huge moment has been overshadowed by what happened. Hope they build on the result and qualify for the knockouts.

Sterling ahead of Grealish and Sancho is absolute madness.