Finishing first isn’t always a wise move. Just ask England.
After days of non-stop action, World Cup 2018 has advanced to the Round of 16. The prevailing logic is that every team wanted to finish at the top of their group, to be top four of those sixteen remaining teams.
I don’t agree…at least where England is concerned. If England had beaten Belgium in their last group match, they could have finished first in their group.
It was a goal to pursue, right? Well, then, why did the Brits play with their substitutes, changing eight of their players?
What in the world happened? Brazil is what happened.
If they had finished first in their group, England could have faced Brazil next, a very hard opponent, in the quarterfinals. As losers, England will now play Colombia.
Courtesy: Business Insider UK
Was this a tactic that no one saw coming? Did Gareth Southgate and England do what the Americans call “tanking”?
To answer, let’s back up a bit. This year England have a young squad with tremendous form and chemistry. They weren’t seen as a big team coming into the tournament, largely because they are inexperienced. England aren’t seen in the same light as ‘heavyweight’ counterparts, like Germany and Argentina.
But, now, England are one of the favourites to win the World Cup. What a turnaround!
Not since 1990 have England gotten past the quarterfinals stage and they haven’t won a knockout match in 12 years. But 2018 seems to be their perfect chance to end all of that–perhaps even winning the Cup, too–especially with Harry Kane racing towards that Golden Boot.
