The great German teams could raise their games to suit the occasion, but this new side seem to do the polar oppositeEverything is connected. A whistle blows in Doha and within fractions of seconds, via a lattice of mobile phone networks and whispers and nudges, its sound has somehow travelled the 30 miles to Al Khor. And the cheer around the stadium gives the game away, and on the Germany bench Hansi Flick senses a change in the air, and he takes a look around, and he glances at his bench, and he knows, he just knows. He turns back to face the pitch. But his hands are in his pockets, and his thoughts are elsewhere.Everything is connected. A World...
Twenty-three nations have booked their places for the World Cup in Russia, with the holders and Brazil looking in good shape but we rank England in 13th place, below IcelandIf the world champions were frustrated by their failure to win continental honours at Euro 2016 they have certainly taken it out on everyone else since. Germany won 10 qualifying games out of 10 and, even if San Marino’s presence in Group C needs taking into account, a record 43 goals scored suggests things are back in their old working order. So too did their Confederations Cup title in July, achieved with an experimental squad; Joachim Löw can select from an unrivalled depth of talent and, while winning back-to-back World Cups...
After two defeats, the US are struggling in World Cup qualifying and Jürgen Klinsmann is an isolated figure. At least Christian Pulisic looks goodFor much of his first World Cup cycle, Jürgen Klinsmann’s glass half-full approach seemed like a calming signal. But as his second cycle has stumbled from setback to mini-revival to bigger setback, his unwillingness to take responsibility looks to have made him an increasingly isolated figure. Related: USA slump to 4-0 defeat in Costa Rica as pressure builds on Jürgen Klinsmann Continue reading...
The US are already lagging behind their rivals in World Cup qualifying. Their defenders in particular will need to improve at a venue where they are winlessIf there was any consolation for USA after the 2-1 defeat to Mexico on Friday night ended the 15-year sequence of 2-0 wins in Columbus, it might have been that no record lasts forever. And as the team move on to their next World Cup qualifier in San Jose on Tuesday night, they could really do with doing what no US team has ever done in 10 games — win in Costa Rica.To anyone who finds that 0-8-2 record in Costa Rica puzzling, given that the US beat Costa Rica 4-0 in the Copa...