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That's what I like about most of this Spain team— they DON'T do what Yamal and Pedri did. Almost never dwelling on the ball except when absolutely necessary (save for those two).

That's always been the case. Hope he'll get smarter as he matures.

Yep. Martinez appears to be doing the same with Portugal. Can't say why, but whatever his instructions are, it pulls the life out of the team.

Spain team has much more fluid better movement than Barca (especially with Pedri on the bench). Lewandowski was a limit as well.

That's why he didn't start.

He's predictable. Robben was predictable, too, but able to beat players anyhow. Yamal is now a known quantity and can be handled by good sides. He needs to mix it up more. More often than not, the ball comes to his feet on the wing and the play dies for 4-6 seconds while defenders close him down...

What? Spain utterly sliced through Belgium with ease. What game were you watching?

Both Yamal and Pedri thinking they're invincible losing the ball in the middle of the field.

Dumbshit Pedri loss of the ball

France has a Swiss cheese midfield for a team as good as Spain, who will penetrate them with ease. France will try to beat them on the counter with their speed. Could go either way. I'm leaning Spain right now.

What a pleasure to watch this Spain team. So precise with their passing. Great positioning off the ball, great knowledge of where their teammates are. Olmo continuing his technical and creative brilliance. Doku is their main threat. Pedri correctly benched. Bring him on later when his slow...

Frustrating by Morocco. Playing way too casual in possession. Nearly everyone dwelling on the ball instead of keeping it moving with available players.

Rafinha is a more positionally fluid player than Lamal, which might account for some of Cancelo's excelling on the left.

Fantastic news. Predictably pedestrian in Xavi's pedestrian system. With Flick's more fluid system, his talents can shine.

Cancelo actually is a natural right back and Flick played him there several times. So that gives some flexibility if Barca can hire a good LB.

Boring-ass game, and another terrible penalty shootout.

Well they tried but he broke and stayed on his feet (would have won the foul if he'd gone down). They weren't willing to hack him down with pure cynical yellow card foul, which most teams would have done.

For some reason, he got it in his head early on he has to make some kind of signature on penalties rather than just picking a spot and putting in on a dime like he can.

I think Spain should beat this Belgium but it's not a given.

Another few minutes left for Doku to get his.