Soloball🇵🇹

What an outrageous free kick from Arda Güler. The distance and technique were ridiculous.

Barcelona fans have spent so much time comparing Pedri and Fermin to Bellingham when Güler is the better player. Show me Pedri or Fermin scoring a free kick like that and I'll stop watching football for five months.

People once argued that Mbappé should be dropped from France's starting XI because he was a liability.

Tonight showed exactly why that argument was ridiculous. France's attack is never complete without him. He's the force of nature who can produce something out of nothing. Whatever anyone thinks of Mbappé, there is no France at the same level without him.

France's golden era might be coming to an end sooner than people think. We're finally realising how important Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kanté were to that World Cup-winning team.

Since they stopped playing for France, the team's midfield control and overall level have declined significantly. Talent alone cannot replace what those two brought to the side.

France have world-class attacking and defensive talent, yet their midfield remains mediocre.

It was a major weakness at the World Cup, and Italy are exposing it again. France cannot control the game or dominate midfield, and Italy have taken advantage to come from behind and lead in France. All that talent, but still no midfield capable of bringing it together.

Morgan Rogers is thriving for club and country, while Cole Palmer is nowhere near the England setup.

The idea of Palmer is currently much better than the player we're watching. His reputation is still carrying him, because he hasn't looked elite lately.

Meanwhile, Morgan Rogers and João Pedro have been stepping up and carrying Chelsea's attack. The gap in current form is becoming impossible to ignore.