World Cup 2026

Did Popovic not realise how Toure plays and PC does. It will be interesting to see how Toure is used this season and what supply he receives. Toure likewise needs to improve his game though with the likes of Harland and Messi walking about and poach finishing it seems he's not alone. And then there's Mbappe. He gets involved and finishes, thats how we want Toure to build up to.
Below is and excerpt from Football360's assessment of Toure at the WC.

Football360's Toure WC Assessment

Australia often seemed reluctant to commit numbers forward in transition moments often leaving players like Irankunda and later Touré isolated, without even players rushing forward to win the second ball.
Irankunda was often found isolated in 1v1 situations with little support against Egypt.
“Part of this struggle was the output of Mohamed Touré. Coming into the World Cup off the back of a sensational start to life at Norwich City in which he registered nine goals and three assists in seven Championship starts, expectations for Touré were naturally high. Yet Touré struggled to impose himself on games against Turkiye and the USA, and after being substituted at half-time for Nestor Irankunda against the USA in Seattle, Touré was relegated to the bench for the games against Paraguay and Egypt. When he played, Australia struggled to utilise his strengths. Touré is a poacher; his game is playing off the shoulder of the last defender. Yet the Socceroos almost never found him in these situations.
Instead, most of his touches were in wider, channel areas or in duels with opposing centre-backs, situations from which he struggled. These situations, and in general the way Australia sought to involve their centre-forward, suited Nestor Irankunda’s profile better – Irankunda is better in the air, (Touré won 2/9 of his aerial duels as opposed to Irankunda’s 7/14) more comfortable dropping deep and playing in wider channels.
“This ultimately seemed to be the legacy of a playing style established when Mitchell Duke was Australia’s starting striker. Duke did his best work in these situations, operating as a hold-up/link striker capable of winning aerial duels, while Touré is extremely dangerous when released in behind due to his speed. The Socceroos need to adjust their attacking style to get the best out of Touré. ”

Excerpt From

“Australia's potential 2030 squad is amazing but current to-do list clear, led by key stat Socceroos were second worst at World Cup in”

Football360

apple.news

Australia's potential 2030 squad is amazing but current to-do list clear, led by key stat Socceroos were second worst at World Cup in — Football360

DALLAS, TEXAS — Australia’s World Cup ended in heartbreak on Friday night with a penalty-shootout loss to Egypt in Dallas – a tough end to a game which both teams had chances to win in normal and then extra time.
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So the first blockbuster semi final has been determined - France v Spain

Now we just have to sit and wait for about 17 hours counting down for our time

Norway v England 22:00.

Quietly confident.
 
I was 16 in Norwich at home with mum and dad and my brother and remember going absolutely nuts during that game especially at the end
 
Here we go - 40 mins to KO my feed starts in 10 mins - strange they usually had England starting an hour before like Australia but its only half an hour.
Two matches back to back with Argentina v Switzerland following at 02:00
France v Spain and potentially England v Argentina - thats one huge pair of crunch matches. Would Argentina prefer Norway to England and all our histories with them? Or are we in for some big surprises?. Excitement building.
 
Norway coach was very angry when Bellingham scored - threw his water bottle so hard like a missile - must be some penalty fir that
 
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