As for Russian team, nobody expected them to play so well. Quarter final is a great achievement, actually. The last time Soviet team played in 1/4 of World cup was in 1970.
By the way, England has many fans in Russia. Im not one of them, but I remeber their couch since Euro-96. Then he missed the after match penalty, England was eliminated from the home Euro. Poor Southgate, he looked so upset... I felt sorry for him.
shooting civilian airplanes from the sky, invading and annexing neighbouring nations territory, murdering political dissidents, persecution of gays and lesbians, state sponsored cheating during olympics, bribing FIFA in order to host the WC...politics should be tied to hosting any sports competition, Russia should never have been allowed to host these games...
Semi Finals: Belgium vs France = France Croatia vs England = Croatia And Finals: France vs Croatia = France Belgium vs England = Belgium Now I really want to see an all-EU podium and a long awaited Engxit.
My picks: France vs Belgium - France (Titi would love nothing more than to beat France - second to getting to the finals of course. But Titi would not be very disappointed if France got to the finals either). England vs Croatia - England (Croatia have to be a bit spent but I would pick England even if Croatia won in regulation).
In a tournament where so many teams failed to play up to expectations Russia was a notable exception. From what I've seen your country has done a fine job of hosting the Cup, as well. Congratulations all the way around.
My Semifinal picks: Belgium - I'm not getting off the Red Devils' bandwagon until someone knocks me off. Regardless of who prevails I have the winner of this match hoisting the World Cup trophy on Sunday. England - I'm totally rooting for Croatia but England appears to be the better team right now.
Brazils Naymayer should get the Oscar for his acting performance in the World Cup.He spent more time writhing around on his back faking injuries than he did on his feet!!Best player I have seen for his consistent performance No.10 for Croatia,I think his name is Medic???
Belgium because they have the tools to do it, legit title contender. Croatia, great midfield...England haven't impressed the only really good side they've faced was Belgium and they lost, granted neither one looked like they wanted to win but Belgium was imo the better side. Croatia can beat England I've no doubt about that. BUT! as I used to tell my teams "sometimes shitte happens" the better side doesn't always win.
This is true. I hope you're right about Croatia. I've been having a real difficult time reading England because of the competition they've faced. They made Sweden look awful last weekend but it's hard to tell who deserves the credit/blame for that. Either way, I'm hoping Modrić & Co. blows England's doors tomorrow. I like Croatia and I want to see England pay for sandbagging their way into that bracket.
sad day, Belgium out, devils shoulda had two in first half but that's sports, good match...pulling for Croatia tomorrow!
Vive la France! This game could have gone either way, in fact Belgium had the greater possession in the first half and were unlucky not to capitalize. All the commentators picked Belgium, so much for that. Allez les Bleus!
I agree with the commentators, Belgium had it but as I posted earlier "sometimes shitte happens" ...sometimes you play great and lose, sometimes you play like crap and win...a well played match regardless, congrats to France...
comments of Croatians being exhausted proved invalid, superior midfield was the difference...england's best performance since 1966, but they need to get shots on goal, should be back stronger next WC my english buddy picks France to win, I gotta go with the little guys with the fantastic midfield, control the midfield you control the game...Croatia for the win!
Looks like England was in a bad shape. The same as with Columbia they had an excellent first time and complete fail in a second time. Croatia's couch is smart, I'm pretty sure he did his bet on the second time with England... And by the way, Russia played better and stronger against Croatia than England.
Love it. I can't say enough about Croatia's midfield. They've been a joy to watch for old halfbacks like me and regardless of what happens Sunday Luka Modrić gets my vote for MVP of this tournament. France has been fantastic and Kylian Mbappé has been spectacular but if David slays Goliath this weekend it would make this Cup one for the ages. Go Croatia! By the way, is it just me or do these guys look like they're ready to go on a picnic?
I warned people about playing Three Lions on a Shirt/that old Euro Cup 96 song... They jinxed it for England, because only I seem to see a correlation of not winning any trophies and that song. I warned them, they didn't listen to me - their fault.