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Posted by: PeteFromLeeds Jul 8 2018, 07:45 PM

The second semi-final sees England take on dark horses Croatia. The last time we were at a semi-final my parents were still teenagers


The game is live on ITV. Please use this thread for speculation, pre and post match chat on the England v Croatia game.


How do you see this going?

Posted by: Envoirment Jul 8 2018, 08:14 PM

1-0 to England. Hoping England play well. If they manage to beat Croatia with a large lead I'd be more confident in them being able to win against Belgium or France in the final.

Posted by: Rooney Jul 8 2018, 08:16 PM

I’m interested to see how England line up and whether we set up as normal or we go to flood the midfield with either Delph/Dier with Henderson. Personally I feel it will be another really tight game. I suspect Croatia will tire quicker than we will, which could be a massive factor in the latter stages of the game.

Posted by: Dobbo Jul 8 2018, 08:25 PM

I can still scarcely believe we're here. I really have no clue on this game at all, theoretically we should be much fresher than Croatia so if it goes the distance once again we should be favourites but can't allow myself to read too much into that.

Posted by: Steve201 Jul 8 2018, 08:31 PM

There's no way this isn't gonna go to penalties!!

Posted by: Steve201 Jul 8 2018, 08:32 PM

Oh god we have Ian Wright Lee Dixon Glenn Hoddle and Clive Tydsley to listen too!!

Posted by: Doctor Blind Jul 8 2018, 08:40 PM

Croatia's last 2 KO games have gone to penalties!

I am less confident about this than I was about Sweden, Croatia have been impressive so far. I expect it'll either go to penalties or Croatia will sneak through with a 2-1 win. I hope I'm wrong though!
Whatever happens the team have another game definitely (the 3rd place playoff) and can come home with their heads held high. : )

The last meeting of the two countries in 2009 was a massive 5-1 defeat for Croatia but that was a WC qualifier, and may have been revenge for the qualification game against them for Euro 2008 (Steve 'Wally with the Brolly' McClaren).

Posted by: Dobbo Jul 8 2018, 08:55 PM

Yep, the only good game Walcott ever played for England too that one!^

Posted by: Steve201 Jul 8 2018, 09:02 PM

Thing is I don't really want Croatia succeeding via another pen shootout as it'll look like they have fluked their way to a final!

Posted by: Suedehead2 Jul 8 2018, 09:06 PM

There's a lot riding on this game. Peru went into the World Cup as the holders of the Unofficial World Cup. They lost to Denmark who subsequently lost to Croatia. Therefore, Croatia are the current Unofficial World Champions and Wednesday will be their first title defence.

https://www.ufwc.co.uk

Posted by: Dobbo Jul 8 2018, 09:19 PM

Aha I forgot all about that side competition! Over 18 years since we held the honour.

Posted by: Evil Houdini Jul 8 2018, 11:05 PM

This will be a very close game and it could go to extra time, maybe even penalties. I've got a feeling that Croatia will win this though probably with a goal in the last few minutes of the match. Hopefully England will win instead as this kind of opportunity to get to a World Cup final might not come around for decades after this, I don't want anyone from Group D winning the World Cup as well


Also the England Women's team got to the semi final of the World Cup and the European Championship in recent years but lost both times so it would be nice to see a change for England.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 9 2018, 08:04 AM

Honesty not sure.

But this will be one of the most watched matches for a long time.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 9 2018, 05:11 PM

Who would you say has been the best player for England so far?

Posted by: Mart!n Jul 9 2018, 05:22 PM

I sincerely hope we win this since we have come this far, I've never expected to see them in the Semi's I think the score will be 2-1 to England, it just seems too good to be true, sometimes I have to pinch myself and the underdogs in this competition. We need to win this now, if we end up losing in the final to France, I don't mind that at least we got there.

Posted by: Rooney Jul 9 2018, 05:50 PM

Henderson or Stones for me.

Posted by: Dobbo Jul 9 2018, 09:13 PM

Kane Trippier & Pickford would be my top 3. Hendo has been good but I'm docking him points for missing his penalty.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 9 2018, 10:00 PM

Potentially more than 20m will be the figures for this game. I think England have the best chance that we may get for many years to reach a final.

Posted by: Rooney Jul 9 2018, 10:44 PM

Surely be more like 30m? There will be less public screenings so can see more people tuning in at home. Probably 80-85% audience percentage share.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 10 2018, 02:06 PM

Whatever happens, we will finish in the top 4 - something no-one would have predicted at the start of the WC!

Posted by: awardinary Jul 10 2018, 02:08 PM

How will England be ranked by the FIFA rankings as it stands?

Posted by: Queef of Skreech Jul 10 2018, 02:43 PM

At least this one won't be boring

England always mess up

Posted by: Mart!n Jul 10 2018, 02:51 PM

Well England got this far, look at Argentina, Spain, Germany they hardly got far They only lost 1 game against Belgium, I'm not really worried if we get defeated by Croatia, at least we get a chance to finish 3rd in the comp. Which is still a good outcome for them.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 08:07 AM

A chance for Sterling to get his act together.

Posted by: Midge Jul 11 2018, 10:50 AM

The loss against Belgium is irrelevant - both teams were playing their 2nd set of players.

I said before the SFs that England are destined to play Belgium again... Belgium went out so I guess that's what I'm expecting now for a 3rd/4th Playoff Place match up - I hope I'm wrong! I have faith to be honest, I think we can beat Croatia. I don't think we can beat France though

Posted by: ML Hammer95 Jul 11 2018, 11:21 AM

Feeling tense and wouldn't surprise me if this game went to extra time. Croatia have got the classier players, especially in midfield, but I think we may just edge it. Reckon Sterling will have a big game - he's the player who worries defences the most I reckon and can run at the tired Croatian defence.


This game just proves that international football is so much bigger than club football - even the Champions League. Definitely doesn't feel like 'just another game' the way the big Premier League games can do.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 12:38 PM

I can see this being a narrow win for Croatia by about a goal to nil.

Posted by: Mart!n Jul 11 2018, 01:29 PM

I still think England will win tonight, I think Gareth will tell the boys to go for it, Croatia will push forward, England need to dig deep and defend.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 01:46 PM

Where will you be watching the match?

Posted by: Oliver Jul 11 2018, 01:58 PM

Wouldn't that have been against Russia?

Posted by: Mart!n Jul 11 2018, 02:21 PM

At home, I don't do crowds

I was born in 1966 (April) my grandfather watched them win, sadly my grandfather passed away 2 years ago, if he was around now he be routing for them to win it. At least I get to see them win in my lifetime, if they go all the way.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 02:28 PM

I'll be watching at home too.

I like England to do it but I'm not sure if they will.

Posted by: Spiceboy Jul 11 2018, 03:33 PM

Fingers crossed I've been on edge all day!!! Either way, we have not got this far in the WC since I was 2 so I'm really proud of the team, but I would love love love to get to the final.

Theoretically we should win against Croatia, but that means nothing in this World Cup, it's been such a unpredictable World Cup. Either way I win tonight as Croatia are my sweepstake lol.

Posted by: PeteFromLeeds Jul 11 2018, 03:40 PM

Yeah there's no way I'd go anywhere where I'd probably end up with beer all over me to watch a football match Home is comfortable enough.

Posted by: Jade Jul 11 2018, 04:00 PM

I'm so nervous for tonight's match I'm another one who is watching at home. Keeping everything crossed! On the bright side, if England lose then it's a showdown of me vs. Mikey for the BuzzJack sweepstake crown but yeah c'mon England, it would be so incredible if we could progress to the final.

Posted by: Mart!n Jul 11 2018, 04:20 PM

Actually I forgot to look who I got in the sweepstake I've only just cottoned on its FRANCE

Posted by: Queef of Skreech Jul 11 2018, 04:27 PM

Oh MY Martin has won he buzzjack sweepstake!!

5-2 to Croatia

Posted by: Dobbo Jul 11 2018, 04:32 PM

In the BUSIEST BAR ever in central London & there's still 90 mins till start

Posted by: Mart!n Jul 11 2018, 04:35 PM

It probably take you 90 mins to get served

Posted by: Queef of Skreech Jul 11 2018, 04:48 PM

Bar prices in London on MATCH DAY?! No thanks!

Posted by: 🦁🦁🦁 Jul 11 2018, 05:23 PM

Let's not make my new username change a short-lived one xx

Posted by: mdh Jul 11 2018, 05:28 PM

You said England would get to the final yesterday

Posted by: Queef of Skreech Jul 11 2018, 05:42 PM

I said IF they got there

I still doubt them

Posted by: Evil Houdini Jul 11 2018, 05:51 PM

All of the people who hate football and live in England will be hoping that Croatia get the job done tonight

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 06:00 PM

Here we go then

Posted by: Jade Jul 11 2018, 06:06 PM

GET IN THERE!!!!!

Posted by: PeteFromLeeds Jul 11 2018, 06:06 PM

Well that was quick! Keep it up guys.

Posted by: Mart!n Jul 11 2018, 06:06 PM

It's coming home

Posted by: Eleni Foureira Jul 11 2018, 06:06 PM

Already!

Posted by: 🦁🦁🦁 Jul 11 2018, 06:07 PM

Omg it's happening

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 06:08 PM

Bloody hell Trippier.

Posted by: Queef of Skreech Jul 11 2018, 06:14 PM

Omg

Waterloo tomorrow then in the final!!

France will win, but second place, I mean who'd have thought it!! We can be MORE than happy with 2nd.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 06:22 PM

Offside from Kane. Rats.

Posted by: Iz Jul 11 2018, 06:24 PM

NOICE start though. Let’s keep it up.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 06:28 PM

We need a second goal ideally.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 06:30 PM

Oh man, Harry Kane. What a chance.

Posted by: Mart!n Jul 11 2018, 06:31 PM

Missed a golden opportunity

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 06:35 PM

Another chance squandered. Oh Lingarrd.

Posted by: dandy* Jul 11 2018, 06:36 PM

I do wish they wouldn’t pass all the way back so often, makes me nervous every time and Croatia seem to be much more aware of it than the other teams we’ve faced.

Posted by: Mart!n Jul 11 2018, 06:36 PM

Could have been 3-0 up

Posted by: Seinfeld Jul 11 2018, 06:40 PM

These missed chances are going to cost us. Please get another for f*** sake.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 06:41 PM

Doesn't do my nerves good that all as well.

Posted by: Tombo Jul 11 2018, 06:41 PM

‪From London To Berlin for #1 if we win the World Cup! ⚽️ ‬

Posted by: PeteFromLeeds Jul 11 2018, 06:44 PM

So many missed chances this half, hope that doesn't come back to bite us. The Russians booing whenever Vida gets the ball is a bit unnerving.

Posted by: Jay ☆ Jul 11 2018, 06:48 PM

So glad that England didn't concede a goal just before half-term - I couldn't watch! D:

(Think this is my first post in the sports forum argh)


Edit: Half-time, not half-term

Posted by: Mart!n Jul 11 2018, 06:50 PM

The next 45 minutes are going to be nail-biting, we should have been 3 up

Posted by: Rooney Jul 11 2018, 06:51 PM

Passing from the back is fine.. but the problem is we usually pass it to Pickford who hoofs the ball and gives the ball back to Croatia.

We are playing ok. Croatia are completely dominating the midfield as you would expect but it's meaning we are almost a back 5 at times. It's on a knife edge at the moment, unfortunately we are playing the right way but Henderson either overhits the final pass, or the attacking players are not making the right runs.

Posted by: Envoirment Jul 11 2018, 06:51 PM

come on England *_* Hopefully the second half will play out like the first, but without the missed oppotunities!

Posted by: Suedehead2 Jul 11 2018, 06:51 PM

Welcome to the Sports forum

Posted by: Chez Wombat Jul 11 2018, 06:53 PM

About as perfect a start as we could ask for, but it's been awfully tense after that and some of those missed chances were crucial. Obvs I wouldn't mind if it stayed like this, but Croatia can easily come back from this like they have in other matches so another goal from us plz~

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 06:54 PM

Indeed welcome to the Sports forum, Jay.

Posted by: Evil Houdini Jul 11 2018, 06:54 PM

England are playing a lot better than Croatia at the moment, Croatia have been absolute shite! The game so far is reminding me of the 1999 Champions League final and how that game started. England will hope that it doesn't end in the same way that match ended.

Posted by: mdh Jul 11 2018, 06:55 PM

It's been a largely good performance - I think we need to settle the nerves a bit though, hence all the passes back to Pickford.

Sterling is looking like our weapon right now, get the ball down to him and Jesse and we'll have plenty of chances to shove the ball in the area.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 06:56 PM

The Russian fans are booing Vida after Vida said 'This is for Ukraine' after Croatia's win v Russia.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 07:09 PM

Please can we not bring politics into this, Thank you.

Posted by: Jay ☆ Jul 11 2018, 07:12 PM

My first post in this forum was ruined by a typo of half-time as half-term

I'll go back to just lurking

Posted by: Suedehead2 Jul 11 2018, 07:24 PM

There was me thinking it might have been an egg corn

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 07:25 PM

Oh no.

Posted by: Eleni Foureira Jul 11 2018, 07:25 PM

NO

Posted by: Envoirment Jul 11 2018, 07:25 PM

Damn it. Don't lose this England!

Posted by: PeteFromLeeds Jul 11 2018, 07:26 PM

Urgh. That's what you get for missing all those chances.

Posted by: Mart!n Jul 11 2018, 07:26 PM

f***

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 07:28 PM

We REALLY needed that second goal.

Posted by: Jay ☆ Jul 11 2018, 07:29 PM

Get a grip, England!!

Posted by: Envoirment Jul 11 2018, 07:29 PM

Good save from Pickford. So close to being down 2-1.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 07:30 PM

Got to settle down now.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 07:33 PM

These last 15 minutes, get the ball up.

Posted by: Envoirment Jul 11 2018, 07:35 PM

So many missed oppotunities this game

Posted by: Queef of Skreech Jul 11 2018, 07:37 PM

Oh well. 4th place is good. England ALWAYS messes up. They can't handle the pressure of the fans/ media.

Posted by: LeeWallace Jul 11 2018, 07:39 PM

Croatia will be more tired if it goes to extra time but Croatia really look like they will snatch the winner!

Posted by: Mart!n Jul 11 2018, 07:40 PM

Are we going to win this on penalties again

Posted by: LeeWallace Jul 11 2018, 07:41 PM

C’mon Croatia! They honestly deserve it after this second half performance! All England seem to score from it set pieces too!

Posted by: LeeWallace Jul 11 2018, 07:41 PM

Croatia have won their last two penalty shoot outs though!

Posted by: Envoirment Jul 11 2018, 07:45 PM

Croatia do seem to be getting a bit tired now compared to England. Hopefully that'll give England a chance for a goal before extra time is called.

Posted by: Queef of Skreech Jul 11 2018, 07:46 PM

How long will extra time be?

Posted by: Envoirment Jul 11 2018, 07:47 PM

30 minutes.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 07:48 PM

Ok free kick.

Posted by: PeteFromLeeds Jul 11 2018, 07:51 PM

Extra time. At least they didn't concede one at the end there.

Posted by: Envoirment Jul 11 2018, 07:51 PM

I think England will have a better chance in extra time. This game is so close I can barely watch.

Posted by: Evil Houdini Jul 11 2018, 07:52 PM

France will be loving this, both England and Croatia wearing themselves out while they sit back and relax with their feet up at the hotel.

Posted by: danG Jul 11 2018, 07:52 PM

England could still do this I guess but Croatia seem like they're doing better.

Posted by: Dircadirca Jul 11 2018, 07:52 PM

Slightly mad at Croatia because it's 4am here and I want to go to bed, but still what a thrilling game.

Posted by: Mart!n Jul 11 2018, 07:53 PM

In the next half an hour I'm going to start pulling my hair

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 07:54 PM

Please not penalties again.

Posted by: Seinfeld Jul 11 2018, 07:54 PM

Kane has been surprisingly wasteful in front of goal.

Posted by: Suedehead2 Jul 11 2018, 07:55 PM

So far, every match that has gone to extra-time has ended up with a penalty shoot-out.

Posted by: Evil Houdini Jul 11 2018, 07:55 PM

This is what it must have felt like in 1990 for those who are old enough to remember that. The tension in this match is almost unbearable!

Posted by: Rooney Jul 11 2018, 07:56 PM

Squeaky bum time, we were lucky to get to extra time. Our full backs were getting absolutely destroyed, still in with a chance. I’d take penalties now as Croatia have been the better side.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 08:05 PM

Off the line there, what a moment for Stones.

Posted by: Mart!n Jul 11 2018, 08:12 PM

The match has lost its zing

Posted by: PeteFromLeeds Jul 11 2018, 08:16 PM

18 members reading a thread in the Sports Forum - that must be some sort of record

EDIT: 20 now!

Posted by: T Boy Jul 11 2018, 08:21 PM

Shit.

Posted by: danG Jul 11 2018, 08:21 PM

well goodbye our chances of going to the final.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 08:21 PM

Oh shit.

Posted by: Queef of Skreech Jul 11 2018, 08:21 PM

Posted by: Mart!n Jul 11 2018, 08:22 PM

f***

Posted by: WhoOdyssey Jul 11 2018, 08:22 PM

Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

I guess this will be my last post in this section for a while...

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 08:23 PM

22 minutes away from a World Cup final and then we messed up.

Posted by: 5 Silas Frøkner Jul 11 2018, 08:24 PM

35m people just suddenly became available for plans on sunday afternoon

Posted by: PeteFromLeeds Jul 11 2018, 08:24 PM

Nine minutes to do the impossible...

Posted by: dandy* Jul 11 2018, 08:24 PM

That had been coming to be fair - a shame but they’ve still done far better than I would ever have expected

Posted by: LeeWallace Jul 11 2018, 08:25 PM

It’s coming home

Posted by: T Boy Jul 11 2018, 08:25 PM

Even if England don’t make it, they can be proud. This team have done something England haven’t done for decades-worked as a team. They want this so bad, for each other. Not as individuals which is a mistake previous squads made and actually put me off England. There was too much celeb culture involved. This team is young and fresh and this is just the beginning.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 08:26 PM

England's going home, it's going home....

Posted by: Envoirment Jul 11 2018, 08:27 PM

Aw darn it. Well England have done really well to get to the semis. Unless a miracle happens it looks like they're coming home.

Posted by: Mart!n Jul 11 2018, 08:29 PM

We need a miracle now

Posted by: T Boy Jul 11 2018, 08:33 PM

4 minutes, anything could happen.

Posted by: LeeWallace Jul 11 2018, 08:34 PM

One shot on goal is horrific in 120 minutes

Posted by: Queef of Skreech Jul 11 2018, 08:36 PM

Someone bought fireworks for the final on me street, but they are setting them off now!!

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 08:37 PM

And England are out of the World Cup.

Posted by: PeteFromLeeds Jul 11 2018, 08:38 PM

What a shame. Nice to see Croatia get to their first World Cup Final anyway.

Posted by: Envoirment Jul 11 2018, 08:38 PM

Oh well that's England out. They did so well to get to the semis, no one was even expecting them to get so far.

England vs Belgium for 3rd place on saturday.

Posted by: LeeWallace Jul 11 2018, 08:38 PM

Deserved result.

Poor performance by England from the second half onwords!

Posted by: Iz Jul 11 2018, 08:42 PM

Aww, it was fun while it lasted. Well done to Croatia, I shall be supporting them to go all of the way. They played better than us in that match and fully deserved it.

We had better put out in the 3rd place match as well, but well done England for getting this far.

Posted by: Conderella Jul 11 2018, 08:42 PM

i guess i won't need to wonder~

Posted by: Bré Jul 11 2018, 08:42 PM

Ahh well we did better than anyone predicted to make the semis to be fair. No shame in this.

All the way Hrvatska to bring it home now please!

Posted by: Jade Jul 11 2018, 08:43 PM

It's great that we made it this far but gutting all the same that we fell before the final hurdle

Croatia better give me that sweepstake glory now

Posted by: dandy* Jul 11 2018, 08:45 PM

Not to be!

I still feel really proud of them though, a really good run.

Posted by: Queef of Skreech Jul 11 2018, 08:45 PM

Who was the one who said it was their destiny for England to play Belgium again??

Posted by: Mart!n Jul 11 2018, 08:48 PM

To be or not to be, it was good while it lasted, I didn't expect them to get this far, its the best we've been for a long time in a major competition.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 11 2018, 08:53 PM

They have done better than I expected them to get.

Posted by: Chez Wombat Jul 11 2018, 08:57 PM

There’s really nothing to be discouraged about at all - we did all we could and dispelled a lot of myths and got England truly united for the first time in a long time, we weren’t at our best this game and Croatia were never to be underestimated and were clearly used to extra time playoffs! I’m really pleased with our team and just hope they keep this up for future tournaments. It makes a change not being ashamed of them for once.

Anyway, Croatia were actually a hell of a lot better than their last games and deserved to win, I’d like if they could challenge France (though I’m still rooting for them primarily to win me money ), must be absolutely SHATTERED with all their games going to extra time though!

Posted by: Mart!n Jul 11 2018, 08:58 PM

I think I fancy Croatia to win on Sunday now, I did say at the start of the tournament they were one of my favourite teams to win, plus it be a new country that has never won a major competition.

Posted by: Rooney Jul 11 2018, 09:00 PM

A real shame, but Croatia were the better side. Unfortunately the game showed two things; we are not quite good enough (we made sloppy mistakes for both goals which were easily avoidable) and the squad isn’t there. We were knackered and could have done with a couple of changes pre-game.. unfortunately we still have players like Jones and Welbeck stinking out the squad. Good thing is we have some good players inured and some great ones coming through.

Kane was 100% injured tonight. But that’s a problem with the squad, as we don’t have anyone to replace him.

Posted by: Evil Houdini Jul 11 2018, 09:00 PM

Hopefully France go on to win now. And I think that they would have done so regardless of who won tonight.


England should be proud of what they've achieved at this World Cup even if they took a shortcut to get there.

Posted by: Mart!n Jul 11 2018, 09:06 PM

We should have really finished them off in the first half, we just missed 2 golden opportunities. Can I blame Sterling for that, I do find Sterling rather useless on the pitch.

Posted by: Brett-Butler Jul 11 2018, 09:08 PM

Who was the one who said something rather enlightening about stopped clocks?


Oh well, bang goes the extra bank holiday. Still, I'm still on for Croatia in my work sweepstake, so if they win, I'm pledging to spent all £70 on Battenberg cake.

Posted by: Queef of Skreech Jul 11 2018, 09:22 PM

No it wasn't me, someone else said it!

Posted by: Rooney Jul 11 2018, 09:25 PM

It was nothing to do with Sterling. Kane was atrocious in that first half and Lingard missed the target from a great chance. The problem is if you don't take your chances at this level you will struggle. Our problem in the match was our wingbacks became fullbacks and it hampered us massively. That's ultimately where the game was lost.

Posted by: Seinfeld Jul 11 2018, 10:03 PM

I'm gutted tbh. I don't think we'll ever have a better chance of reaching a World Cup final ever again.

Posted by: Crazy Chris Jul 11 2018, 10:11 PM

I think France will be far too strong for them.

Posted by: Severin Jul 11 2018, 10:31 PM

For all those too young to remember, I say welcome to the true reality of being an England fan - it's not about the abject failure of the last 20 years - it's about glorious failure.

Posted by: UltraReputation Jul 11 2018, 10:35 PM

WAH AIMS SODN 8!m in street on florid cursing done with this coaisjnrhs. ahhh WAH

Posted by: Steve201 Jul 11 2018, 10:47 PM

They were unlucky there England I actually couldn't believe Croatia won as I just didn't think Croatia had enough upfront. But Modric, Brizovic, Ratikic and especillay Perisic were immense. I doubt again it will happen but I would dearly love is to have a new winner on Sunday and Croatia beat France

Deschamps has created an effective but bloody boring side in the image of himself - so many amazing players who's technical abilities are a lot of the time put in a box for the importance of the team.

Posted by: Dobbo Jul 11 2018, 10:49 PM

So gutted

Posted by: Queef of Skreech Jul 11 2018, 10:57 PM

Rugby worldcup soon!

That's a big thing ... right??

Posted by: Steve201 Jul 11 2018, 11:01 PM

Nope!

Posted by: Severin Jul 11 2018, 11:17 PM

No one gives a rats arse

Posted by: Rooney Jul 11 2018, 11:19 PM

The World Cup is the one tournament that gets everyone going!

That first half we should have buried them, Henderson totally nullified Modric. Kane needed to square the ball.. if that was Sterling in that position he would have been slaughtered. Unpopular opinion but the subs we brought on really didn't help us either, but proves there is a way to go with the squad. Interesting to think Gomez, Lallana, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Winks could all have made the squad if it weren't for injuries. Then you have the likes of Lookman, Sancho, Bailey (potentially), Foden, Solanke coming through.

Posted by: Steve201 Jul 12 2018, 12:57 AM

England won a couple of under age tournaments recently so there's plenty of optimism for the future!

Anyone else seen Mandzukic play live before?

Posted by: Red Blooded Man Jul 12 2018, 01:59 AM

I didn't watch the match (midnight in Hong Kong...) but did England just retreat to defense after they took an early lead or were they consistent on being aggressive?

Posted by: Doctor Blind Jul 12 2018, 04:07 AM

Yeah, saw this coming - from the moment we got that early goal and kept missing quite good chances in the first half I just felt the final slipping away. Ultimately we were punished for not taking those chances by a strong Croatian side who were able to exploit our weaknesses. Had Kane passed to Sterling in the 29th minute we'd probably be in a World Cup final now! Easy to blame Sterling but Kane was definitely at fault there and some of Lingard's crosses were poor.

Still the team have done something that no England team have for 28 years, and actually have so much to be proud of - hopefully they give Belgium a good game this time on Saturday...

Oh and I hope that Croatia can take France down, I think France would have completely ripped us apart had we made the final anyway!


Also: #CurseofITV.

Posted by: Mack. Jul 12 2018, 08:06 AM

The last time there was a Rugby World Cup on here. They were 53 posts and half of them were from me!

Posted by: Mack. Jul 12 2018, 10:04 PM

Luka Modric after the match:

Posted by: Doctor Blind Jul 12 2018, 10:12 PM

I disagree, I think all the coverage I saw suggested that Croatia would be tougher opponents than Sweden - correctly.

Yes, the British print media overhyped it - but they always do. Nobody takes any notice (nor buys papers anymore, except the over 50s. )

Posted by: Dobbo Jul 12 2018, 10:18 PM

To be fair, I'd feel the same if I were him! Yes, we didn't exactly write them off per sé but it definitely felt like some media establishments were indicating we'd already "earned the right" to the final, which itself was understandable given the euphoria surrounding our World Cup run.

That said, of all the chants in the bar I was in last night, "you can stick your Luka Modric up your ass" was my personal highlight.

Posted by: Y!kes Jul 12 2018, 11:14 PM

It was pretty deflating to go out the way we did, especially after how well we performed against Sweden, but a month ago, if you'd have told me England would be reaching a World Cup semi final for the first time in almost 30 years, i'd have laughed you out of the pub.

And on the plus side, we have a fairly young squad of players to take into Euro 2020 (albeit players who will need to deal with heightened expectations having achieved what they've achieved this World Cup), it's something to build on.