World Cup: QF: Russia vs. Croatia, 7/7/2018

[Live in the Now]

One of Croatia, Russia, Colombia, Sweden, Switzerland, or England will be in a World Cup Final.

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[Paulie Gualtieri]

One of Croatia, Russia, Colombia, Sweden, Switzerland, or England will be in a World Cup Final.

Oh how I'd love to see how Zlatan would react if Sweden made it far.

 

[Suiteness]

This was a PK away from being Denmark-Russia. In the 1/4 finals. Of a World Cup.

 

[Live in the Now]

It's inevitable to have a new finalist, not surprised it's going to be this year. Some other countries have caught up, some of it is luck of the draw..

 

[maclean]

It's inevitable to have a new finalist, not surprised it's going to be this year. Some other countries have caught up, some of it is luck of the draw..

I still find it amazing whenever I look at the list of who's won the World Cup how small the list is

 

[Ivan13]

Will be tough, while challanged skill wise, the Ruskies more then make up for it with being an organized side. Would be interesting to see how they look if they are forced to be offensively inclined.

 

[Pouchkine]

Russia will take this one convincingly. People forget Russia made the 1/2 in 2008, Croatia 1998, it's not like they never had great results before, and the USSR was one of the best National Team for a long time.

 

[Ivan13]

2008, 1998 and SSSR are so relevant.

 

[Kap-the-Head]

Heart says Russia, mind is saying Croatia...

 

[Justinov]

Oh how I'd love to see how Zlatan would react if Sweden made it far.

Well the fact is that Sweden play far better without him, than with him.

 

[robertmac43]

Kind of wanting to see Russia come away with the tournament victory at this point....The scenes would be wild!

 

[Moncherry]

I wouldn't doubt Russia advancing again.

Russia will take this one convincingly. People forget Russia made the 1/2 in 2008, Croatia 1998, it's not like they never had great results before, and the USSR was one of the best National Team for a long time.

Always love when people refer to teams as though they were a composite of their entire history.

 

[Chandrashekhar Limit]

One of Croatia, Russia, Colombia, Sweden, Switzerland, or England will be in a World Cup Final.

Love it. Hope France / Brazil gets booted in the other bracket.

 

[MaxV]

It’ll be interesting to see the lineup Cherchesov deploys for this one.

I doubt that it’ll be the ultra defensive one he had vs Spain. I think you have to play Cheryshev from the beginning.

 

[Blender]

Should be Croatia, but we'll see.

 

[KrejciMVP]

expecting a chippy game, lots of flags, cheering and booing

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Well the fact is that Sweden play far better without him, than with him.

I wouldn't be too convinced of that, considering that our best striker is Berg. Think it mostly has to do with us having a better manager.

 

[Firsov99]

Looks like Zhirkov is possibly out of the tournament with an achilles tendon injury. Not good news for team Russia.

 

[kovacro]

Strinic was subbed out but I think that was due to leg cramp.

Perisic was also removed. Hoping that was just for the same reason.

Kovacic might have a shoulder issue. He toughed it out in extra time. Keep an eye on his status for the QF.

Important thing was Croatia picked up no yellow cards today with th a host of players carrying one already.

 

[MaxV]

Russia was really lucky that Golovin didn’t pick up a yellow vs Spain. He had a number of fouls and already has one in the tournament.

 

[N o o d l e s]

If there is a midfield in this tournament that could afford to lose a player of Kovacic's stature and buzz along it is Croatia. They can't play like they did against Denmark or they're going out. That said, I don't expect them to. Hopefully this was the scare they needed. Although taking out Russia at this point, surprisingly, is no easy task. Yet I expect Croatia in the final.

 

[lud]

Croatia.
It can't be worse than with Denmark

 

[ViD]

Zobnin is missing this one due to yellow cards. Bad for Russia

 

[Halladay]

Russia was really lucky that Golovin didn’t pick up a yellow vs Spain. He had a number of fouls and already has one in the tournament.

I thought that last call on him he was going to get one.

 

[MaxV]

Zobnin is missing this one due to yellow cards. Bad for Russia

When did he get his first?

This is a HUGE loss. Zobnin has been Russia’s best defensive presence and a catalyst behind many counters.

I will argue that he has been Russia’s best all-around player.