World Cup: SF: Croatia vs. England, 7/11/2018

[Evilo]

I just hope every French defender scored at least once in their lifetime. I remember one 20 years ago that didn't and gave us a few problems....

3 of them have scored in the WC already.

 

[kovacro]

Holy f***!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beer beer beer beer!!!!!!

 

[Evilo]

What a game. MASSIVE respect to Croatia. This is why international football will always be better than club football.

So, so true.

I know most here like club football, but indeed, nothing comes close to NT football.

 

[cgf]

At the start I was cheering for England but as the game progressed I found myself cheering for Croatia.

They're more talented and play the more attractive brand of football. I'd imagine most neutrals enjoyed them more than England...they've certainly won me over since Jogi knocked us out in the group stages.

 

[David Suzuki]

Harry Kane in the first half had a very, very easy 2-0 on his feet while Croatia were asleep.

Spurs mentality.

 

[hatterson]

Lukaku could score a bunch.

I suppose that's true. The third place game could be interesting.

 

[Live in the Now]

So, so true.

I know most here like club football, but indeed, nothing comes close to NT football.

Club football is better quality, but NT football just feels more important and has far more tension.

 

[Alklha]

Watching England try to score by kicking off while Croatia were celebrating is just the icing on the result.

 

[bluesfan94]

I suppose that's true. The third place game could be interesting.

Depending on how either team is feeling, Lukaku getting two wouldn't be that shocking

 

[cgf]

For as much as England and everyone was going on about Croatia being tired... England seemed to tire first in this game.

They expended an insane amount of energy in the firt half, trying to ride their freshness to a commanding lead that they could then hold onto...maybe if Kane had scored that 2-0 that he had on his foot it would've even worked. But I'm not surprised they gassed first, despite Croatia's extra time adventures in the previous rounds.

 

[W75]

I am actually in Croatia now, even though in a small town people going nuts in their knockoff kits

Saw Denmark game in Croatia too. Flares and fireworks, car horns honkin, motorcycles burning rubber, people shouting and singing..

 

[TheMoreYouKnow]

So, so true.

I know most here like club football, but indeed, nothing comes close to NT football.

The club I'm a fan of is in the 4th division, so I would say that the national team has always had priority for me. I think if you look at the hardcore of national team support across the big nations, you'll find that fans of smaller clubs are way over-represented.

Man U, Liverpool, Arsenal etc. fans in England will now just slip off the England shirt they bought last week and go back arguing about transfer rumors.

 

[Lilou]

Wow. This is the outcome I wanted. The english press got too cocky after winning their easy group. Better luck next time.

 

[hatterson]

Croatia only played 30 more minutes than England this tournament, so it's not like there was a massive difference.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Gotta love Mandzukic (who I generally don't rate and I was surprised when they pulled Rebic for Kramaric and not Mando) hitting them with the good ol' off the floor and on the board

 

[Ceremony]

 

[cgf]

He's mega overrated. Only goal in the knockout stages was a penalty and the rest were against Panama and Tunisia.

He is a great poacher but some of the talk related to him has been completely ludicrous. He is also entirely dependent on the balls that are given to him and does not create his own chances. This is the only time I have seen someone win the golden boot and yet I would have them nowhere near team of the tournament.

I wish I remembered the italian(?) bench player who won the golden boot on the back of a 5 goal game in the final match of the group stages...

 

[N o o d l e s]

Worse game: England-Belgium Rd. 1 or England-Belgium Rd. 2?

 

[NyQuil]

I'd like to dedicate the win to the ESPN experts who said they'd pick the entire English defense over the entire Croatian defense, even over Vrsaljko.

Lovren and Vida were immense. And hopefully Lovren gets some respect from the English pundits now.

Lovren should have been carded multiple times.

 

[maxim84]

3 of them have scored in the WC already.

Good... That means no Lillian Thuram types in your squad ;-)

 

[cgf]

Croatia is the reincarnation of 1990 Argentina/2016 Portugal- heavy reliance on extra time and penalties.

Sounds like the fútbol equivalent of the 1993 Montreal Canadiens and all their overtimes

Results wise, but their football is nothing alike

 

[c9777666]

For the CROATIA IS GOING TO TIRE OUT CROWD....

we thought the 2014 LA Kings might tire in the Cup Final against a red/white/blue team after playing 3 seven game series.

 

[Evilo]

Don't think anyone scored 5 goals except Salenko and he's definitely not italian.

 

[c9777666]

Results wise, but their football is nothing alike

Oh, I know, but we usually don’t see teams play beyond 90/120 minutes this frequently in the WC.

 

[Live in the Now]

I cashed in quite nicely today. Also lobbed in a 20 when Croatia was 33/1 to win this. Granted I don't expect them to win, but still. It will make up for the other "to win" bets and then some if they do.

Croatia only played 30 more minutes than England this tournament, so it's not like there was a massive difference.

I think people also overexaggerated with that. Some of the players who suffered worst in the previous two games didn't suffer at all today.