WC 2018 | Semi-Finals | England vs Croatia

England are playing their first World Cup semi-final since 1990, having exceeded all expectations.

Croatia are in their first semi-final since France 98 and have lived up their promise as the best team on this side of the draw.

England are powered by the sheer inertia of the "it's coming home" movement.

Croatia's golden generation have one last chance to reach a final.

Who's going to win?

GoalLegacy will win

I don't think England can compete with this Croatia tbh

Croatia

Haven't been particularly impressed with Croatia tbh, i imagine they feel the same way about us but still.

I wonder what's Vrsjalcko's (or whatever the right-back's name is) injury situation, didn't look like they had another proper RB since they put the CB Vida in his position. Looks like Subatic just had a cramp or something in his thigh? Hopefully he can play.









But obviously it's on its way home.

With how Croatia played against Russia. We have nothing to fear tbh.

But seriously, it will be our most challenging match so far. We are definitely not seeing the ball for a long period of time but Croatia defence isn't the best so we will get chances. But we can't afford to miss as we did today.

Croatia also looks a bit weak on set pieces.

That Hendenson vs Modric matchup again

RealGunner wrote:With how Croatia played against Russia. We have nothing to fear tbh.

But seriously, it will be our most challenging match so far. We are definitely not seeing the ball for a long period of time but Croatia defence isn't the best so we will get chances. But we can't afford to miss as we did today.

Croatia also looks a bit weak on set pieces.

They look like a team who has two great players and the rest are average, we might lose because Modric and Rakitic would walk into our team but i don't see why we can't win tbh.

Of course people will call me arrogant and delusional for having that opinion.

Mandzukic got this

Thing is, I don't think we've seen Croatia's best since their 3-0 win over Argentina.

Denmark and Russia both played deep and denied them space. England won't do that. We play two attacking 8s with a lone pivot and will give a lot more space in midfield for Modric and Rakitic to use.

I don't think their attack is that good - at least nothing that should overly worry our defence. And I can see us giving their backline trouble.

It's just Modric and Rakitic terrify me with our midfield being as it is.

We should be the fitter team, at least. Two extra-times and shootouts will have taken a lot out of Croatia, though their belief will be sky-high.

RealGunner wrote:With how Croatia played against Russia. We have nothing to fear tbh.

But seriously, it will be our most challenging match so far. We are definitely not seeing the ball for a long period of time but Croatia defence isn't the best so we will get chances. But we can't afford to miss as we did today.

Croatia also looks a bit weak on set pieces.

This is also Croatia's most challenging game so far tbh

Could go either way for me. You could say this is a much more even semi final than France's one where they start a favourites ofcourse.

Croatia doesn't do well against PTB teams... and really great when the play is relatively open.  It's how they've looked since forever and same in this WC.  I think England have something to fear in this one.  Croatia is really very good and clever when given some space.  

That said, they are older.  Will they have enough time to recover from the QF clash?  We'll see.

This is the first proper team England has faced in an elimination type game...  as the Belgium match was a throw away for both teams.

It's also the first proper test Croatia has faced tbh, let's be honest.

It should be quite easy for Croatia tbh.
Their midfield is superior while England's defense will just be too easy for Mandzukic & Rebic. Pjaca should start instead of Perisic who seems on bad form.

The only thing that could add a little hope to England is that Croatia wasted a lot of energies vs. Russia and they suffered some injuries (Subasic, Vrsajlko etc)

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:It's also the first proper test Croatia has faced tbh, let's be honest.

Nigeria, Iceland, Argentina... that was a tough group to win.  They faced PTB sides in the elimination rounds, true.  But they earned it after winning that group.

juvealbanian wrote:It should be quite easy for Croatia tbh.
Their midfield is superior while England's defense will just be too easy for Mandzukic & Rebic. Pjaca should start instead of Perisic who seems on bad form.

The only thing that could add a little hope to England is that Croatia wasted a lot of energies vs. Russia and they suffered some injuries (Subasic, Vrsajlko etc)

Wouldn't say it'll be quite easy lmao, you're overrating Croatia. Let's not forget they got to the semis because of two penalty shootouts against average teams. Reeks of Portugal's Euro run.

Having said that England are pretty bad as well so I'd say it's 50/50

Get out we need stop overrating the likes of Argentina etc etc.

Besides groups are irrelevant tbh, they've played Russia and Denmark ( sorry Freeza) and we've played Colombia and Sweden.

I really don't see the difference, they made more of a meal of their ties that's all.

Argentina are not even a team. Its easily the worst Argentina ive ever seen. England would comfortably beat them if they faced them right about now IMO

Cruijf wrote:

juvealbanian wrote:It should be quite easy for Croatia tbh.
Their midfield is superior while England's defense will just be too easy for Mandzukic & Rebic. Pjaca should start instead of Perisic who seems on bad form.

The only thing that could add a little hope to England is that Croatia wasted a lot of energies vs. Russia and they suffered some injuries (Subasic, Vrsajlko etc)

Wouldn't say it'll be quite easy lmao, you're overrating Croatia. Let's not forget they got to the semis because of two penalty shootouts against average teams. Reeks of Portugal's Euro run.

Having said that England are pretty bad as well so I'd say it's 50/50

Croatia have more quality and idk how that's not obvious.
I said if Croatia wasn't unlucky with injuries and playing extra-times they would be favorites for sure and yes it would have been easy for them.
I don't wanna go into details but pretty much a much better midfield and having dangerous attackers like Mandzo plus Rebic is doing good I think that's enough.

But since they did waste energy and suffered some injuries who might be decisive I would say it's 65% - 35% to Croatia right now.

Englad though must rely on counters. Their speed can prove to be deadly against a tired side.
There's no other way I can see England controlling the game and getting a result.They will also heavliy depend on Kane again.

I don't see how any team can claim to win this easily, this will be a very even matched.

I have to say I'll be rooting for my Balkan bro's though.

People tend to overrate the teams we face in this tournament so i'm not surprised really.

You would think Colombia were Brazil 1982 the way people were going on before we played them and now it was an easy game (:

Like i said i wouldn't be surprised if they beat us but once again they are being overrated because of the idea of Modric on paper, when their performances haven't come close to actually showing why they are worthy of what people think they are.

Congrats to England for making it to the finals

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:People tend to overrate the teams we face in this tournament so i'm not surprised really.

You would think Colombia were Brazil 1982 the way people were going on before we played them and now it was an easy game (:

Like i said i wouldn't be surprised if they beat us but once again they are being overrated because of the idea of Modric on paper, when their performances haven't come close to actually showing why they are worthy of what people think they are.

Don't forget they had atleast 2 clear chances that could have even closed the match against Russia today without going into ET.
And probably Russia was doped like hell. I saw their veterans run like it was totally ok after their second 120' in the tournament.

The Colombia game went exactly as I predicted though. Without James, England had the edge and you did edge them in the end. I still rate Colombia as a good team. It was the first big (mental) hurdle for England to cross and they managed it in the end hence why I think they've gotten this far and may possibly make the final.