Monzanator

Better be lucky than good. France is taking payback after the 1982/86 emotional defeats

France finally take a lesson from Germany. It's not the artistic impression that wins you matches.

Yes, they should IMO. It's the World Cup. England have looked flat without the set-pieces and Kane ineffective. Sterling must be the most overrated player in the starting line-up. Both he and Alli have contributed literally nothing. Biggest winners are Maguire, Trippier and Pickford. Phil Jones looked like a block of wood out there. Given they've only beaten Panama, Tunisia and Sweden, I think this result will be overhyped going forward. Belgium was a class above them even with Martinez as a coach.

It wasn't. The England defender lowered his head at waist level while trying to make a clearance. Not a foul IMO.

[hide] Knockout Round June 30th - July 15th, 2018 16 Nations, Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Third Place Match and Final Third Place Match Date & Time Nation 1 T1 T2 Nation 2 July 14th 2018, h. 17:00 (GMT+3) Belgium 2 1 England Final Date & Time Nation 1 T1 T2 Nation 2 July 15th 2018, h. 18:00 (GMT+3) France 2 0 Croatia [/hide]

I'm sorry but Martinez can't wait until 90th minute to bring on the second striker! That was bad in-game coaching. Throw in two subs at the hour mark and roll on from there!

Hmm.. Belgium didn't get your memo! They're pushing hard...

CRO/ENG will have one day less to recover plus they've played extra-time already. Physically either Belgium or France would be superior in the final IMO. Though all 4 teams have rested their starters in Week 3.

Outside of 1986 all non-UEFA based World Cup finals were given to UEFA refs though. I mean you can see the pattern when you ditch the sample and look at the big picture.

I just don't see an European referee in the final here. The last two Wc finals were given to UEFA refs already and now we have nothing but UEFA teams in the semis and the tournament itself is held in Europe. Just too much Europe involved. Btw, the last time an UEFA referee was given the WC final on European soil was 1974. Faghani seems like the safest bet for the final. It would have probably been Irmatov before but he had a disappointing performance in the group stage and was send home early.

[hide] Knockout Round June 30th - July 15th, 2018 16 Nations, Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Third Place Match and Final Semifinals Date & Time Nation 1 T1 T2 Nation 2 July 10th 2018, h. 21:00 (GMT+3) France 2 3 Belgium July 11th 2018, h. 21:00 (GMT+3) Croatia 1 1 England [/hide]

If Sterling keeps missing sitters like he did all tournament, Croatia does have a chance. Thankfully none of the Croatians will be suspended.

Now let's see if Russian can do anything on offense. I suspect not.

Perisic did everything right. There were six Russians behind the ball including the keeper.

Russia barely hanging in there. I think penalties are their only hope again. Maybe a fluke set-piece.

It doesn't matter as long as their offense is clicking. Tunisia also scored twice vs this Belgium defense and it's completely irrelevant now. De Bruyne waking up is the best news for Belgium.

[hide] Knockout Round June 30th - July 15th, 2018 16 Nations, Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Third Place Match and Final Quarterfinals Date & Time Nation 1 T1 T2 Nation 2 July 6th 2018, h. 17:00 (GMT+3) Uruguay 1 2 France July 6th 2018, h. 21:00 (GMT+3) Brazil 3 2 Belgium July 7th 2018, h. 18:00 (GMT+4) Sweden 1 0 England July 7th 2018, h. 21:00 (GMT+3) Russia 0 2 Croatia [/hide]

He's a Barcelona player already

It's not. Ball has heading on target so no own goal.

It's about having a TEAM, not the best 11 individuals. Brazil have often fallen because they couldn't build a team from otherwise superior players.

Firmino as Willian replacement sounds the only logical choice. Neymar/Coutinho are untouchable. Polish commentators said that Marcelo was rested here on medical team's advice so I guess it's not that bad? It was reported as a mere back spasm?

If Brazil scored the second goal sooner, he'd have reacted quicker IMO. So, is Fernandinho replacing Casemiro for QF?

Spain made their own bed. A gazzilion passes led to absolutely nothing during 120 mins other than an own goal.

Yes, because of the KO factor.

Best game of the World Cup!