FIFA WORLD CUP 2018?

[Sithara007]

It is very sad to see the host nation Russia bow out of the tournament. They have played and fought very well, especially knocking out Spain. Penalties can be cruel, but what the hell was Smolov trying to do with a Paneka in such a crucial time of a tournament? Congrats to Croatia though - playing extra time twice in a row could have its toll against them when they face England.

As the extra time was over, I though that it was advantage Russia because the Croatian keeper was injured. But Smolov and Fernandes wasted their kicks and the Croats remained cool throughout the shoot-out.

[Wendigo]

I don't know what's up with Croatia but after that flashy thrashing of Argentina they are playing with great difficulties vs mediocre teams and now they have played 240 minutes plus penalties in the knockout stage. I think the Croatians will be tired for the semi-final. England have the perfect chance to play at the final after such a long absence.

[InvoKing]

I don't know what's up with Croatia but after that flashy thrashing of Argentina they are playing with great difficulties vs mediocre teams and now they have played 240 minutes plus penalties in the knockout stage. I think the Croatians will be tired for the semi-final. England have the perfect chance to play at the final after such a long absence.

Well Russia showed a great performance comparing to its "ordinary" players and they deserved to stay but unfortunately penalty kick has spoken.
England gonna win vs Croatie 70%-30% but the best game will be France vs Belgium, France has a little bit better chance 55%-45% but Belgium could make a good surprise, prefer to see Belgium vs England in the final game.

[Sutters Mill]

I don't know what's up with Croatia but after that flashy thrashing of Argentina they are playing with great difficulties vs mediocre teams and now they have played 240 minutes plus penalties in the knockout stage. I think the Croatians will be tired for the semi-final. England have the perfect chance to play at the final after such a long absence.

I don't think an extra hour of football will take them days to recover from. I'm sure they'll be fine to face England, though I agree they've played very average the last couple of games especially after showing such promise. I think England could beat them quite easily if they're on form, but I see the game ultimately being very close. Could go down to extra time and penalties again. Might be worth a bet on at least.

[slaman29]

I don't know what's up with Croatia but after that flashy thrashing of Argentina they are playing with great difficulties vs mediocre teams and now they have played 240 minutes plus penalties in the knockout stage. I think the Croatians will be tired for the semi-final. England have the perfect chance to play at the final after such a long absence.

Well Russia showed a great performance comparing to its "ordinary" players and they deserved to stay but unfortunately penalty kick has spoken.
England gonna win vs Croatie 70%-30% but the best game will be France vs Belgium, France has a little bit better chance 55%-45% but Belgium could make a good surprise, prefer to see Belgium vs England in the final game.

I will be honest and say I don't know much about the Croatian team, except maybe Luka Modric because he used to play fantastic games for Tottenham Hotspurs but judging from what I've seen, they actually didn't play so badly. Russia was a crazy phenomenon, a lot of old players and very athletic, but we have to be fair and say that this World Cup, a lot of teams really performed, for me it is down to the teams that played a lot together and stayed together for a long time, like Russia.

I don't think you can say they'll be too tired for the semis. They ran a lot but not that much more than other teams. They have 3 days to recover almost, which is okay. Remember this was only a 5 games before this, for a 3 weeks period, so that's not too bad.

I will like to see Belgium in the final, if they win, they really deserve it. They played every game with big hearts and scored every game. This is football we want to see.

[Sutters Mill]

I will be honest and say I don't know much about the Croatian team, except maybe Luka Modric because he used to play fantastic games for Tottenham Hotspurs but judging from what I've seen, they actually didn't play so badly. Russia was a crazy phenomenon, a lot of old players and very athletic, but we have to be fair and say that this World Cup, a lot of teams really performed, for me it is down to the teams that played a lot together and stayed together for a long time, like Russia.

I don't think you can say they'll be too tired for the semis. They ran a lot but not that much more than other teams. They have 3 days to recover almost, which is okay. Remember this was only a 5 games before this, for a 3 weeks period, so that's not too bad.

I will like to see Belgium in the final, if they win, they really deserve it. They played every game with big hearts and scored every game. This is football we want to see.

Don't underestimate the rest of their team. Don't forget about Liverpool's Dejan Lovren, Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic, and Juventus' Mario Mandzukic. Croatia are no pushover, but they've certainly got a squad that doesn't get the credit they deserve and I think people have underestimated them. I don't think they will win the tournament as I don't think they will be any match for either France or Belgium but I wouldn't write the underdogs off either. All that stands in their way is England who aren't a truly great team lets be honest. I think it will be a close game but whoever wins will have themselves a place in the final that for sure.

[glowing10]

I don't know what's up with Croatia but after that flashy thrashing of Argentina they are playing with great difficulties vs mediocre teams and now they have played 240 minutes plus penalties in the knockout stage. I think the Croatians will be tired for the semi-final. England have the perfect chance to play at the final after such a long absence.

As expected from the start of the world cup the good teams are out. This time things that where going to happen was unexpected and it is happening that way only. We may have this time altogether a new winner itself and it may just be unpredictable and people will lose lot of money if they bet.

[Pab]

Croatia always had many very good players
even current Bayern coach Nico Kovac was very good player
They have super midfielders Manjukic is like good wine older better
they have received many yellow cards it can be problem for them but they have players on the bench
Only two three  players are hard to replace Subasic Modric and Mandzukic

But big respect to Russia and his coach

[Lucius]

Don't underestimate the rest of their team. Don't forget about Liverpool's Dejan Lovren, Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic, and Juventus' Mario Mandzukic. Croatia are no pushover, but they've certainly got a squad that doesn't get the credit they deserve and I think people have underestimated them. I don't think they will win the tournament as I don't think they will be any match for either France or Belgium but I wouldn't write the underdogs off either. All that stands in their way is England who aren't a truly great team lets be honest. I think it will be a close game but whoever wins will have themselves a place in the final that for sure.

We can say that Croatia was very lucky in last two games, but they did not play nor close to how they can play. Which is the reason for such poor performances we can only speculate, but England will be a real test for them. It is possible that the match Croatia-England be very different from what Croatia show in last 2 games, they need to start play much better to reach the finals.

No doubt they have great players from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, Liverpool and some others big football clubs, but England is a much better team then Denmark or Russia. I am sure it will be one more interesting match, maybe again with extra time and a lottery of penalties kicks.

[Sutters Mill]

I don't know what's up with Croatia but after that flashy thrashing of Argentina they are playing with great difficulties vs mediocre teams and now they have played 240 minutes plus penalties in the knockout stage. I think the Croatians will be tired for the semi-final. England have the perfect chance to play at the final after such a long absence.

As expected from the start of the world cup the good teams are out. This time things that where going to happen was unexpected and it is happening that way only. We may have this time altogether a new winner itself and it may just be unpredictable and people will lose lot of money if they bet.

You expected from the start that the good teams would be out? *Source needed*. You then seem to contradict yourself and say unexpected things are happening. Which one is it? The expected or Unexpected  

Don't underestimate the rest of their team. Don't forget about Liverpool's Dejan Lovren, Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic, and Juventus' Mario Mandzukic. Croatia are no pushover, but they've certainly got a squad that doesn't get the credit they deserve and I think people have underestimated them. I don't think they will win the tournament as I don't think they will be any match for either France or Belgium but I wouldn't write the underdogs off either. All that stands in their way is England who aren't a truly great team lets be honest. I think it will be a close game but whoever wins will have themselves a place in the final that for sure.

We can say that Croatia was very lucky in last two games, but they did not play nor close to how they can play. Which is the reason for such poor performances we can only speculate, but England will be a real test for them. It is possible that the match Croatia-England be very different from what Croatia show in last 2 games, they need to start play much better to reach the finals.

No doubt they have great players from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, Liverpool and some others big football clubs, but England is a much better team then Denmark or Russia. I am sure it will be one more interesting match, maybe again with extra time and a lottery of penalties kicks.

I think it's the other way around and Croatia will be a real test for England. England played very poorly against Columbia and were lucky to scrap through. If Rodriguez was playing I think they would have lost. People are giving too much credit to England I think and they've had a very easy drive to where they are now and even in the semis they have the easiest route to the final. The real test for them will be either France or Belgium as to how great they truly are but they've got to get past Croatia first who I doubt will be a pushover.

[Globb0]

Shame Russia were rubbish in the penalties, I was rooting for them to win.

[tomahawk9]

I don't know what's up with Croatia but after that flashy thrashing of Argentina they are playing with great difficulties vs mediocre teams and now they have played 240 minutes plus penalties in the knockout stage.

Mediocre teams just play more defensively since they have less "resources" to actually go for the win, they just have a defensive gameplan and nothing more, like Russia for example (or Sweden, England had a rought time trying to get past their defence yesterday), it's just really difficult to create chances and thrash your opponent when they're in full defensive mode. Big teams have an offensive mentality, meaning that they're more likely to leave open spaces, and we saw how Croatia managed to exploit that weakness vs Argentina (though Argentina was simply a trainwreck in every single match in this WC).

[brascopck]

It is very sad to see the host nation Russia bow out of the tournament. They have played and fought very well, especially knocking out Spain. Penalties can be cruel, but what the hell was Smolov trying to do with a Paneka in such a crucial time of a tournament? Congrats to Croatia though - playing extra time twice in a row could have its toll against them when they face England.

Actually it's already a big achievement for Russian though, qualified until quarter final but eliminated before semi final but it's quiet sad though, eliminated by pinalty shootout. Croatia vs England, this will be a good match and i hope England can qualify to the final, against belgium maybe. So it will be full of premier league players lol.

[Mahmoud87]

Croatia vs England
In this match I think we going to watch many goals  and they will play extra time , England have the most player scored goals in this wc .
France vs Belgium
This two team their are the best team in this world cup , Belgium has won all the match and have the best attack .

No one can bet in this two match

[DIA7]

England have a good team and so far organized an their way to reach the semi-finals was not that difficult now  They have to fight against Croatia if they want to reach the final Croatia will not be an easy team like the ones that england faced before because Croatia defeated many teams and the country organized unfortunately they have played 240minutes in their preivious 6 days and i don't think that they will recover their energy in the next two daysEngland known for their fate by finishing 2nd And their loss to Belgium 1-0 really is not a coincidence they certainly wanted it to pass through the easy pass to the semi-finals and perhaps the tournament. Belgium to come out of the top of the group but that puted them in the most difficult position but often in the World Cup team that crosses a difficult road is the one crowned World Cup so I expect the arrival of the English to Final but they can not win over either France or Belgium especially if they have shown their great potential in the final and everything is possible in the world of football, but the four teams best everyone so far, without exception, they are the best four teams in this World Cup.

[TheDarkRide]

Croatia vs England
In this match I think we going to watch many goals  and they will play extra time , England have the most player scored goals in this wc .
France vs Belgium
This two team their are the best team in this world cup , Belgium has won all the match and have the best attack .

No one can bet in this two match

What is the meaning with 'no one can bet in this two match'? As I know we can make our bet on each game if we want. Btw, I wish the semifinal games will be more attrative and give good entertainment for us.

[Mahmoud87]

It is very sad to see the host nation Russia bow out of the tournament. They have played and fought very well, especially knocking out Spain. Penalties can be cruel, but what the hell was Smolov trying to do with a Paneka in such a crucial time of a tournament? Congrats to Croatia though - playing extra time twice in a row could have its toll against them when they face England.

Russia one of surprises in this world cup I think Russia had won against Arabia KSA 5-0 .
Russia is a good team .

[JL421]

Football is coming home....

What a thrill thesr last few matches have been. Belgium eliminating Brazil out thus eliminating another speculation made before the world cup started. Only Belgium seems to surviving.
The biggest surprise of this year has surely been Russia, no one expected them to make it so far.
The only semi final I'm looking foward to between Belgium and France, both teams have been playing tremendously well

For the other match Croatia is going to win as they have played better than England till now

[BillyBobZorton]

I made some money with bets yesterday, as I was expecting, Russia is finally out. I must admit that although I was pretty sure Russia would not get into the finals, it was a pretty even match and I was panicking a bit until the end. Luckily I maintained my bet it worked out fine.

Now it's when the big names remaining make it simply too hard for me to do any betting. Any of the remaining teams is a serious contender.

[Wendigo]

Shame Russia were rubbish in the penalties, I was rooting for them to win.

Yeah they were flawless in the penalty shootout vs Spain and I was surprised they failed vs Croatia. I thought the Russians have been practising penalty shots specifically for the knockout stage. Maybe the stress was just too much for them to handle. Anyways Russia overachieved and went farther than anyone had expected. Respect