2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar - UEFA Qualifiers

[TheGreatPython]

Speaking of the Croatia squad, we know what we are talking about. because after all, we have the statistics of the Croatia squad.  but, after all for me Croatia is one of the underdog teams that is always taken into account in this world cup.
although currently without the reinforcement of Ivan Rakitic, and several other players. however, they are still able to have a pretty good result with the current squad.

I'm not saying Croatia will repeat the 2018 world cup again, but at least they are a team that always counts.

slackovic is actually right. The Croatia team of 2018 was something different. All the players were not world-class, but they played as a single unit. Ivan Perišić was so good. Modric and Rakitic were quite a good duo in the midfield. Right now Modric is old though still very good, but I don't think they will be able to reignite the 2018 magic as a whole team

Croatia was surely not good in last world cup but with the experience and new blood is also having better skills and knowledge of this game they are coming with the tag of underdog which is not bad in first round they are going to face Belgium and if they are able to handle this in better way then surely we can expect better results from them, and surely they can do like they have already done in last world cup here in this game they have to tackle Romeo Lukaku which is best of Belgium and key player for their success and this can happen for Croatia they just need to settle him, and then they could be at the top of their group and having better results in knock out stage are also possible for them without any big challenge.

[rahmad2nd]

Speaking of the Croatia squad, we know what we are talking about. because after all, we have the statistics of the Croatia squad.  but, after all for me Croatia is one of the underdog teams that is always taken into account in this world cup.
although currently without the reinforcement of Ivan Rakitic, and several other players. however, they are still able to have a pretty good result with the current squad.

I'm not saying Croatia will repeat the 2018 world cup again, but at least they are a team that always counts.

slackovic is actually right. The Croatia team of 2018 was something different. All the players were not world-class, but they played as a single unit. Ivan Perišić was so good. Modric and Rakitic were quite a good duo in the midfield. Right now Modric is old though still very good, but I don't think they will be able to reignite the 2018 magic as a whole team

I am very happy with what we are discussing here. although, Croatia is one of the national teams of your country.

However, that doesn't mean we can't see or judge from our perspective. and, actually I'm not saying the Croatian squad will repeat, like in the 2018 world cup, because after all, there are teams from other countries that have more depth of players who are more favorites in this championship. however, based on the data and statistics that I analyzed from the Croatia match results.
they played pretty well and were solid too, as was teamwork. in the League of Nations, we saw quite impressive results. Croatia was able to beat Francis, although by a narrow score. Luca Modric was influential on their performances, at least as team captain, he was able to bring his team-mates to play as a unit.

actually, I just want to review in a balanced way the teams that will compete in this championship. including one of our favorite squad, namely Argentina.

[Lucius]

Croatia was surely not good in last world cup...

If playing in the final is not good enough, then I don't know what would be considered a good result according to you? I think that many people underestimated Croatia then, and they also underestimate it today, regardless of the fact that they made it to the Final Four of the League of Nations, which is a kind of European Championship.

in first round they are going to face Belgium and if they are able to handle this in better way then surely we can expect better results from them...

You are writing complete nonsense because you didn't check the schedule, Croatia is playing Belgium only the third game in the group. For both teams, this game will not have too much importance if they achieve victories over Morocco and Canada.

[samuraijin]

I don't care how bad Ronaldo may look right now, I do not care how bad Portugal team as a whole looks bad, it is just a personal desire and I am sure that it is a personal desire for many people in the world.

I can see plenty of different possibilities for the final, but I am 100% guarantee certain that Portugal versus Argentina final would be the most watched world cup final ever in the world, no other world cup final, nor any other sports game ever would be watched as much as that one. It would be watched by hundreds of millions of people, maybe even more than a billion people which would be insane. It is just something we all want to see even though it is unrealistic.

If that happens then there is gambling mafia interference in the Portugal vs Argentina meeting, because we know that there are players like CR7 and Messi, Maybe this will be their last match at the world cup title in Qatar, but it will be everyone's debate,  Of course it will have a bad thought towards the meeting of the two countries in the Final, because we know that there are many countries that in fact exceed the advantages of the two countries, such as, Germany, France, Brazil, Belgium, England, this country has great players,  Even France, which becomes the defending champion, will certainly be the most superior team from all the countries participating in this world cup title.

[slackovic]

I am very happy with what we are discussing here. although, Croatia is one of the national teams of your country.

However, that doesn't mean we can't see or judge from our perspective. and, actually I'm not saying the Croatian squad will repeat, like in the 2018 world cup, because after all, there are teams from other countries that have more depth of players who are more favorites in this championship. however, based on the data and statistics that I analyzed from the Croatia match results.
they played pretty well and were solid too, as was teamwork. in the League of Nations, we saw quite impressive results. Croatia was able to beat Francis, although by a narrow score. Luca Modric was influential on their performances, at least as team captain, he was able to bring his team-mates to play as a unit.

actually, I just want to review in a balanced way the teams that will compete in this championship. including one of our favorite squad, namely Argentina.

Believe it or not, that win against France in the League of Nations was Croatia's first and only win against them. I don't know what it is but we always have problems against France, not only in football.

Croatia was surely not good in last world cup...

If playing in the final is not good enough, then I don't know what would be considered a good result according to you? I think that many people underestimated Croatia then, and they also underestimate it today, regardless of the fact that they made it to the Final Four of the League of Nations, which is a kind of European Championship.

/snip

Yeah, I was wondering what he's saying when the Telegram bot notified me about that reply, just didn't have the time to check the forum and reply. Maybe TheGreatPython was referring to the result in the Euro 2021 when Spain defeated Croatia 5-3 after extra time. But I wouldn't count that as "not good" performance because it is Spain.

[Daniel91]

Speaking of the Croatia squad, we know what we are talking about. because after all, we have the statistics of the Croatia squad.  but, after all for me Croatia is one of the underdog teams that is always taken into account in this world cup.
although currently without the reinforcement of Ivan Rakitic, and several other players. however, they are still able to have a pretty good result with the current squad.

I'm not saying Croatia will repeat the 2018 world cup again, but at least they are a team that always counts.

slackovic is actually right. The Croatia team of 2018 was something different. All the players were not world-class, but they played as a single unit. Ivan Perišić was so good. Modric and Rakitic were quite a good duo in the midfield. Right now Modric is old though still very good, but I don't think they will be able to reignite the 2018 magic as a whole team

You forgot to mention perhaps the most important striker of Croatia at that world championship, Mandjukic, who scored all the key goals for Croatia in the knockout phase of the competition 
For the success of the team, it is not important that a lot of big football stars play, but that the team is well balanced and mentally strong, and these were exactly the qualities of Croatia at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Today's Croatia is different from the one from the World Cup 2018. We have a lot of new and young, promising players like Vlašić, Majer, Guardiol etc. and they are playing well again and are ready for great results.
In this year's League of Nations, we beat both France and Denmark away from home and showed that we have the quality to repeat the success of the last world cup.

[slackovic]

You forgot to mention perhaps the most important striker of Croatia at that world championship, Mandjukic, who scored all the key goals for Croatia in the knockout phase of the competition 
For the success of the team, it is not important that a lot of big football stars play, but that the team is well balanced and mentally strong, and these were exactly the qualities of Croatia at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Today's Croatia is different from the one from the World Cup 2018. We have a lot of new and young, promising players like Vlašić, Majer, Guardiol etc. and they are playing well again and are ready for great results.
In this year's League of Nations, we beat both France and Denmark away from home and showed that we have the quality to repeat the success of the last world cup.

I think that the World Cup 2018 in Russia was the peak of that generation. We will see how this young players will play this year but a lot of them have many more years to play. Croatia probably won't repeat that result from four years ago bur I'm sure they will do good. We saw that in the League of Nations. The biggest question is who will be Modrić's successor to become the captain and lead the team after Qatar.

[Daniel91]

You forgot to mention perhaps the most important striker of Croatia at that world championship, Mandjukic, who scored all the key goals for Croatia in the knockout phase of the competition 
For the success of the team, it is not important that a lot of big football stars play, but that the team is well balanced and mentally strong, and these were exactly the qualities of Croatia at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Today's Croatia is different from the one from the World Cup 2018. We have a lot of new and young, promising players like Vlašić, Majer, Guardiol etc. and they are playing well again and are ready for great results.
In this year's League of Nations, we beat both France and Denmark away from home and showed that we have the quality to repeat the success of the last world cup.

I think that the World Cup 2018 in Russia was the peak of that generation. We will see how this young players will play this year but a lot of them have many more years to play. Croatia probably won't repeat that result from four years ago bur I'm sure they will do good. We saw that in the League of Nations. The biggest question is who will be Modrić's successor to become the captain and lead the team after Qatar.

I agree, Croatia has a very young and talented team, and I think we can expect great results from them again at world competitions.
It is very difficult, almost impossible, to replace a player like Modric, but we have had such great players before, like Boban or Prosinecki, so after all, players came who replaced them very well, right?
Personally, I am an optimist and I believe that with a little luck, Croatia can once again achieve a great result at this world championship in Qatar. The only thing this team might be missing compared to the 2018 World Cup squad is a killer striker like Mandjukic.
Hoping the best 

[Bobrox]

I don't care how bad Ronaldo may look right now, I do not care how bad Portugal team as a whole looks bad, it is just a personal desire and I am sure that it is a personal desire for many people in the world.

I can see plenty of different possibilities for the final, but I am 100% guarantee certain that Portugal versus Argentina final would be the most watched world cup final ever in the world, no other world cup final, nor any other sports game ever would be watched as much as that one. It would be watched by hundreds of millions of people, maybe even more than a billion people which would be insane. It is just something we all want to see even though it is unrealistic.

Based on group stage between Argentina and Portugal have chance to play at final stage but depending on qualifying from 16 round until semifinal could both national team success win or not? excited if watch final match between Portugal vs Argentina because we can watch rivalry and competition between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. But I doubt this both national team will play at the final, I think between Argentina or Portugal most great achievement at quarter final and seems less opportunity both countries will play at final.

However without Argentina or Portugal play at the final I think still have other national team most excited to watch like Brazil or could be France lead final again after won last time at World Cup 2018 in Russia.

[slackovic]

You forgot to mention perhaps the most important striker of Croatia at that world championship, Mandjukic, who scored all the key goals for Croatia in the knockout phase of the competition 
For the success of the team, it is not important that a lot of big football stars play, but that the team is well balanced and mentally strong, and these were exactly the qualities of Croatia at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Today's Croatia is different from the one from the World Cup 2018. We have a lot of new and young, promising players like Vlašić, Majer, Guardiol etc. and they are playing well again and are ready for great results.
In this year's League of Nations, we beat both France and Denmark away from home and showed that we have the quality to repeat the success of the last world cup.

I think that the World Cup 2018 in Russia was the peak of that generation. We will see how this young players will play this year but a lot of them have many more years to play. Croatia probably won't repeat that result from four years ago bur I'm sure they will do good. We saw that in the League of Nations. The biggest question is who will be Modrić's successor to become the captain and lead the team after Qatar.

I agree, Croatia has a very young and talented team, and I think we can expect great results from them again at world competitions.
It is very difficult, almost impossible, to replace a player like Modric, but we have had such great players before, like Boban or Prosinecki, so after all, players came who replaced them very well, right?
Personally, I am an optimist and I believe that with a little luck, Croatia can once again achieve a great result at this world championship in Qatar. The only thing this team might be missing compared to the 2018 World Cup squad is a killer striker like Mandjukic.
Hoping the best 

I agree that Croatia can achieve great result. The only question is what would be a great result? I don't think they can repeat coming to the final but quarterfinal or semifinal would definitely be a great result!

[nullama]

~snip~
Believe it or not, that win against France in the League of Nations was Croatia's first and only win against them. I don't know what it is but we always have problems against France, not only in football.

Yeah, and to be honest, matches from the League of Nations are not at all like real matches in an official competition like the world cup.

I think Croatia will end up having a good world cup, but I don't think they'll end up lifting the trophy in the end. They would need to be so lucky so many times.

[cryptofrka]

Yeah, and to be honest, matches from the League of Nations are not at all like real matches in an official competition like the world cup.

I think Croatia will end up having a good world cup, but I don't think they'll end up lifting the trophy in the end. They would need to be so lucky so many times.

Well - nobody is expecting that, not even close. I think we're good enough to reach the QF round - and after that, it all depends on who you get and how you perform on the day.

Towards the end of the competition, we'd be outsiders in basically all the games - at least on paper. A lot would have to go our way to replicate the success from Russia - and for this team that'd be quite an overachievement.

[Lucius]

The only thing this team might be missing compared to the 2018 World Cup squad is a killer striker like Mandjukic.

We have been missing that for 4 years, and our coach has not been able to find a replacement for him - because Kramaric is overrated and plays very poorly for the national team, and Petkovic plays 1 good game out of 10. The only one who has something in his game is Livaja, but honestly, all three together do not have the quality that Mandjukic had.

Yeah, I was wondering what he's saying when the Telegram bot notified me about that reply, just didn't have the time to check the forum and reply. Maybe TheGreatPython was referring to the result in the Euro 2021 when Spain defeated Croatia 5-3 after extra time. But I wouldn't count that as "not good" performance because it is Spain.

We lost that game because of the stupidity of two players, firstly Rebica who went to change his boots in the middle of the game (Spain scores a goal), and then Gvardiol who went to drink water in the middle of the game (Spain scores a goal again). Of course, after we got back into the game, we didn't take the psychological advantage in overtime and scored a goal from the great opportunities we had.

[jaberwock]

~snip~
Believe it or not, that win against France in the League of Nations was Croatia's first and only win against them. I don't know what it is but we always have problems against France, not only in football.

Yeah, and to be honest, matches from the League of Nations are not at all like real matches in an official competition like the world cup.

I think Croatia will end up having a good world cup, but I don't think they'll end up lifting the trophy in the end. They would need to be so lucky so many times.

Right now too much talk and feud about Croatia as they were beaten in final in Russia but now things looking completely different and here most chances as many others already mentioning most chances they could be reach in last eight and after this it's all depend on day and opponent even I have feeling they can go until last four this time because now quality is already down even few players are doing good job but still main attacking striker is missing which is surely the biggest problem for the coach and progress in this event.

Few players are doing good, but they are also not good enough Modric is already old and most probably in last four years management completely fail to have quality replacements which help them for having another surprising result.

[slackovic]

Right now too much talk and feud about Croatia as they were beaten in final in Russia but now things looking completely different and here most chances as many others already mentioning most chances they could be reach in last eight and after this it's all depend on day and opponent even I have feeling they can go until last four this time because now quality is already down even few players are doing good job but still main attacking striker is missing which is surely the biggest problem for the coach and progress in this event.

Few players are doing good, but they are also not good enough Modric is already old and most probably in last four years management completely fail to have quality replacements which help them for having another surprising result.

First, please use dots and commas in your messages. It's really hard to understand what you wrote without it.

Modric may be old, but he still plays like a true leader. The question us will he have enough energy to play all matches if Croatia passes to quarters, semis or even final.

As for the replacement, you can't say that it's a management's problem because it's a national team and not a club. You can't just go and sign a better player.

[Trofo]

The only thing this team might be missing compared to the 2018 World Cup squad is a killer striker like Mandjukic.

We have been missing that for 4 years, and our coach has not been able to find a replacement for him - because Kramaric is overrated and plays very poorly for the national team, and Petkovic plays 1 good game out of 10. The only one who has something in his game is Livaja, but honestly, all three together do not have the quality that Mandjukic had.

For the most of time Mandžukić played for Croatia public opinion of him wasn't that high and we were crying for striker like Šuker, it is national team you play with what you have. I think Petković will actually do good on World Cup but I am not sure he deserves to go there. He always seemed like a player that picks his games for me and on the biggest stage like World Cup he shouldn't have problems with motivation.

We still have world class midfield, thanks to Modrić and we have better defense than we had in years. These young guys lead by Gvardiol could become one of the best defenses in the world in years to come.

[Sithara007]

First, please use dots and commas in your messages. It's really hard to understand what you wrote without it.

Modric may be old, but he still plays like a true leader. The question us will he have enough energy to play all matches if Croatia passes to quarters, semis or even final.

As for the replacement, you can't say that it's a management's problem because it's a national team and not a club. You can't just go and sign a better player.

Advancing to the knockout stage should be easy for Croatia. They may still end up as no.2 in the Group F, given Belgium is likely to top that group (I won't rule out an upset though). In the next round, they are more likely to phase the winners from Group E. This is where it gets complicated. At this stage, their opponents will be either Spain or Germany. Although these two teams are not in very good form, I would consider them as having the upper hand against Croatia. So getting past the PQF round will be quite tough for Croatia.

[slackovic]

Advancing to the knockout stage should be easy for Croatia. They may still end up as no.2 in the Group F, given Belgium is likely to top that group (I won't rule out an upset though). In the next round, they are more likely to phase the winners from Group E. This is where it gets complicated. At this stage, their opponents will be either Spain or Germany. Although these two teams are not in very good form, I would consider them as having the upper hand against Croatia. So getting past the PQF round will be quite tough for Croatia.

I agree that Croatia shouldn't have problem advancing to the knockout stage. But I don't agree that Spain or Germany would be tough for Croatia to beat and advance to the quarterfinals. They are good teams but in the League of Nations Croatia has shown that they can win against any nation.

[kotwica666]

Advancing to the knockout stage should be easy for Croatia. They may still end up as no.2 in the Group F, given Belgium is likely to top that group (I won't rule out an upset though). In the next round, they are more likely to phase the winners from Group E. This is where it gets complicated. At this stage, their opponents will be either Spain or Germany. Although these two teams are not in very good form, I would consider them as having the upper hand against Croatia. So getting past the PQF round will be quite tough for Croatia.

I agree that Croatia shouldn't have problem advancing to the knockout stage. But I don't agree that Spain or Germany would be tough for Croatia to beat and advance to the quarterfinals. They are good teams but in the League of Nations Croatia has shown that they can win against any nation.

Argentina and Brazil are the biggest favorites in this year's World Cup. Both teams are very strong. Many of the players from both the teams have been playing in different good clubs, due to which they are performing well. Hopefully Argentina and Brazil will meet again at the World Cup, with the whole world divided into two halves to enjoy the game.

[Daniel91]

The only thing this team might be missing compared to the 2018 World Cup squad is a killer striker like Mandjukic.

We have been missing that for 4 years, and our coach has not been able to find a replacement for him - because Kramaric is overrated and plays very poorly for the national team, and Petkovic plays 1 good game out of 10. The only one who has something in his game is Livaja, but honestly, all three together do not have the quality that Mandjukic had.

For the most of time Mandžukić played for Croatia public opinion of him wasn't that high and we were crying for striker like Šuker, it is national team you play with what you have. I think Petković will actually do good on World Cup but I am not sure he deserves to go there. He always seemed like a player that picks his games for me and on the biggest stage like World Cup he shouldn't have problems with motivation.

We still have world class midfield, thanks to Modrić and we have better defense than we had in years. These young guys lead by Gvardiol could become one of the best defenses in the world in years to come.

I agree with you, we started appreciating Mandjukic only when he stopped playing for the national team.
At the moment, the Croatian national team is a very well-rounded team and we really only need a killer striker so that we can say that everything is perfect and that we are ready for the greatest achievements.
Kramaric is very good in the German league, but he doesn't play as well in the national team, I don't know why.
Petkovic obviously has mental problems or problems with himself and there is no help for that.
Livaja scored several important goals for the national team, but is he ready to become the main striker of this national team? Or Pasalic? I'm not sure. A very difficult task for a coach.