I like Modric. It's like he has 4 lungs, all over the places, defend, starts the offence, trying to take shot... Should be nominated for best player of this WC, probably up there with Pogba, Mbappe, Kane. From the France I like Kante. He did all the dirty work, kind of like Busquet but less annoying for me. I wish NT has these 2 players for the midfield. Not sure if the Croatians have any gas left in the tank after 2 PK games and 1 extra games where the France is well rested. Both have talents, France is younger and Croatia should be a bit more experienced. Hope for a good final.
I'm a little suspicious about their resurrection act in the 2nd half. They have a notorious dope abuser in their staff, so ....
Three extra time matches in a row!! Croatia players looked much fresher in extra time last night than did England. I don't know if it will catch up to them versus France. We'll have to see on Sunday!!!
and fresher than in the first half In the locker room they "found" a couple of bottles left by the Russian team after their last match
Either that or their coach or somebody must give them an inspirational speech, something along the line that let's go out and leave everything on the field as we are so close to the final and may never have this chance again. By that, they may not have anything left for final laugh. Croatia has about 4.4 millions people (Uruguay has about 3.4 millions). Let's see if either team in the final will go for the win or play not to lose.
Croatia's tactics have been on point and they make adjustments to attack the weak point of teams. Gareth Southgate I was reading all these articles about he leaves no stone unturned and looks to other sports for inspiration, but he had no inspiration on his team. I still think France is going to win the world cup. score an early goal, defend, hit on the counter.
Tough luck for Croatia this half so far... and got no love from the referee. First France's goal was quite dubious, there was very little contact on the foul to Griezmann (he certainly made a feast out of it ) before the free-kick.
What a horrible referee!!!!! Let the damn players decide the game, not the referee!!! My Sunday has been ruined
I'm very much in favour of the hockey rule in soccer: "if the ball hits your foot (adapted for soccer ...yor hand..), it's a penalty." It doesnot matter if it was intentionally or not.
LOL.....I didnt bet on this one, the return was too low @ 1.44 But Croatia got totally ripped off on this one. There's absolutely no way to sugarcoat this
Go over to the referees forum and read the discussion. Most felt that it was a handball and the penalty was deserved. I thought Griezman done and there should not have been a free kick, so no first goal
Yeah, I guess technically it's a penalty. Its just a shitty way to decide a final BTW O14, didnt you predict France would win the whole thing?? Nice call, if so
This France has good enough defense to score one goal and then kill you with counter attack with Mbappe and Griezmann. Germany on the hand is prone to quick counter attack which I am sure they will try to address. NT will be underdog so i hope these two will underestimate us and perhaps Lloris will be generous gifted us a goal somehow.