Expecting a great game between France and Belgium but ultimately, it'll be France going through to the final.
Hmm... not sure about that. Lukaku's a real handful and with Hazard driving into area with the ball tied to his feet and KdB picking out the passes I'm not sure they haven't got the beating of them. To my mind Lukaku is better than Giroud, Hazard is more effective than Griezmann and KdB is more effective than ANY of the French playmakers. The French have Mbpappe but I find it very hard to judge him. He looks to be a speed merchant but I'm not sure how good he might be in a game that's closed down with very little space. So if it comes down to goals, they have more raw firepower IMO. If it gets tight, however, as you suggest, it should be France. Should be a great game, anyway
Croatia are on a different level to Russia when you look at the midfield.. Im hoping Russia can find a way through .
Just when I was about to write off Croatia they score . Looks like it will be Croatia in the semi final . I think if they settle down and move the ball quicker they carve Russia open. They do like quite ordinary though . They have nothin up front . They have Loveren in defense who is one of the worst defenders in the premier league . Their midfield is good but its overrated . Modric is a great midfielder but Rakitic is completely overrated and Kramaric isn't great . Their 2 wingers aren't great either, If England are playing them in the semi's . You only really need to worry about Modric . On the counter attack Sterling's pace will eat them alive . From what i have seen of them you have very little to worry about .
It's still 1-1. What's great about Russia is that they're so efficient when they get chacnes. Cheryshev is a skillful long-range shooter.
It is going to be interesting to see how South America react to this tournament. Usually at youth level they have teams that are pretty frightening. There hasn’t been many amazing South American teams at youth level for a while though.
There is that Vinicius Jr from Brazil. He'll be 21 in 2022. Argentina have a couple more good strikers coming through, but not any decent No. 10 or 8's unlike us. Venezuela had a strong U20 group last year and several of them have already gotten capped, but that might not be enough. Uruguay probably have a strong Copa America squad, but Cavani and Suarez will be 35 in 2022. Colombia could be strong though. Young, solid defense and James will still be 30 along with a couple other decent playmakers.
I wouldn't mind either tbh. They both have weaknesses we can exploit. I actually think we might do better against Croatia.
I'd be disappointed if we lost to either Croatia or Russia. Are they both capable of beating us? Yes. Would they be favourites? No.
I don't think so. The Argentina performance flattered them somewhat and they haven't massively impressed elsewhere. Denmark played them off the pitch in the second half and they've laboured somewhat today. They've got two world class midfielders, but they're going through two extra time matches and aren't exactly spring chickens. The rest of the team are good rather than great. I don't think we'd be clear favourites, but we'd have the edge.
Croatia can't complete a cross. It's amazing what you can do to cause trouble in the box like what we have with Trippier, Young and Henderson at times.