Maybe people should have a bit more respect for teams like Croatia who are solid and competitive and not just mindlessly buy into brand Brazil because they have great PR.
24 years of hurt.
24 years of hurt.
Day 18: Croatia vs Brazil | Netherlands vs Argentina (QF 1&2)
- Thread starter Samid
- Start date
I don't believe it. But it makes me feel better. The Brazilians needed to be brought down a peg and in the end that's what happened. Too much smoke was blown before the WC, even if I expected them to beat Croatia, I didn't expect them to win the WC. I feel like that's what they expected, though.
And those were some ice cold penalties by the Croatians.
And those were some ice cold penalties by the Croatians.
Fun for fans… for players it’s all about winning and doing whatever possible to win.
Oh, would be glorious.
I think they planned to, hence bringing on Fred. They all shat the bed though.
But they've played mostly against 10 men behind the ball in all of their games.
Fair play to Croatia.
Not an exciting team but pragmatic, they do what they need to do to be successful. They've got an ancient Modric running the show, and dubious quality elsewhere. They can't go toe to toe in an attacking style but they're a very intelligent side.
Not an exciting team but pragmatic, they do what they need to do to be successful. They've got an ancient Modric running the show, and dubious quality elsewhere. They can't go toe to toe in an attacking style but they're a very intelligent side.
It's a distinct possibility.
Tactical masterclass from LvG incoming, but I reckon Argentina have found their best XI now.
And who wins?
Imagine a Croatia and Netherlands finalI want Netherlands to get through though just so we can our best defender back.
LVG rubbing one out as we speak in anticipation.
Hopefully
Croatia were superb. Both teams had 700 passes and fought a great match. Well done to them.
1400 Dutch fans, the rest all Argies. Feck me
Your best takers need to be 1, 2, and 3. The order doesn't matter, but those are the only pens guaranteed to be taken.
Putting your best takers anywhere else is just absolutely stupid.
Brunoooo!
That's what I thought first, but when I saw them play in this WC I genuinely couldn't see them as the monster they've been depicted. Nothing like France, England or Portugal (without Ronaldo). They've been weak mentally too.
I still think that the winner of France v England will take the trophy home.
Nobody is hating Croatia. Its just that nobody wants to get bored to death watching them.Its a bit weird how much hate Croatia are getting here
4th penalty shootout in 6 WC knockouts since they started in 2018.
Fred pressing near the opposite corner flag 3 minutes before the end when his team is supposed to defend a 1-0 lead has to be one of the stupidest things I've seen at this level...
Brazil, outside of the South Korea game haven't exactly been enthralling. This side of the bracket isn't exciting outside of Messi turning it on.
Portugal should take note today. Their big win against the Swiss would mean nothing if they do not take Morocco seriously. They can also ask the Spanish.
They actually tried to do that, and it was their downfall
NOt sure I understand how people think Croatia are boring?!
If being tactically astute, resolute, good on the ball and solid at the back is boring you guys had better go watch a different game.
If being tactically astute, resolute, good on the ball and solid at the back is boring you guys had better go watch a different game.
Be interesting to see what team wants it the most after seeing Brazil get knocked out. I fancy either Argentina or Holland to beat Croatia.
When Mateo is healthy he is a very good player.
Definitely. That's the final before the final
Croatia will shithouse their way to the title
I'm not saying they deserve it but they kind of do.
Croatia have 4 million people as a population, they're against the overwhelming tournament favourites. Who are literally a footballing nation.
Croatia have a winning formula, full credit to them.
When you see an underdog, you cheer every tackle, every save and every minute that passes.
It's fun to watch the underdogs win.
You need to take the initiative though.
If we have seen anything at the WC it's that getting the banker penalties in are more important than waiting for something that may never come.
It was a grave error to not send the biggest players first.
See how much space Croatia had on the attack. They were too focused on keep ball high up the bitch and committed many to winning it early
Morocco are incredibly disciplined but I do think Portugal will have to much for them
And for us in the semis
He was brought on to kill off the game and shore up the midfield.
Not fecking vacate it chasing down lost causes.
A classic "you should enjoy the game the way I do otherwise watch something else" comment.
Tbf I thought it was a terrific watch even though Croatia can't attack
then watch Netflix or something els on tv. Simple.
This is dumb, Croatia were desperately chasing the equalizer at that point and Brazil left their right side wide open naively."Fred didn't do anything wrong."
Must be a coincidence that Croatia looked threatening for the first time in over 115 mins.
Just admit it. Fred is an inevitable chain reaction. He might not cause it directly but his presence is chaos.
Always been a Brazil fan when it comes to WC, probably due to Ronaldo when I was a kid
But kind of happy for this in terms of United since we get three of our players back now and some rest time, Case is great but looks tired in my opinion
But kind of happy for this in terms of United since we get three of our players back now and some rest time, Case is great but looks tired in my opinion
Imagine bringing him on to see out a game.
Can stop that sentence at "on"
It was all the dancing the other day. As with Dancing Pardew, if you dance before the competition is over it has a habit of coming back to bite you in the Borax.