The Football World Cup Thread - Russia, 2018

naveenroy · 11th July 2018, 01:24

Looks like Belgium really didn't have the pedigree. They looked so scared and lost from the 4th minute or so. Nothing new to offer. Lukaku hardly had a touch.

thoma · 11th July 2018, 01:34

Exactly. They were trying to play possession football, but that is not what matters in these crunch matches, it's all about penetration and finishes.

France are determined to be champions and if it's not for England, they are in for a cake walk.

Somebody should put a look out notice for Lukaku!

roby_dk · 11th July 2018, 01:49

France will be holding the world cup trophy. Belgium didn't played their game they should have tried attacking after conceding the first goal with full energy. Lukaku was an Oblivion today not sure where was he playing, rather than winning ball and creating chances he was praying to touch the ball. Anyways I wish to see the final between France and Croatia.

benbsb29 · 11th July 2018, 05:27

Belgium played well below par today. Was quite surprising to see them, it was almost as if they were drained out having peaked too early. France got through with the one goal from a setpiece, which only goes to underline the importance of strategies around these in this WC.

I hope Croatia get the better of England tomorrow. If not, it will be the master of setpieces playing each other in the finals.

vb-saan · 11th July 2018, 07:49

I guess in the end the experience of being on the big stage helped France. Belgium looked a bit too overwhelmed with the occasion.

ksameer1234 · 11th July 2018, 10:53

Belgium looked better team in first half. However, the goal early in second half probably deflated their spirits. Every Belgium player, Hazard included, was just standing still seemingly drained of motivation. However, not calling the foul committed on Hazard just outside the French box was a glaring blunder by referee. If may be that free kick was awarded, the result may have been different.

For all the talent of Mbappe it was frustrating to see him fake dives and waste time towards the end. I have observed that the difference between winners and losers in this world cup has been the ability to fake dives and grab attention of referee to gain free kick / penalty kick. This is setting very bad example for the youngsters.

Chetan_Rao · 12th July 2018, 00:00

Croatia sleepwalking thus far, England busy throwing themselves to the turf.

joe1980 · 12th July 2018, 00:08

England vs Croatia looks like they are playing the first round of matches and does not have the intensity of a Semi finals. I guess England could have been on the tougher side of the tournament where Brazil or Argentina could have been on the other side. With this quality of game England does not stand a chance to win against France!

Rahul Bhalgat · 12th July 2018, 00:10

It's early, but Croatia is showing the signs of loosing. They also are looking slow in run and in reflexes. Tackles, passes and shots are not like winners, right now.

Come on Croatia.

strawhat · 12th July 2018, 00:17

England by far have been the better team. Their movement has been better and look more a threat from open play. Their finishing must improve though. Kane chance especially should have been buried.

Croatia must be cursing themselves now. They have looked more lively in the last few mins. They do not want to hear the half time whistle.

kavensri · 12th July 2018, 00:21

England defenders and mid fielders have completed neutralized modric's effect in this match so far. but England though leading, also missed couple of chances. hope they will not regret it later?

naveenroy · 12th July 2018, 00:33

What a goal by Kane. I mean miss by Kane. Golden boot. Sheesh.

Croatia looked the better side in the last few minutes of the first half. Me thinks they will score in the first few mins of the 2nd.

EDIT - nice goal by Croatia. And a miss...that was a bad miss. They could have buried the match!!

Chetan_Rao · 12th July 2018, 00:42

France have nothing to fear from either of these two.

Croatia are asleep, and England can neither play nor play-act as good as the French, though they're giving the acting bit a good go.

Edit: England caught napping! Trippier went for the spectacular clearance instead of a routine block on Perisic which he was well-placed for.

Edit 2: Croatia are suddenly wide awake, and England are scrambling.

Croatia, who couldn't hit a barn door in the first 60 mins, are suddenly pinging 30 yarders to boot-laces.

kavensri · 12th July 2018, 00:56

this is what happens if you don't take your chances when you are leading by a single goal!

strawhat · 12th July 2018, 01:07

Croatia have been showing more urgency in the 2nd half. Seems they got a well deserved earful from their manager. The last few mins have shown what they can do when Modric is afforded space.

That Persic miss! Hope it doesn't come back to haunt Croatia.

View Poll Results: Who do you think will win the world cup ?
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Germany	46	24.34%
Argentina	18	9.52%
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Belgium	21	11.11%
Brazil	30	15.87%
Colombia	0	0%
Costa Rica	1	0.53%
Croatia	8	4.23%
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Poland	1	0.53%
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Saudi Arabia	1	0.53%
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11th July 2018, 01:24	#301
naveenroy Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,511 Thanked: 1,253 Times	Re: The Football World Cup Thread - Russia, 2018 Looks like Belgium really didn't have the pedigree. They looked so scared and lost from the 4th minute or so. Nothing new to offer. Lukaku hardly had a touch.
	() Thanks

11th July 2018, 01:34	#302
thoma Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Kerala Posts: 1,980 Thanked: 1,447 Times View My Garage	Re: The Football World Cup Thread - Russia, 2018 Exactly. They were trying to play possession football, but that is not what matters in these crunch matches, it's all about penetration and finishes. France are determined to be champions and if it's not for England, they are in for a cake walk. Somebody should put a look out notice for Lukaku!
	() Thanks

11th July 2018, 01:49	#303
roby_dk BHPian Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: New Delhi Posts: 753 Thanked: 2,155 Times View My Garage	Re: The Football World Cup Thread - Russia, 2018 France will be holding the world cup trophy. Belgium didn't played their game they should have tried attacking after conceding the first goal with full energy. Lukaku was an Oblivion today not sure where was he playing, rather than winning ball and creating chances he was praying to touch the ball. Anyways I wish to see the final between France and Croatia.
	() Thanks

11th July 2018, 05:27	#304
benbsb29 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 9,969 Thanked: 13,231 Times View My Garage	Re: The Football World Cup Thread - Russia, 2018 Belgium played well below par today. Was quite surprising to see them, it was almost as if they were drained out having peaked too early. France got through with the one goal from a setpiece, which only goes to underline the importance of strategies around these in this WC. I hope Croatia get the better of England tomorrow. If not, it will be the master of setpieces playing each other in the finals.
	() Thanks

11th July 2018, 07:49	#305
vb-saan Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: S'pore/Thrissur Posts: 7,273 Thanked: 12,405 Times	Re: The Football World Cup Thread - Russia, 2018 I guess in the end the experience of being on the big stage helped France. Belgium looked a bit too overwhelmed with the occasion.
	() Thanks

11th July 2018, 10:53	#306
ksameer1234 BHPian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Mumbai Posts: 775 Thanked: 2,700 Times	Re: The Football World Cup Thread - Russia, 2018 Belgium looked better team in first half. However, the goal early in second half probably deflated their spirits. Every Belgium player, Hazard included, was just standing still seemingly drained of motivation. However, not calling the foul committed on Hazard just outside the French box was a glaring blunder by referee. If may be that free kick was awarded, the result may have been different. For all the talent of Mbappe it was frustrating to see him fake dives and waste time towards the end. I have observed that the difference between winners and losers in this world cup has been the ability to fake dives and grab attention of referee to gain free kick / penalty kick. This is setting very bad example for the youngsters.
	() Thanks

12th July 2018, 00:00	#307
Chetan_Rao Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,902 Thanked: 24,086 Times	Re: The Football World Cup Thread - Russia, 2018 Croatia sleepwalking thus far, England busy throwing themselves to the turf.
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12th July 2018, 00:08	#308
joe1980 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Andromeda Posts: 336 Thanked: 155 Times	Re: The Football World Cup Thread - Russia, 2018 England vs Croatia looks like they are playing the first round of matches and does not have the intensity of a Semi finals. I guess England could have been on the tougher side of the tournament where Brazil or Argentina could have been on the other side. With this quality of game England does not stand a chance to win against France!
	() Thanks

12th July 2018, 00:10	#309
Rahul Bhalgat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Pune Posts: 1,155 Thanked: 1,956 Times	Re: The Football World Cup Thread - Russia, 2018 It's early, but Croatia is showing the signs of loosing. They also are looking slow in run and in reflexes. Tackles, passes and shots are not like winners, right now. Come on Croatia.
	() Thanks

12th July 2018, 00:17	#310
strawhat BHPian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: SBC/SC/VSKP Posts: 270 Thanked: 501 Times	Re: The Football World Cup Thread - Russia, 2018 England by far have been the better team. Their movement has been better and look more a threat from open play. Their finishing must improve though. Kane chance especially should have been buried. Croatia must be cursing themselves now. They have looked more lively in the last few mins. They do not want to hear the half time whistle.
	() Thanks

12th July 2018, 00:21	#311
kavensri BHPian Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: BengaLooru Posts: 327 Thanked: 738 Times View My Garage	England defenders and mid fielders have completed neutralized modric's effect in this match so far. but England though leading, also missed couple of chances. hope they will not regret it later?
	() Thanks

12th July 2018, 00:33	#312
naveenroy Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,511 Thanked: 1,253 Times	Re: The Football World Cup Thread - Russia, 2018 What a goal by Kane. I mean miss by Kane. Golden boot. Sheesh. Croatia looked the better side in the last few minutes of the first half. Me thinks they will score in the first few mins of the 2nd. EDIT - nice goal by Croatia. And a miss...that was a bad miss. They could have buried the match!! Last edited by naveenroy : 12th July 2018 at 01:00.
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12th July 2018, 00:42	#313
Chetan_Rao Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,902 Thanked: 24,086 Times	Re: The Football World Cup Thread - Russia, 2018 France have nothing to fear from either of these two. Croatia are asleep, and England can neither play nor play-act as good as the French, though they're giving the acting bit a good go. Edit: England caught napping! Trippier went for the spectacular clearance instead of a routine block on Perisic which he was well-placed for. Edit 2: Croatia are suddenly wide awake, and England are scrambling. Croatia, who couldn't hit a barn door in the first 60 mins, are suddenly pinging 30 yarders to boot-laces. Last edited by Chetan_Rao : 12th July 2018 at 01:04.
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12th July 2018, 00:56	#314
kavensri BHPian Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: BengaLooru Posts: 327 Thanked: 738 Times View My Garage	this is what happens if you don't take your chances when you are leading by a single goal!
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12th July 2018, 01:07	#315
strawhat BHPian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: SBC/SC/VSKP Posts: 270 Thanked: 501 Times	Re: The Football World Cup Thread - Russia, 2018 Croatia have been showing more urgency in the 2nd half. Seems they got a well deserved earful from their manager. The last few mins have shown what they can do when Modric is afforded space. That Persic miss! Hope it doesn't come back to haunt Croatia.
	() Thanks