World Cup 2018 Round of 16 and Finals

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

I was expecting more goal mouth action, but the defences were in charge tonight. Well done France, better luck next time Belgium.

This World Cup is one for the French to lose, I don't see England or Croatia beating them.

[Tyr66]

Liberté, Egalité, MBappé !!
Varane and Lloris were from another world this evening. Untouchable .
Hope for a great final vs England. If Croatia team wins tomorrow , those guys are already completely cooked for the very last step .

[Jack the Stripper]

Can't imagine how both countries supporters will be feeling as they wake up this morning 

Both teams have been a surprise in making it this far. England have had a charmed run all the way to the semi's but deserves to be there as does Croatia.

Not an easy game to predict. England have been brilliant at set pieces in this World Cup whilst Croatia has been poor at defending set pieces but England haven't come up against a midfield as good as Croatia's.

Just hope it's a great match with plenty of goals and drama.

England 3 - 2

[Charger]

Today's match should be equally exciting as yesterday's was...

Both England and Croatia have played an absolutely SUBERB tournament so far. Which probably is a bit of a surprise actually...I doubt many expected those two countries to be fighting for a place at the finals.

Croatia's team has been a real treat to watch as they have played really solid footsy and Modric is a genius in the middle field...always reminds me of Xavi in his prime.

England's got the best team and best coach they've had in decades I'd say and it shows.

Going to the match England has a slight advantage over Croatia because the last to matches Croatia has been forced to play the full 120 mins and penalty kicks...England on the other hand has won both so they have a lot less minutes behind them and at this stage of the tournament that WILL show.

So I believe England will win, but again honestly I'll be happy either way.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

To be honest England have gone further in this tournament than anyone expected. Sure we were probably going to get out of the group but we didn't think we would go much further.

Obviously us English have hopes for getting to the final but if we go out tonight I don't think anyone will be too dissapointed. As has been pointed out the squad are young and inexperienced... the next two or three tournaments are where they are going to shine!

Having said that -- and accepting that Croatia are equally deserving of being in the semi-final -- I do think that we have a good chance of beating them, but I think it will be tight: 1-0 or 2-1 and I wouldn't rule out penalties.

[Zzzptm]

GOAL IN THE 5th MINUTE! WOW!

England sends it over the Croatians and into the net!

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Ok so we're 1-0 up at half time and probably had the better of the half. I wish we had got another goal because Croatia are not out of this and although they didn't create much they only need the one chance.

[Charger]

Great first half from England!

I gotta say Croatia is in trouble...for the first time in this whole tournament.

[Zzzptm]

I had to pause the game while I took a call, I just now saw the goal Croatia scored, wow... now I'm caught up on the score and am back to the live feed.

Auto-fast-forward to the rescue!

[Charger]

If the first half was England's the second half most certainly was Croatia's...they played really really well and England kind of lost their touch a little bit...

So 30 mins to go and then Penalty Kicks await...

[Zzzptm]

OH WOW CROATIA DONE DID IT

[Zzzptm]

Wow, that was some great futbol there, I tell you what. Croatia's got a real chance of winning the World Cup this year. So does France, and that's what's going to make that game so exciting.

[Charger]

Congrats to Croatia for the win...

But I do really really really feel sorry for England. They played a great match and a fantastic tournament...BUT so did Croatia though.

It was kind of an interesting match this one though...
First half England ruled
Second Half Croatia ruled
ET first half England ruled
ET second half Croatia ruled...

Haven't really seen a match like this before where the focus has changed so evenly between the two teams...but I guess that just showed how good and most importantly EVEN both teams were.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

Croatia won, and they played a lot better after half time... I said we should have got a second!

England did well but when it mattered they couldn't make any clear cut chances. I think we were poor going forward, particularly in the second half and extra time.

But I shouldn't be too dissapointed we went much further than we expected. Here's for 3rd place!

[Jack the Stripper]

Congrats to Croatia. Great to see a first timer in the final.

Even though I stand to collect a nice little payout on France I'd still love to see Croatia win it. Despite the fact I have some Croation blood from my Dads side I also love an underdog story.