Soccer/Football

sandensea

(22,850 posts) Wed Jul 11, 2018, 03:41 PM Jul 2018

Croatia and France to face off in 2018 World Cup final

England saw its best chance of ending several generations’ worth of World Cup pain slip away on Wednesday night, as Croatia fought back for a 2-1 win in extra time, securing a spot against France in Sunday’s final.

England had not been to a semifinal since 1990, and not reached the title game since it won soccer’s greatest prize for the only time back in 1966. This, for much of a wild and rugged evening at Luzhniki Stadium, looked like the time. Until it wasn’t.

Croatia was one of the most impressive teams of the group stage before surviving two penalty shootouts to reach this point. Its technical ability and fierce resiliency allowed it to capitalize on England’s nervous lapses when victory was in sight.

Mario Mandzukic got the winner in injury time to put Croatia, with previously a tournament-best semifinal in 1998 to its name, one game away from winning it all.

At: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/worldcup/2018/07/11/croatia-england-mario-mandzukic-world-cup-semifinals/776569002/

14 replies

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Croatia and France to face off in 2018 World Cup final (Original Post) sandensea Jul 2018 OP

So England and Belgium play for 3rd and 4th? peacebuzzard Jul 2018 #1

Another match between the Belgian and English reserves then... Ron Obvious Jul 2018 #3

To be forever known as the Poirot playoff sandensea Jul 2018 #4

I thought Croatia played really dirty. Very disappointed by the result lunamagica Jul 2018 #2

I am, too. LisaM Jul 2018 #5

The Refs erpowers Jul 2018 #12

Honestly, I didn't see the English players shoving and tripping their opponents the way lunamagica Jul 2018 #13

Saw a Little From England erpowers Jul 2018 #14

Croatia deserved it. Ron Obvious Jul 2018 #6

I disagree. They played dirty lunamagica Jul 2018 #7

Can't say I noticed particularly. n/t Ron Obvious Jul 2018 #8

Neither did I Hav Jul 2018 #10

England's gonna England......... T_i_B Jul 2018 #9

It's the hope that kills you. Ron Obvious Jul 2018 #11

peacebuzzard

(5,270 posts)

1. So England and Belgium play for 3rd and 4th?

Reply to sandensea (Original post)

Wed Jul 11, 2018, 03:44 PM

Jul 2018

Of course, interest drops at that point.

Ron Obvious

(6,261 posts)

3. Another match between the Belgian and English reserves then...

Reply to peacebuzzard (Reply #1)

Wed Jul 11, 2018, 03:47 PM

Jul 2018

I imagine nobody wants to play this one. Or watch it.

Belgium should win it.

sandensea

(22,850 posts)

4. To be forever known as the Poirot playoff

Reply to peacebuzzard (Reply #1)

Wed Jul 11, 2018, 03:47 PM

Jul 2018

"How this strains the little gray cells."

lunamagica

(9,967 posts)

2. I thought Croatia played really dirty. Very disappointed by the result

Reply to sandensea (Original post)

Wed Jul 11, 2018, 03:45 PM

Jul 2018

LisaM

(28,614 posts)

5. I am, too.

Reply to lunamagica (Reply #2)

Wed Jul 11, 2018, 03:48 PM

Jul 2018

A lot of my Tottenham players were on England. Well, vive la France!

erpowers

(9,360 posts)

12. The Refs

Reply to lunamagica (Reply #2)

Wed Jul 11, 2018, 09:31 PM

Jul 2018

I did think the refs were letting Croatia get away with some fouls. However, it seems that the refs were letting each team play a little hard. Maybe the commentators were more concerned about Croatia, but even the commentators were calling for the refs to issue more yellow cards.

lunamagica

(9,967 posts)

13. Honestly, I didn't see the English players shoving and tripping their opponents the way

Reply to erpowers (Reply #12)

Wed Jul 11, 2018, 10:04 PM

Jul 2018

the Croatians did. I thought England played a clean game.

erpowers

(9,360 posts)

14. Saw a Little From England

Reply to lunamagica (Reply #13)

Thu Jul 12, 2018, 10:24 AM

Jul 2018

I thought I saw a little hard play from the England players, but during the game I thought English Fans would have a right to complain about the refs. I would not have had a problem with English fans claiming the refs were working with Croatia in order to help them win. At least once, I thought the ball was last touched by the Croatian team before it went out of bounds, but the ball was given back to Croatia. So, yeah, you and other England fans/supporters have a right to be upset. The officiating for that game was poor.