Quarter-Finals 3: Russia v Croatia, 7th July, 7pm(GMT)

[Xerxster]

I'm a bit tense

 

[Pagnell]

Hahahahahaha!

Love it.

 

[JJ1532]

Given how these sides have defended set pieces, England should be rubbing their hands with glee. Both look woeful, although tiredness is probably a factor.

 

[Super_horns]

Trouble for Croatia now with a crippled goalie facing penalties...

 

[Pagnell]

Shit penalty.

 

[JJ1532]

These 2 are utterly hopeless. Neither team wants to win.

 

[JJ1532]

Probably just about deserved for Croatia. Thanks Russia, you took out Spain, much appreciated.

 

[Pagnell]

Fully expected Croatia would win, but fuck me they left it close. Great for England they were again taken to extra time. Confident we will win.

 

[Renegade]

If Croatia bring you to penalties, you're going out lads.

 

[SALTIRE]

Phew, what a game. As a footballing spectacle it wasn't the greatest, but for the tension and drama it was up there. When Russia got that 115th minute equaliser you would be forgiven for thinking their name was on the cup, but alas it wasn't to be.

Well done Croatia, you are doing it the hard way, but you are doing it.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Great opportunity for Croatia to have another go at winning the Bronze medal, well done.

 

[Predator373]

If Croatia bring you to penalties, you're going out lads.

Wouldn’t be so sure. They missed one and Modric was extremely lucky to score. If it goes to pens it’s 50/50 really.

 

[Dirk]

Well done Croatia, you are doing it the hard way, but you are doing it.

There we go, Salty .
Wow, this Smolov guy will be deported to Siberia and what a tragic hero is Fernandez (a Brazilian born player who doesn't speak a word russian the commentator said). First his equaliser at the end and then he misses the whole goal 2 of the shittiest penalties ever.

edit: Hot President, Croatia

 

[LondonOrn]

For whatever reason, Croatia haven't shown anything of the quality they're capable of in the knockout stages, but one thing we have to be wary of is their great resilience and mental strength.

They bounce back quickly from the shock of conceding an early goal vs Denmark and they show great fortitude to win the penalty shoot-out after the disappointment of missing the penalty just two minutes beforehand that would have won the game.

They similarly used reserves of character against Russia to quickly hit back after a strike that came out of nowhere, and again win on penalties after conceding that late equaliser when they looked to be cruising into the semis. And they did a professional job on Iceland even with a much changed team when Iceland could have qualified at Argentina's expense, to qualify for the next round with a 100% record by scoring in the last minute after conceding that Sigurdsson equaliser.

We had to be on our mettle even after going 2-0 up against Sweden and against Croatia we'll have to be much more so in a game where nothing will be decided over the 90/120 minutes, except in Croatia's favour and only if the boys freeze on the big occasion. The encouraging thing is several of the England players have played against Modric before, Henderson in the Champions League Final, Trippier, Dier, Alli and Kane in Spurs' sensational 3-1 win over Real Madrid when Alli scored a brace. I confidently believe that if you stop Modric you pretty much stop Croatia, but it still won't be easy.

 

[JimJams]

... nothing will be decided over the 90/120 minutes, except in Croatia's favour and only if the boys freeze on the big occasion.

If I'm reading this right you're essentially saying we can only win on penalties. Which is bollocks. And also doesn't fit the rest of your post.

 

[LondonOrn]

No, I meant that whether we win/lose over 90 or 120 minutes, no team is going to be leading by more than one goal (if any are scored).

 

[JimJams]

Ah ok, with ya. Basically nobody will be out of sight in the 90/120.