FIFA World Cup 2018 chat thread

[sussexpob]

I don't fancy Russia. That crowd is wild, the type that can scare teams into under playing....

[yuppie]

I notice they have stolen the thunderclap.

Surely england supporters want extra time and penalties here.

[sussexpob]

I notice they have stolen the thunderclap.

Surely england supporters want extra time and penalties here.

Yeah of course. I wonder if any team has every played consecutive extra time and penalties, and won their next match? England have also had an extra games rest for most. Got to think in such a short tournament that its a huge bonus at the moment?

[yuppie]

England are well placed and they were very calm today.

On paper Croatia will be hard to beat, but as you say the crowd will be huge for Russia. But there is a calmness about England, so maybe Russia would be better....

[sussexpob]

England are well placed and they were very calm today.

On paper Croatia will be hard to beat, but as you say the crowd will be huge for Russia. But there is a calmness about England, so maybe Russia would be better....

Not sure I sensed the calmness in England during the game today, not at least till 25 minutes had been played. Thought they came out very nervous and tentative. Getting Russia feels like a Champions League semi where the away leg is the only one. Teams dont tend to win away in big matches, especially important ones.

[sussexpob]

I get the point mind. Croatia on paper are better, but tend to think that at times they have been the sum of their worst parts. I think they are beatable if England can limit Modric. Rakitic has been poor most of what I have seen

[sussexpob]

And thats obviously before we talk about the ref, and what pressure he might be under.

[sussexpob]

I typed that post, and then the ref gave a free kick for a ball hitting chest against Croatia..

[yuppie]

It was a cagey nervous start today, but it might be the same for Russia.
I guess either team wont matter. The papers will love Russia vs England though.

Had a long discussion today with the neighbours, and they all thought VAR was the reason for Sweden progressing. Interesting discussion. But i do get the fear of another South Korea situation.

[sussexpob]

Boom

[sussexpob]

Russia equalise with 5 mins to go... both teams look knackered, love it

[yuppie]

Perfect for England. Though the drugs russians have access to.......

[yuppie]

wont be used.

[sussexpob]

I just can't see how Croatia can play two 120 min games and win a semi.

[st_brendy]

I notice they have stolen the thunderclap.

Surely england supporters want extra time and penalties here.

Yeah of course. I wonder if any team has every played consecutive extra time and penalties, and won their next match? England have also had an extra games rest for most. Got to think in such a short tournament that its a huge bonus at the moment?

To the best of my knowledge, Argentina are the only team to win consecutive penalty shoot-outs, in the 1990 World Cup. They followed them up by losing their next match, the final.