These are awesome!!!

France were great, some great play from young Mbappe on a grand scale. His pace is frightening, bit more composure near the end of the game and they could have had a second.

I also believe France will win it now though It wouldn't surprise me if Croatia were to win it either, they have some really impressive players.

If your superstitious you can draw some comparisons to the 1998 World Cup.

France and Denmark both qualified from Group C
Argentine and Croatia in the same group
England and Tunisia in the same Group
Last time Croatia reached the semi-finals

You can also say last time we had a all European semi-final Was in 2006....

Belgium v Brazil last night another great match. Some brilliant individual performances from both teams. Wonder why Douglas Costa didn't start.
Coutinho two fantastic chances to level the game and some great saves from Courtois. Wish the match went on. How good was Hazard, pure class. Do wonder how it would have gone if not for the own goal.

Great credit to Belgium, winning all their matches and scoring great goals. France have got a match on their hands.

Croatia have a great opportunity here, manageable route to the final with some great players they have.

I think Swdden played better against Germany and Mexico than they did today, they probably went into their shell too much in the first half.

@hazz3r said in 2018 FIFA World Cup:

@lotias Depends on the metrics. Columbia were being very unsportsmanlike. The scuffing up of the penalty spot I thought was specifically underhanded. We deserved the win based on that.

But in terms of gameplay, I don't think England had a single shot on target?

According to FIFA England somehow managed 2 shots on target. I only remember the Kane penalty. Lacking any creative play upfront.

Eric Dier had a free header at the end which he should have at least hit the target with, fitting he scored the winning penalty.

Saw glimpses of Colombia's performance against Poland late in the 2nd half and 1st half of extra time, where they pressed the ball better and had more energy about their play. England looked on the ropes at that stage.

In the second half of the draw we have three teams who, since 1990, have all reached the semi finals. England in 1990, Sweden in 1994 and Croatia in 1998. So Sweden to knock out England and Croatia to best Sweden in the semi then?

@axel said in 2018 FIFA World Cup:

I'm absolutely gutted for Japan, they had it! But unlike some other teams, they don't play dirty / waste time and it cost them. But congrats to Belgium, they also played fair and were simply the stronger team in the end.

I really hope they'll beat Brazil next because as @Sentinel-Beach said, Neymar is pathetic and I'd love to see him get kicked out. Total disgrace.

@robert7lee Does the English press really see them as favourites against Colombia? That's delusional, Colombia has been a lot more impressive so far, and not just in this tournament. They're easily the second-best South American team behind Brazil. England can definitely beat them, for me it's a 50-50 and a huge test for them.

I hope Sweden pulls it off tonight so I can have on team to cheer for on both sides of the bracket! Heja Sverige!

English bookmakers are making England favourites and mostly football pundits saying they think England should win this one. Apparently James Rodriguez might not play but even without him I think they look a threat. They chance for them to make the final.

Great subs by Martinez in the Belgium match. Surprised how many problems Japan caused and going for it at the end with a corner. Brave stuff but really poor corner cost them.

We've been blessed with some amazing goals in the last 16; Di Maria, Pavard, that Cavani 2nd goal. Just brilliant stuff so far. I assume it'll get a lot more cagey in the quarter finals.

Can't believe how some of the English press and media perceive Colombia. They see England as favourites and I don't understand where that's coming from. 6-1 over Panama was a little flattering, there was no real tempo, passing, pace from England. Some people haven't learned to manage their expectations. cough Iceland cough . I'd say Colombia look much more comfortable on the ball, better moving and passing than England's. We'll see.

Switzerland v Sweden simply have no clue who could win this. Switzerland look really difficult to beat.

Can we get a Sweden v Brazil final I wonder, repeat of the only time a South American side has won the WC in Eirope.

The draw is looking interesting, Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina in one half and mostly European teams in the 2nd half of the draw

Mexico again get a tough last 16 match. Extremeley unlucky four years ago against the Netherlands. The previous two exits were to Argentine. I recall some controversy surrounding one of those matches and Argentina being lucky to get through.
Their best chance was against USA in 2002. Maybe luck might be on their side for once, be huge if they could get past Brazil.

Germany have eliminated Argentina out of the last three World Cups, even though their not playing well you wouldn't want to bet against them now they're through. Though I suspect France would have something to say about that. Should be an interesting encounter.

Spain or Croatis have a great opportunity to reach the semi final / final. You'd think Soain might be too much for the hosts and Croatia have been looking strong, they seem to have a greater attacking threat compared to Denmark. I don't want Denmark to progress any further after their display against France.

No idea what's going to happen in Group H, I just hope Colombia keep playing like they did against Poland and they could prove to be a real handful to anyone.

Day off on Friday, what are we going to do???

@axel said in 2018 FIFA World Cup:

Sweden really threw away this one, they could have done much better in the final minutes to secure the draw, I'm kinda mad at them. Big kudos to Germany though, this is why I was selfishly hoping they'd get kicked out. They're so freaking unkillable, they're gonna be extremely dangerous for the rest of the tournament now.

Really thought Swden would take control of the match after Boateng saw red. But they kept giving away free kicks and just tried to hold what they had.

This group is exciting now, all three sides could potentially finish on 6 points and I believe Mexico can still be eliminated if they lose to Sweden. Can't wait for the finale.

@bard91 said in 2018 FIFA World Cup:

@robert7lee Colombia* not Columbia

Wow I've been spelling Colombia wrong all my life that's not the only thing I was wrong about. This was like Huber convinced Rockstar would show up at E3

I was so convinced Germany's desperation would cause them to lose especially after Boateng saw red. Sweden were great in the first half and that save from Neuer at the end of the half, so Important. Great mentality to come back. What a game, what drama and finish!!

@sentinel-beach said in 2018 FIFA World Cup:

Belgium today: like a boss. I wonder who wants to face them.

You'd imagine Columbia might have the. Best chance against them. Japan, Senegal and Poland would definitely get a rough time. But who knows.

I'm going to stick my neck out today and say I'm convinced Sweden will beat Germany. I never go against the Germans but the whole thing about the previous winners going out in the group stages and then losing to Mexico. They might be the better team or get done by a harsh decision from the referee but I think this is their end.