The @blocktrades World Cup | My selections for the Semi finals
It's been a long time coming, but England have reached the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup - and they deserve to be there!
The quarter final results mean that we have 4 European countries in the semi-final of the World Cup for only the fifth time. And one of the teams I fancied before the tournament are still in and looking strong.
I was asked last night if I was old enough to remember England's semi-final against Germany. I'll be 40 in December and replied with yes, and the 1986 quarter final against Argentina featuring the 'hand of god'. Both those games left me and my brother in tears, football meant a lot to us back then!
3 decades later, I doubt there will be tears, but I'd be lying if I said don't mind England going out - I just hope the game is played in a fair and honest manner, the referee doesn't cock anything up, and the deserved winner progresses.
France v Belgium is the stand out tie, and even though my heart is siding with England, I think the winner of this game will lift the World Cup. Hazard and De Bruyne are great players, but they are up against Kante and Pogba and a strong, athletic French team. I expect the game to be very close and cannot see either side keeping a clean sheet.
Potential match-winners - Mbappe (France), De Bruyne (Belgium)
Croatia v England is also likely to be tight, and I don't expect either team to dominate. Both sides have had the majority of possession in their games prior to this one, and with the likes of Modric and Rakitić (of Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively), it's not difficult to see why Croatia have been in charge of the ball.
England have had great success from dead-ball situations, and even though the secret is out, I still think this will continue - no amount of training is going to stop these chances coming along. The first goal against Sweden the other day was England's 8th set-piece goal, and looking at the Croatian defense, and how they have performed in the air, I'm hoping to see that statistic rise on Wednesday.
Potential match-winners - Modric (Croatia), Maguire (England)
My predictions
| Score | Team | vs | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | France | vs | Belgium | 2 |
| 1 | Croatia | vs | England | 2 |
Both games are too close to call, and so I've gone for a score draw in the first, and chosen to side with my heart for the England game. Luck, an error, a header from a free-kick, or just a top class goal will separate the teams.
Fingers-crossed, and come on England!! ⚽
Cheers
Asher
Congrats on the win against Sweden - well deserved ! Hoping to see England be Belgium in the Final !
Cheers!
I'll take a Belgium England final right now thank you! :D
The Battle for Brexit - taken out on the footie pitch!
Oh snap! It’s so exciting being in London! Everyone is so happy about the World Cup!
Yes so I hear! Tell me some more about it? Are there flags everywhere? And are you going to be in England to watch the game on Wednesday? If so, great timing - it will be epic!
ohhhh! I will be! I'll need to find a place to go watch it! hehe!
People keep singing the song "coming home..." something like that! LOL
Many goals expected from you, let's see!
As I said yesterday, I really think Croatia will score, so that is a very likely score to happen (1-2)
Yes I'm expecting goals!
I can see all the teams scoring, which will be great for the neutral but perhaps not for the fans of the teams :D
If we are able to reach the final I would prefer to play it against England! So I will cheer for England!
ha!
If the teams meet again perhaps it will be England's 'turn' to win :D
I must admit I haven't seen a single match of France. Stupid coincidence, because I've seen a lot. So I have no idea what we're up against tomorrow.
I'd prefer to see both Belgium and England win, so those two teams can play the final game. (At least I know that we can beat England, if luck is on our side ;0) )
They have slowly improved, and really took control of the game against Argentina in the 2nd half. I thought the result flattered Argentina a little.
It's going to be a great game that one, I think there will be goals by both teams.
The Belgium England group game was a non-event really, both teams changed 8-9 players and so I wouldn't use that as the guide.
When I compare teams against England, I look at the players on the oppisition side that I would want to have in Englands starting 11. Hazard and De Bruyne are certainly 2 I would choose, but I think the rest are fairly well matched.
I'd take Modric and Rakitic from Croatia, but the other 9 I would not change - this makes me think England have as good a chance as any of the 4 left in.
Good luck!
It will for sure be a very exciting week :0)
Belgium & England come to final after semi's.
Then after Belgium win the championship. Every semi final countries are Europeans. So don't worry England loss :(
You could be spot on here :)
I won't worry, perhaps just a little disappointed!
Lol.... Ours are similar.... But being pissed by the English, I have them losing by two goals :|. Croatia will win the cup, England will finish 4th
I cant see more than 1 goal separating either game and think all the teams are closely matched.
Looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds :)
I'll tell you what @abh12345, I'll support England for the semis, then support the 'African team' of France to win the Final...lol
haha :)
The African influence in the French side, along with the flair and 'know how' of players like Griezmann (who's Father is Gernan :) ) makes France the favorites in my opinion.
It's a deal! :D
I think Croatia will win the final. Sorry for non cheering England @abh12345
It's ok, but if England win the semi, will you side with the 3 lions for the final? :)
My support is for England and France. Well this season was one of the tough seasons as the big teams got eliminated at the very early stage but hoping that either Engalnd or France would be winning the title
I would take that as the final too 😊