Saw a stat that England only had 5 shots on target in the knock out stage. Staggering that a team with so little creativity got pretty close to the final. Fair play to them.
Knockout Stage - Final | Vive la France
Absolutely gutted. No doubt Croatia were the better team.
I'll probably get told I'm just a one eyed England fan but i thought Croatia got away with a number of pretty questionable shoulder hits. Particularly on Kane. There's shoulder to shoulder but i thought these went beyond that.
England could have had a couple of corner kicks near the end too which was a shame they weren't given.
Should be a pretty interesting final. Hopefully France dick them.
Yeah I thought the Croatians got away with a lot. Im no England fan, generally support whoever is playing them but they have been great to watch this world cup, very very little in the way of diving and histrionics and they just went out and gave it everything. Really wanted them to make the final, I think England v France would have been end to end entertaining. Do hope because of they way they approached playing in terms of honesty and integrity that they do get some reward in the near future.
Well deserved win by Croatia, they are just so much more hungry and they have super solid players.
England had just two shots on goal that sums it up for me.
And two shots?
1) the Goal
2) the save ave from Kane
3) Lingard from the edge of the box
4) Header cleared off the line
1) yes
2) offside, maybe not on review.But for statistical purposes offside.
3)wide
4)yes
The glaring shortcoming for the England team is a truly class midfield playmaker.
The Kane effort was onto the post, which technically makes it off target.
Just a second or two before that he had a shot on target.
Needs to be in French and Croatian.
"Cherie, tu veux sortir pour dejeuner dimanche?"
"Ç'est très sympa, merci cheri"
"Bien pcq les mecs vont visiter chez nous pour la finale de la mondiale, et ils ne l'aiment pas quand t'es presente"
"putain de merde tu rigoles ou quoi?!?!"
The glaring shortcoming for the England team is a truly class midfield playmaker.
Has been the case since forever.
Well deserved win by Croatia, they are just so much more hungry and they have super solid players.
England had just two shots on goal that sums it up for me.
And two shots?
1) the Goal
2) the save ave from Kane
3) Lingard from the edge of the box
4) Header cleared off the line
Sorry, got it wrong stats said 5.
The glaring shortcoming for the England team is a truly class midfield playmaker.
Has been the case since forever.
Glenn Hoddle
Gazza
The Kane effort was onto the post, which technically makes it off target.
He literally had his shot seconds before that saved by Subasic
They could've at least changed the network to one that's actually in the UK.
The Kane effort was onto the post, which technically makes it off target.
He literally had his shot seconds before that saved by Subasic
Trippier's free kick would have made Beckham proud. It was supurb!!
The glaring shortcoming for the England team is a truly class midfield playmaker.
Has been the case since forever.
Glenn Hoddle
Gazza
The Kane effort was onto the post, which technically makes it off target.
He literally had his shot seconds before that saved by Subasic
It seems likely VAR woulda ruled it ok if he'd put it away
Trippier and Maguire have been stand outs. Lots to be positive about from an England point of view. Need a creative midfielder though, and need to be more positive when going one up.
The Kane effort was onto the post, which technically makes it off target.
He literally had his shot seconds before that saved by Subasic
Yes. So there was no 'shot'
I have mixed emotions about today's game: firstly, fair play to Croatia they were the better team in the second half and deserved it. Think they may struggle now v France, but winning three games after extra time is outstanding: sometimes wasn't pretty (especially v Denmark ) but they ' found a way '. Well done.
From an England point of view, we had the opportunity to win it in the first half but couldn't capitalise. Croatia did, so end of...
We finally got exposed through central midfield(which was most England fans fear pre-match), and some of the post tournament debate will be around the non-selection of Wilshere and Shelvey. Southgate obviously didn't feel Wilshere could last throughout the tournament without pulling up lame. Given Wilshere's injury problems, it was probably the correct call. However, IMO once he was ruled out, a place should have been made available to Shelvey. He's relatively untested at international level (6 caps ) but worth the gamble, especially since England in effect had 6 full backs in the squad (Rose, Young, Trippier, Alexander-Arnold,Walker and as a utility, Delph ). Surely jettisoning one of these (probably Alexander-Arnold ) and taking Shelvey would have at least offered the possibility of play making ability, if even off the bench. Found that puzzling...
As it was, central midfield was our Achilles heel; we knew it and so did our opposition, but only Croatia had the ability to fully exploit it. Must say I was disappointed in Lingard: he's what I term a luxury player: has fleeting moments of class' but frequently fades or is invisible.That miss in the first half will haunt him and rightly so: he should have buried it. IMO Loftus-Cheek is the 'coming man' and will takeover from someone; he did well in his limited opportunities and I was disappointed that he wasn't used in the knockout phase
Thought England lacked a certain directness in the final third predominately around the edge/inside of the area: Alli, Sterling & Lingard kept playing tappy tappy when the possibility was there to shoot. I can't see any of the three having good scoring records for England; it doesn't seem to be in their game...
Maguire, Stones, Pickford & Trippier have been excellent throughout.
Yep, those 4 names would be my pick too. Trippier & Pickford for certain. Stepped up a level on the "Big Stage".
Yep, those 4 names would be my pick too. Trippier & Pickford for certain. Stepped up a level on the "Big Stage".
Stones was very poor for second goal. Caught flat footed. Defensive third, England didn't have controlled possession, he needs to be doing a job, not going for a stroll
Yes he was at fault for the second goal, but how do you judge a player's tournament? By the one mistake or his performances over the 6 games?
Well England fans in Russia certainly showed why a lot of the world hates them with their thuggery after they lost.
No surprise to people who have seen how many England fan resort to violence time after time very quickly when they lose.
Yea, my best friends are English, but my good friends from England also agree that they hate all the violent idiots.
There is no defending them.
Lots of countries got knocked out, but English fans had to be violent when they got knocked out. Surprise, surprise.
Yes he was at fault for the second goal, but how do you judge a player's tournament? By the one mistake or his performances over the 6 games?
Also got off a good header on target
Big party at El Graps tonight. LOL
Really really pleased that Croatia won that game. Its so good to see a tiny nation of 4 million people producing a team like that. They have played with considerable skill all tournament.
As for England.....well there is an old saying that England bumbles through a World Cup and gets eliminated by the first decent team they meet. So it came to pass in this tournament. Once again they lack quality, tactical acumen and skill to trouble decent sides at the WC.
Also as a neutral it is especially pleasing to see England go home. The unbelievable arrogance of the "" its coming home campaign"" got up the noses of most neutrals. Right from when Spain went out the English media and many fans went into overdrive about how they were going to cruise into the final because they were better than all the other sides. There was talk even before the Colombia game about whether Southgate and Kane should get knighted. There were plans for a victory parade.
Luca Modric was quoted after the match how England arrogance highly motivated his team.
You can see why many people hate England. The fact is they are not very good at football. A little bit more respect for your opposition and a lot more humility would help.
Big party at El Graps tonight. LOL
Really really pleased that Croatia won that game. Its so good to see a tiny nation of 4 million people producing a team like that. They have played with considerable skill all tournament.
As for England.....well there is an old saying that England bumbles through a World Cup and gets eliminated by the first decent team they meet. So it came to pass in this tournament. Once again they lack quality, tactical acumen and skill to trouble decent sides at the WC.
Also as a neutral it is especially pleasing to see England go home. The unbelievable arrogance of the "" its coming home campaign"" got up the noses of most neutrals. Right from when Spain went out the English media and many fans went into overdrive about how they were going to cruise into the final because they were better than all the other sides. There was talk even before the Colombia game about whether Southgate and Kane should get knighted. There were plans for a victory parade.
Luca Modric was quoted after the match how England arrogance highly motivated his team.
You can see why many people hate England. The fact is they are not very good at football. A little bit more respect for your opposition and a lot more humility would help.
I find it strange how people can claim to be neutral but seem to derive pleasure from the English Football team losing. As an actual neutral, I thought the English coach and the players were professional, respectable, likeable and fairly humble. Compare the muted celebrations after the win over Sweden with most other teams actions upon winning a knockout round for example.
So maybe a subset of the fans are dicks and the English media are a little excitable, is that different to any other football mad nation? The Spanish and German media assumed their teams would breeze through the group stage and early knockout rounds. I know a few England supporters and they were quietly hopeful more than anything I would term arrogant.
Big party at El Graps tonight. LOL
Really really pleased that Croatia won that game. Its so good to see a tiny nation of 4 million people producing a team like that. They have played with considerable skill all tournament.
As for England.....well there is an old saying that England bumbles through a World Cup and gets eliminated by the first decent team they meet. So it came to pass in this tournament. Once again they lack quality, tactical acumen and skill to trouble decent sides at the WC.
Also as a neutral it is especially pleasing to see England go home. The unbelievable arrogance of the "" its coming home campaign"" got up the noses of most neutrals. Right from when Spain went out the English media and many fans went into overdrive about how they were going to cruise into the final because they were better than all the other sides. There was talk even before the Colombia game about whether Southgate and Kane should get knighted. There were plans for a victory parade.
Luca Modric was quoted after the match how England arrogance highly motivated his team.
You can see why many people hate England. The fact is they are not very good at football. A little bit more respect for your opposition and a lot more humility would help.
Think they said the England papers.
Wish Croatia all the best for the final, but i do think France will have far too much in the tank and will win comfortably. There is a reason France are heavy favourites.
3rd place game should be a bit of fun as well. Good chance for England to go out on a high after a positive tournament.
Big party at El Graps tonight. LOL
Really really pleased that Croatia won that game. Its so good to see a tiny nation of 4 million people producing a team like that. They have played with considerable skill all tournament.
As for England.....well there is an old saying that England bumbles through a World Cup and gets eliminated by the first decent team they meet. So it came to pass in this tournament. Once again they lack quality, tactical acumen and skill to trouble decent sides at the WC.
Also as a neutral it is especially pleasing to see England go home. The unbelievable arrogance of the "" its coming home campaign"" got up the noses of most neutrals. Right from when Spain went out the English media and many fans went into overdrive about how they were going to cruise into the final because they were better than all the other sides. There was talk even before the Colombia game about whether Southgate and Kane should get knighted. There were plans for a victory parade.
Luca Modric was quoted after the match how England arrogance highly motivated his team.
You can see why many people hate England. The fact is they are not very good at football. A little bit more respect for your opposition and a lot more humility would help.
Ok I'm fairly certain the whole "its coming home" thing was all a bit tongue in cheek so if you took that seriously then that's on you.
I don't know that i read one article stating England expected to cruise into the final.
Literally everything i read was about how surprised and pleased fans were they had made it as far as they did.
Didn't hear any reference before the Colombia game about Southgate and Kane getting knighted
And I don't know if its a 'fact they're not good at football'. I mean they did make the Semi Finals at a World Cup after all.
Southgate deserves a lot of credit as well. The way he manages this team and handles himself is with great humility and professionalism. He's done what a number of others before him couldn't do. Create a togetherness in the squad, and drop big name players who do not deserve their spot. He still needs to find a creative midfielder, and he does need some work on his in game management, but there is a lot to be positive about.
Southgate deserves a lot of credit as well. The way he manages this team and handles himself is with great humility and professionalism. He's done what a number of others before him couldn't do. Create a togetherness in the squad, and drop big name players who do not deserve their spot. He still needs to find a creative midfielder, and he does need some work on his in game management, but there is a lot to be positive about.
England, the team and the coach got a lot of praise for of all this you mentioned, but this should be basic football 101. I don't understand the hype about the team, maybe most are just happy to have a decent team at all. I thought England played pretty average football compared what Belgium and France showed. It will be interesting to see how they will develop in the next four years.
Well fair play to Croatia as they fully deserved their win. England started really well and looked like they had the game in the bag and then for whatever reason England failed to capitalise on their first half domination (thread domination?) and then in the 2nd half England were a mere shadow of their former selves.
On the contrary Croatia started out looking fairly tame but in the 2nd half they really had the measure of England and were rightful winners. Hopefully they can be the Rainbow Warrior bomb squad in the final.
As for all the England haters reveling in Croatias win, I ask you this: why are you so obsessed with point scoring against England fans? The whole "It's coming home" thing was typical English bravado and was totally tongue in cheek but I think that point flew right over your collective heads.
The bitterness on here reminds me of the way All Black fans behave tbh: arrogant, humourless bunch who simply take everything too seriously.
Southgate deserves a lot of credit as well. The way he manages this team and handles himself is with great humility and professionalism. He's done what a number of others before him couldn't do. Create a togetherness in the squad, and drop big name players who do not deserve their spot. He still needs to find a creative midfielder, and he does need some work on his in game management, but there is a lot to be positive about.
England, the team and the coach got a lot of praise for of all this you mentioned, but this should be basic football 101. I don't understand the hype about the team, maybe most are just happy to have a decent team at all. I thought England played pretty average football compared what Belgium and France showed. It will be interesting to see how they will develop in the next four years.
Well they are a young team, and i have said there is definitely room for improvement in multiple areas. They have gone further than a number of other "big" nations, several of whom didn't even qualify this time. So maybe the basic football 101 is not so easy.
As for England.....well there is an old saying that England bumbles through a World Cup and gets eliminated by the first decent team they meet. So it came to pass in this tournament. Once again they lack quality, tactical acumen and skill to trouble decent sides at the WC.
I've been thinking about this point since yesterday.
Did England really exceed expectations? I guess they did in terms of making it further into the tournament, but can’t help but think that is because their side of the draw opened up so much. So instead of playing a team of Croatia’s quality in the R16 they only hit a quality team in the semis.
Looking at their results, most of them should have been expected, all things equal. I read somewhere they didn't beat a team above them in the rankings (noting how flawed they are) nor a team that was the bookies favourites.
- Beat Panama and Tunisia as expected.
- Lost to Belgium with both sides playing their B team.
- Drew with Colombia. Again they seems about right.
- Beat Sweden. Seems about right.
- Lost to Croatia.
I reckon Colombia should be kicking themselves they went so defensive again England. They could quite easily have been in the final if they weren't so scared.
Simply the fact that they didn't buckle under pressure, and achieved what you would expect in those games, is a big step forward for England.
A previous poster's point about Shelvey is something i would like discussed. He always seems to me to make an impact and wouldve given the coach a different option when one was needed against Croatia
Big party at El Graps tonight. LOL
Really really pleased that Croatia won that game. Its so good to see a tiny nation of 4 million people producing a team like that. They have played with considerable skill all tournament.
As for England.....well there is an old saying that England bumbles through a World Cup and gets eliminated by the first decent team they meet. So it came to pass in this tournament. Once again they lack quality, tactical acumen and skill to trouble decent sides at the WC.
Also as a neutral it is especially pleasing to see England go home. The unbelievable arrogance of the "" its coming home campaign"" got up the noses of most neutrals. Right from when Spain went out the English media and many fans went into overdrive about how they were going to cruise into the final because they were better than all the other sides. There was talk even before the Colombia game about whether Southgate and Kane should get knighted. There were plans for a victory parade.
Luca Modric was quoted after the match how England arrogance highly motivated his team.
You can see why many people hate England. The fact is they are not very good at football. A little bit more respect for your opposition and a lot more humility would help.
Think they said the England papers.
Correct. Modric specifically said "the press and the pundits".
People who think the It's Coming Home stuff was actually about people believing they were going to win the tournament need to take a look at themselves. I live here and didn't meet a single person who actually thought they'd win the tournament, even after the draw opened up. Even going into the semi-final, people talking about the final were mainly about saying who they would lose to in the final.
The song, the tag line, the memes etc were simply about England having something to get excited about for the first time since Euro 96. And it was very English in it's self-deprecation. It was in many ways the English, and I include myself in that for the sake of this discussion, taking the mickey out of themselves.