[Stairs]

Chris Waddle on Radio 5 - Brilliant. Just love him

[hibeejim21]

Guy mowbray is a total xxxx

Easy win for england against a swedish side that never got going. They still managed 3 good chances to score though.

[WBA-Josh]

Both Russia and Croatia have put out attacking teams so it will hopefully be a good match with both teams trying to win and no vodka truck parking by the Russians.

Russia have gone back to 4231 with Cheryshev replacing Zhirkov.

Akinfeev
Fernandes - Kutepov - Ignashevich - Kudryashov
Zobnin - Kuzyayev
Samedov - Golovin - Cheryshev
Dzyuba

Croatia have dropped Brozovic and replaced him with Kramaric in a switch from 433 to 4231.

Subasic
Vrsaljko - Lovren - Vida - Strinic
Modric - Rakitic
Rebic - Kramaric - Perisic
Mandzukic

I expect the key battle to be down Russia’s left and Croatia’s right. Cheryshev vs Vrsaljko and Rebic vs Kudryashov.

[Arcane Astral Aeons]

great goal Russia 1-0

[Beefy 1965]

Russia one up
Good goal

[BaggieMan]

Nothin’ to fear from these two teams.
I reckon ‘ercule Poirot and ‘is mucker ‘astings ! Sacre Bleu! ?

[WBA-Josh]

Wow. Consecutive penalty shoot out for both teams.

It hasn’t been the best game but it has been gripping. I’ve been disappointed with Croatia, I expected much better from them tonight and against Denmark.

---

And Croatia are through to face England. Rakitic with the winning penalty.

Well done Russia for getting this far. No one expected them to get out of the group let alone be a penalty shoot out away from the semi-final.



So on Wednesday it is England vs Croatia which should be a close match. Croatia really have to improve for it, they were very good in the Group Stage but have now struggled past Denmark and Russia. Modric, Rakitic, Perisic and Rebic need to be at their best against England.

England should play their normal game in possession but defensively need to sit back and let Croatia have the ball. Croatia have been at their best against teams who are more open, that’s how they hammered Argentina.

France vs Belgium

England vs Croatia

It’s going to be good.

[Arcane Astral Aeons]

not a great game
Croatia were not at their best
but give credit to the Russians
they didnt give them the space
considering they wasnt expected to get out of their group
they have done well

have to say 2 of the worst penalties i have seen in a while from Russia

so onto the Semi finals
should be good

still think(after today) Croatia will have too much for England

[hibeejim21]

Interesting game ahead, croatia have 2 or 3 genuinely world class players but their overall play looks very slow at times. They were also dead on their feet afterwards tonight and have had 2 games go to extra time and penalties.

England will never have a better chance to make the final.

[Dingle-Dingle]

Vladimir Putin has just announced that Russia are NOT out of the World Cup.
Apparently the tanks roll at 6AM to annexe Croatia.

DD