kpain16

Well, I'm not really the "that's racist" guy, but this screams like latent racism to me. According to him, only certain European and South American countries are allowed to win the WC. African countries can not only **** off, but they devalue the competition. So interesting... If he just said he likes the big guys winning, that would have been just an opition. This sounds more than that.

Never heard of the guy, but if he really said that he said more about himself than anything else. I get it that not everyone supports the underdog, and that's fine. But saying that the competition would be devalued is elitist, broad-minded and borderline racist.

I also found it interesting how the ex-Yu football, especially the Croatian one nowdays, develops technically impeccable players yet they're taught from early days to ditch skill moves and excessive dribbling for team play. It's considered useless and you're basically discouraged to do it. One pass makes more useful space then you running with the ball kind of a thing. We had some dribbling legends though, like Prosinečki, but in general it's not that common. We do have that you're not larger than the team mentality. If you're not fully in, you're thrown out (Rebić, Kalinić, etc). Whenever I see Argentinians basically crying when Messi has the ball, defending and worshipping him as an religious icon, I can't help but realise how different that is to our football in general. Modrić is considered a legend and our best player of all time, but no one thinks he's almost a religious icon. A few bad games and he's called out. Maybe Hajduk fans have somewhat similar with Livaja nowdays, but also to a lesser degree. A few bad games and he'll be called a fraud like anyone else. In sports, only the absolute top is considered good enough over here. Croatian NBA legend Toni Kukoč once said, when he used to walk on the streets of Split, he would hear people commenting when passing by that they would win a 1-on-1 against him. And it wasn't a joke. It's a specific mentality that either makes you a Halilović or Modrić, depending on some other stuff. If you don't make it to the top, no one cares about you.

Proper excited for this match. Bring on the drama.

Hurting the entertainment factor Brazil scores in the ET, Croatia equalizes incredibly and wins on penalties. Argentina 2-0 up, Netherlands scores a great header and equalizes in the 100. minute with a ridiculous free kick combination. Morocco outplays a huge favourite and run their hearts to the ground for their country. Thats proper entertainment, something only football can deliver out of all sports. Have your skill moves and useless tricks at club football level.

Croatia - Morocco final would be a Hollywood, over the top science fiction.

They will be diving for the entire game until they get a penalty.

Portuguese players diving shocker.

Since a nation, out of 7 possible WCs we were at 6. Out of these 6, we went to the semis 3 times. What bloody fading generations. We almost reach the semis more than not.

Oh my. Incredible. We're always best when we're written off. Sounds like a cliche, but that's in our blood. In every sport or whatever. Mentality is underrated. All I can say.

Dinamo dynamic duo.

Sure. No problem with that. But as GunmaN said, just look it from our POV. Not like we're Germany.

Ridiculous. We should have went with guns blazing just to entertain the neutrals. How do you play for penalties ffs? We're cautious but who wouldn't be?

Yes, should have played like S.Korea and get battered.

Don't think so. He's said to be wanted by Real Madrid now.

For me, one of the best CBs in the world. Doesn't have the reputation of one, and this is his spotlight. What Haaland is up front, he's at the back. A monster that has no apprent flaws.

Dalić picked the squad to bore Brazil to death, it seems. Midfielders for days, without an actual striker.

Brazilian team decent as well.

He's not wrong, is he

We have Oršić. Can play a striker, really quick, great finisher and long distance shooter, scored (hat tricks) on big occasions, ... And he's totally dismissed by Dalić. He'd rather play Lovren up front.

I expect Brazil to go through, but we're not S.Korea. We have enough quality, experience and general self-belief to make it really hard fot them. Most of our players play at the highest of stages, some of them played the WC final and regularly play CL finals, etc. If Brazil walks over us, fair play. They're the first favourite of the competition then IMO. Not convinced by Argentina at all. Had them as favourites before the competition, but what they're showing isn't convincing. Netherlands isn't convincing either, but I think they can take the win here. for some reason. But it'sa 50-50 tie. Morocco are tough as nails. Conceded only once, barely, and as shown they're mentally strong. Most of their players are experienced European-born professionals, some of them playing at the likes of PSG and Bayern. Really like last night's Portugal, but not expecting this to be a walkover. Still, Portugal should win.

Compared to whom? Certainly not gonna win it, but they're in the QF of the world cup after just beating Spain. Get off your high horse.

Don't think I've seen a better game by Joao Felix than this one tonight. Needs to find a better club ASAP. Superb talent.

This might bite me in the future, but I'm not a fan of Pedri and Gavi either. Pedri is obviously technically superb, but I'm just not buying the hype. Gavi shouldn't be nowhere near Spain's first team IMO.