Would have been nice to see these 2 play 1 match that actually mattered, given that this is their 2nd meeting of the Cup.
Being third is better than being fourth so im happy. All in all it's been a great wc for us. Loved the way we played and the way we used our advantages(poor japan). We showed some weakness mainly in our defensive game that im certain we will be able to improve.
Tomorrows match will be tough for both teams, I'd just like to see a close game, a fitting climax to this wonderful event, at least from my rooting perspective! Gotta keep the winning feeling going; WS w/the Astros; 6A Boy's Soccer State & National titles w/my MIGHTY ELSIK RAMS in April ; and now fingers crossed Croatia! France is a great team, it will be a hard fought match!
What were Croatia's odds to win the Cup at the start? When was the last (ever?) underdog that seemingly came out of nowhere to win?
Great question! I looked and Spain in 2010 jumps out but much like Croatia if you know the players and have watched them grow over the past few major events, Euro 06 and 16 both teams are peaking at the exact perfect time. France are very good but are they too young to beat an older more savvy team in Croatia? Edit; here are the starting odds; Croatia @ 30-1 http://www.espn.com/chalk/story/_/id/20991480/soccer-odds-win-2018-fifa-world-cup
I'm predicting a 3-1 France win. I just can't imagine a scenario where Croatia has the juice for an entire 90 against a team that likes to run such as France does. The errors that their outside backs got away with against England won't happen against France. M'Bappe is playing on a level beyond anyone else right now and he'll take care of the plays that Sterling didn't. I think it'll be 1-1 at the half but then France will put it on them.
Nice. Spain doesn't strike me as so much of an underdog as Croatia does this year, but I admittedly only follow Intl soccer when there's a tournament on. I'm all in for tomorrow. Vive la République vs. Vive la Résistance
Could Modric win the Balloon of Gold if Croatia win the World Cup? Maybe. Futbol people are talking. He just keeps looking smaller and smaller after every match, tho, because Croatia have effectively played an extra game. So much rested talent on France vs so many battle tested Croats. Will Pogba dab on em? Will Giroud strike anything on target? Will Luka vanish after giving it all? So sad that's it's ending tomorrow.
Spain won the 08 Euro and in 2010 were clear favourites, having set two world records from 07-09 (35 matches in a row unbeaten and 15 victories in a row). So their title wasn't a surprise, especially given how Barca dominated the football world at that time. Looking up the world cup history, there haven't really been any real surprises, as only top nations won. I think the only true underdog story was Germany in 1954 (Wonder of Bern), coming into the tournament as clear underdogs after the 2nd World War and having Uruguay, Hungary, Brazil, Spain and England as favourites. @Buck Turgidson
Could happen, seeing how he was crucial for a Real CL title and now Croatia. Would remind me of Cannavaro winning in 2006 and Xavi plus Iniesta placing 2nd/3rd in 2010.
