Dunno now. I said pretournament that england had a lovely run form group to QF. I had expected germany not sweden in QF so once germany went out i thought england could progress to this point. having seen croatia look extremely leggy v russia and having seen them defend set piece by sitting very deep and not man marking at all you have to give england a chance don't you? 8/10 goals set pieces thus far. all the pens coming form fouls in the box on corners. It's a toss up imo. The croatia forwards will suit england defence as well. However... for the final... neither teams attacks suit the england style. both teams are very tough. I can't see really someone i'd perfer.
England definitely have a chance but I think midfields are extremely important and theirs is much better than ours.
please log in to view this image Van Dijk: I can improve in all areas - and I will Virgil van Dijk is confident of building on his impressive first half-season with Liverpool as he insisted: "I can improve in every aspect of the game." The Netherlands international was an imperious performer across his 22 appearances for the Reds after joining from Southampton on January 1. Along with compatriot Georginio Wijnaldum, the centre-back returned to Melwood for pre-season today – his 27th birthday – and took fledgling steps towards the new campaign. His aims for 2018-19 are simple: to be even better than last term. “Like I said when I arrived, I want to achieve everything possible with this beautiful club,” Van Dijk told Liverpoolfc.com after completing a programme of stretching exercises, lactate test and gym session at the training ground. “We’re going to work our socks off and do everything possible to make it happen this season. We were very close to silverware but obviously not close enough. “I can improve in any aspect of the game. At the moment, it’s getting back to full fitness, making sure I’m getting better and stronger than I was before. I will work every day and do everything possible and no doubt it will happen.” https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/306474-van-dijk-liverpool-fc-improve-season-ambitions
It is. But equally they looked tired. Then of course modric burst to life in extra time which annoyed me as if he had it in the tank why didn't he use it in the 90? Anyway.... i think the fitness thing will bite someone. My thing was having seen their two forwards (who suit englands CBS as they are not the fastest or most mobile) and having seen how they defend corners and frees... england have to have some chance.
Both England and France had won the world cup once, England 1966 France more recent 1998 ,Belgium has never won it. I think England are going to have better opportunities against Belgium.
A very good performance all round from England, with special mentions for Pickford, Maguire, Hendo and Trippier. Sterling pants again, but he did keep trying.
One keeper made three crucial saves, the other didn't make any although he did concede two goals. It wasn't as one sided as people think imo
It was paced like a pre season friendly. If England needed they had gears to go through but played within themselves.
England were not troubled for most of game but a team was are bang average. Save from berg was really good. A poor chance to give away but it was a very strong save and IMO crucial. Unlike the colombia game england didn't make a bad error and once first goal went in off that set piece it was game on.
every game this far has suited england down to the ground. Colombia tried to make it a kicking match. Sweden were very much familiar territory. the two group games were league 1 level opponenets and belgium reserves v england reserves as pointless. Croatia have looked tried. Their group games were better than knockout but i expect croatia to have more possession of the ball but they have two big forwards that won't trouble england in terms of pace so again familiar territory. its all positive enough. England just need to keep doing what they have been doing on set piece IMO. Croatia sat back on top of own keeper from frees and barely man marked from corners.
