The_jagster Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 (edited) The first quarter final is an early start for Brazil, as they take on Croatia to see who will take on The Netherlands or Argentina in the semi-final. Previous quarter finals: Croatia: This is their third appearance in this round, and they have progressed on both previous occasions. In 1998 they downed Germany 3-0, then knocked out hosts Russia on pens in 2018 after a 2-2 draw. 1998 was the last time Croatia won a knockout match in normal time in a major tournament. Brazil: They have played 14 quarter final matches, including a replay in 1938, although they have not done so well recently, with many defeats to European nations once they reach the last 8. A 2-1 loss to Belgium in 2018 was preceded by a 2-1 victory over Colombia in 2014, but they did beat England in 2002 - their victory over Germany in the final was the last time they beat a European team in a World Cup knockout match. Previous meetings? Two world cup meetings in the group stages. A Kaká goal was enough to separate the sides in 2006, in the opening match of the 2014 World Cup Neymar (twice) and Oscar got themselves on the scoresheet after Croatia had taken the lead. Of the starters on that day, Thiago Silva, Dani Alves, Neymar, Lovren, Perisic, Modric and Kovacic can all feature today, Brozovic only made an appearance as a sub in 2014 and Modric was an unused sub in 2006. (FIFA vids don't embed so you'll have to make do with unofficial highlights of mixed quality) Edited December 9, 2022 by The_jagster Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiggins Top Boys Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 come on Croatia! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob1981 Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Let’s have Brazil in the final. Forget this talk about easy runs. Beat France, beat Portugal, beat Brazil. Then there can be no doubting Gareth’s achievement. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Just now, Rob1981 said: Let’s have Brazil in the final. Forget this talk about easy runs. Beat France, beat Portugal, beat Brazil. Then there can be no doubting Gareth’s achievement. At this point I'm not sure if you're bantering or actually believe in what you're writing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob1981 Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Not actually sure myself at this point 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CFuller Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Croatia, aka Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. They got lucky against Japan. The waiting for this match has been the hardest part, and I think Croatia will breakdown here. Expecting a lot of (South) American goals. Okay, no more lame puns, I promise. Brazil to win. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_jagster Posted December 9, 2022 Author Share Posted December 9, 2022 I think the worst thing for the neutral would be for Croatia to battle their way to a victory on pens, either by keeping a clean sheet or managing a set piece goal. As I said in another thread, I expect this to go the way of the Switzerland game against Brazil, a technically competent team unable to create anything and the question being whether Brazil can break them down. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigcwwe Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 HERE....HERE....HERE WE GO! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Dalić picked the squad to bore Brazil to death, it seems. Midfielders for days, without an actual striker. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CFuller Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Micah Richards says that Croatia have that "never die" attitude. Wait, they're immortal? Would explain why Modric and Lovren are still going, to be fair... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnterUsernameHere Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Want Argentina to win the whole thing but it's never a bad thing for a tournament if Brazil put on a show. Hope they win today. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 (edited) 12 minutes ago, kpain16 said: Dalić picked the squad to bore Brazil to death, it seems. Midfielders for days, without an actual striker. Vicente Dal Bosque. Not particularly hyped, but whenever it's Brazil-Croatia, this thing has to be brought up: One of greatest anthem performances at big competitions. Tear in Kranjčar's eye etc. Edited December 9, 2022 by GunmaN1905 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weezer Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Don’t see why you need that many midfielders when Brozovic counts for 3. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMLF Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Brazil to win 2-0, then beat Argentina in the semis then beat France in the final. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob1981 Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Michael Oliver Must be doing something right. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_jagster Posted December 9, 2022 Author Share Posted December 9, 2022 You could literally see Richarlison debating whether to make more of it there Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMLF Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 4 minutes ago, Rob1981 said: Michael Oliver Must be doing something right. English referee for Brazil’s game, Brazilian referee for England’s game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skybluedave Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Brazil with a 4-1-1-4 formation Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnterUsernameHere Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Raphinha is so wasteful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ty Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Has anyone got a weird noise on the game? It’s a background noise, kinda sounds like the wife is using a hairdryer upstairs. It’s really aggravating me but it’s definitely the TV. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 What does Raphinha has on Tite? Easily their worst player in this WC yet a constant in starting eleven... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Brazil actually has noone playing in midfield. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_jagster Posted December 9, 2022 Author Share Posted December 9, 2022 (edited) Ever reliable Perisic mishitting it Hard to anticipate though Edited December 9, 2022 by The_jagster Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darius1998 Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 I'm not sure Casemiro as a sole midfielder is going to work against any good teams. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMLF Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 It seems Brazil wants to keep the recent tradition of getting eliminated in the quarterfinals. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnterUsernameHere Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 2 minutes ago, Darius1998 said: I'm not sure Casemiro as a sole midfielder is going to work against any good teams. Good timing, he's stupidly lost the ball twice in two minutes since this post. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weezer Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 3 minutes ago, GunmaN1905 said: Brazil actually has noone playing in midfield. Just looks that way because Croatia is all midfield 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_jagster Posted December 9, 2022 Author Share Posted December 9, 2022 I thought it was just bad ball giveaways from Brazil but Modric just turned and ran 50 metres unopposed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 That would've been a red in regular matches. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CFuller Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Could've been a red for Danilo there... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darius1998 Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 This might be the best Juranovic has played in this World Cup. Doesn't look as nervous and restricted as in previous matches. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthCoastRed Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 This bodes well, had a nap already 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Moores Mum Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 I've only just noticed the refs have their name on the back of their shirts... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_jagster Posted December 9, 2022 Author Share Posted December 9, 2022 Modric getting praised for 5 yard passes Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigcwwe Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 The Modric/Kovacic/Brozovic trio are stamina monsters. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weezer Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 This is going to penalties isn’t it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Adam Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Watching the organisation of Croatia when Brazil have possession is something else. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_jagster Posted December 9, 2022 Author Share Posted December 9, 2022 1 minute ago, Mr Adam said: Watching the organisation of Croatia when Brazil have possession is something else. File this as "making your own entertainment" 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Adam Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Is Juranovic always this good. Playing like the best right back in the world Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew_ Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Funny looking head injury... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 4 minutes ago, Weezer said: This is going to penalties isn’t it? How many beers you've got? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnterUsernameHere Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 5 minutes ago, Mr Adam said: Watching the organisation of Croatia when Brazil have possession is something else. It probably says more about me, I'm a bit of a cynic, but I'd say it's been terrible by Brazil rather than great by Croatia. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Adam Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Just now, EnterUsernameHere said: It probably says more about me, I'm a bit of a cynic, but I'd say it's been terrible by Brazil rather than great by Croatia. It can be both of course Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnterUsernameHere Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Just now, Mr Adam said: It can be both of course It can yeah. I don't really get Brazil's gameplan here though, Casemiro has often been their furthest forward midfielder and has stunk the place out doing so. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 (edited) The definition of a team that plays up (or down) to opposition's level. If we only had one pacey winger on the right, I think winning wouldn't be out of question. Brazil looks like a team from 30 years ago. Defenders that don't participate in the build-up as soon as the ball crosses half-line, midfield that doesn't exist and half a dozen forwards. If Tite doesn't change his approach drastically, they have no chance to win it all. One of the forwards has to go out for Bruno or even Fred. With today's setup, Portugal would destroy them for example. 7 minutes ago, Mr Adam said: Is Juranovic always this good. Playing like the best right back in the world No, this is the match that sells him to mid-table EPL club. But I don't think they'll take the bait, since he's at Celtic and his qualities are well known. Edited December 9, 2022 by GunmaN1905 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weezer Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 5 minutes ago, Constantine said: How many beers you've got? Not enough for this snore fest. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weezer Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 What happened to all the trademark Brazilian marauding full backs? Do they not produce them anymore? Playing a bang average RB at LB and a CB at RB really blunts their attacking threat. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Adam Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 The clickbait transfer stories about players doing well at a World Cup has got really quick nowadays Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOORAY HENRIK Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Juranovic has been getting linked heavily away since last Summer. We’ve essentially signed his replacement already in Johnston from Canada. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darius1998 Posted December 9, 2022 Share Posted December 9, 2022 Gvardiol is the most complete CB I've ever seen for his age. Closest one was probably Laporte at Athletic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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