The_jagster

Sound the Heartwork klaxon, for this is the Strait of Gibraltar derby. These two countries even share land borders thanks to Spain's own colonial past with three sections of Spanish land on the Moroccan coast. Edit: oh Spain do the stupid thing of a video line-up rather than a picture How did they get here: Morocco: Won their qualifying group ahead of Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Sudan, then a playoff against DR Congo. Won their group, beating Canada and Belgium while drawing with Canada. Spain: Won their qualifying group containing Greece and Sweden, but only beat Costa Rica before drawing with Germany and losing to Japan. Last 16 regulars? Morocco: One previous appearance in 1986, losing to Germany 1-0. This tournament they have already equalled their number of wins across all previous World Cups combined with sparse appearances. Spain: 8 previous ties, most of which have resulted in victories. Their last one was a penalty loss to Russia, they beat Portugal 1-0 in 2010 and lost 3-1 to France in 2006. Previous meetings? Yes! 2-2 in the last 2018 group stage match, with Iago Aspas equalising late on for Spain. They have even contested a World Cup knockout stage of sorts in a playoff for Chile 62. In the Africa-Europe clashes Spain won matches 3-2 and 1-0 to progress to the finals, Alfredo Di Stefano among the scorers. Laura Woods hosts coverage of England before the match itself kicks off at 3.

Think Korea were still thinking of the old engine when trying so many lofted balls over the top in the second half. Brazil still only looked troubled once they knew it was won despite Korea committing players forward, it's going to take a good performance to beat them and I can't see Croatia providing it.

Korea's problem isnt necessarily committing too many players froward, they just can't defend. Goals one and three they have the numbers, but not the ability.

Last two goals have been worth watching

Name one game we played like this... Name one game in the knockout stages we played like this.

Scored the best two goals of the tournament so far Though I really liked the Freuler one, shame I heard it before I saw it.

Because they got to play Portugal's reserve team

If I played for Wolves I'd take any opportunity to actually have a shot tbf

Against England in Euro 2020 for one, that was just playing for a 0-0. You might have kept the ball but you never bothered about scoring.

Only a huge score will make this worth a watch now

I can forgive arithmetic errors if they tell me something different about the football.

Brazil have looked good but not brilliant so far, difficult to see how Korea get a win in normal time as they are another team that don't have much in attack, and you fancy Brazil to score at least one. I don't really want to see this slow Croatia side go much further though so I'd rather Brazil win both matches and we get a big semi-final clash out of it.

They do it quite a bt normally, Salah had one where it looped up after a save and you couldn't tell what was happening.

It makes sense, most right footers are stronger shooting to their left so a good pen there and the keeper can't save it

It's bad when you've got two teams like this. But 2 of the last 3 world cups have been won in extra time, England beat Denmark, Italy beat Austria and Spain beat Croatia in ET at Euro 2020.

Shame Croatia equalised quite early in the half, this is terrible

Big tourney Perisic

Can Croatia create when not given as much space as Canada allowed them?

Kamada has looked a class above his teammates in general, so a shot for a throw-in is a bit of a surprise. I think Mowbray and Jenas are going a bit overboard on how well they are playing though, most of the time both teams have had fairly sterile possession. In reality Croatia are probably quite happy for Japan to be aiming crosses for Maeda. Edit: lol

Why did no Japanese player support Nagatomo there? Japan seem to be demonstrating that defenders can't judge long balls over the top.

Thought "oh great, Jenas". Then remembered I don't think there is anyone on the BBC I like of their current co-commentators.

Put 5 live on for the build up and some pundit is talking about how England's midfield will dominate France's. a) what? b) Talk about the game coming up!

Subjective opinion time: I don't actually think Japan are that good. I listened to the radio for the Germany match and they were being crucified for how passive and defensive they were, then they turned up for the last quarter and made Germany pay for missed chances. They were absolutely dreadful against Costa Rica, boring rubbish (maybe 0-0 fairer than losing). Then they had 15 minutes of decent pressure against Spain and happened to score twice, the first goal was a poor effort from Simon in goal. The only Croatia game I watched in full was their Canada win, but from the highlights Belgium should have sent them home and they didn't offer much in terms of chances against Morocco. I feel like both teams should really be fancying their chances here but will prioritise keeping it tight at the back. Modric is better than anyone Japan have and I think Croatia should have enough to cause problems over 90 minutes. I took the afternoon off for this so I'm hoping this will be a classic.

The red circle on white of Japan takes on the red squares on white of Croatia in today's first match. The winner plays Brazil or Korea on Friday. How did they get here? Japan: Came second to Saudi Arabia in the last group stage in Asia qualifiers; famously beat Spain and Germany to win their group despite a loss to Costa Rica Croatia: Beat Russia to first in qualifying, put four past Canada and managed goalless draws against Morocco and Belgium. Much last 16 history? Japan: Yes, but no further. Lost to Turkey 0-1 in 2002, Paraguay on pens in 2010 and Belgium 2-3 in 2018. At least they scored against Belgium, and only a late rally turned things round in a heartbreaking loss at the end of normal time. Croatia: a young country but also qualifying for the first time in 1998, they have reached this stage less often than Japan, beating Romania in 1998 1-0 and beating Denmark on pens in 2018 after a 1-1 draw (though it has to be said, would have won it in extra time were it not for a foul on Rebic who just had to slot the ball into an empty net). Previous meetings? Two forgettable matches in world cups, 0-0 in 2006 and 1-0 to Croatia in 1998 when Suker scored the winner

I still think we would struggle against Spain too, or Brazil. It's not like we beat France and it's won, Portugal could beat us too tbh.