I admit, to be fair, a lot of people aren't really interested in the 3rd place playoff and when it is on TV. That said, it appears to be modeled after the Olympics in that it gives out the bronze medal. It may actually be a bronze medal. I believe I've seen it referred to as such. There you go, https://www.thesun.co.uk/world-cup-2018/6762524/world-cup-bronze-medal-prize-money-third-place-play-off-england-belgium/ I think we are in a new phase of the World Cup, traditional powers such as Brazil may not be nearly as effective in the future. There is also, obviously, a gradual dominance by European powers. One never knows though, maybe finally, an African, Asian country will come into their own.

In '90, it was a big let down to England to not make the final, go out on penalties... in 2018, I'd think giving a full effort against Belgium and perhaps winning would be going out on a high note.

28 years ago, England played in the 3rd place game and lost, 32 years ago, in 1986, Belgium played in the 3rd place game and lost. With that time gone by, do people still not care about that match? Just my opinion, I think they should. Something is better than nothing.

10 years appears practical but having said that...every team has is lulls. Germany didn't advance this time, they may be the best example from being Champions in 2014 but I'd not forget, the 2010 French team hit rock bottom as well. They may have even been 32 of 32 teams for 2010. It goes around, it's not as if England has uniquely been hexed with misfortune.

Did you have any comment on the 2nd goal by Croatia itself? Pretty outstanding.

https://us.soccerway.com/teams/comparison/?team_ids[]=514&team_ids[]=944 According to this, France has 3 wins vs. Croatia, 0 wins for Croatia, 2 draws.

Head to head, H2H, before this match, they had played 7(?) times, England won 4 times, Croatia 3. I question whether they had played that few times.... but those matches show it was fairly even already. https://us.soccerway.com/teams/comparison/?team_ids[]=514&team_ids[]=774 UEFA Nations League, Croatia scheduled to play England 2 times in the near future. https://us.soccerway.com/international/europe/uefa-nations-league/20182019/league-a/group-4/g12057/ In October and November, 2018. I'm not familiar with this "Nations League" at all.

What a clutch goal their 2nd goal was, right? Off of the player's left foot and into the goal. I doubt if that was his main foot. I hope they have something left in the tank for the final and they surely, are resourceful enough.

Croatia is no one to ever take lightly, I repeat what I said at least once early in this thread. In 2014, they were in Brazil's group in the group stage and there was their game vs. Brazil where I think pretty blatantly, the refs helped the homeside. You lose one game in the group stage, then, you can't afford any more errors. They were robbed in 2014, but hey, it goes around.....they aren't the only ones. Some comeback.

Giroud was all over the pitch, helped the French team immeasurably and in all of their matches. Unfortunately, they seem like they will be in the favourites for the silverware now. I was hoping for a Belgium win, they totally shut them down. It's a bit sad it went that way. Sometimes, it is the teams that don't come out all flashy but perform consistently that win. When did we last see Jogo Bonito? At least, the Argentines did some of that in 2010. Perhaps Giroud should look like he came from some colonised land, then, he might get positive reviews.

What I was trying to say, is Mbappe is 19, Pele was I believe 17-18 when Brazil won it in 1958, the first time, so there was a parallel there. Thanks for showing us the knowledge that Brazil won it 5 times. I know how Brazil won 3 World Cups with him and many will say he had plenty of talent on some of those teams to help him such as Garrrincha in 1962 where read the chart, Garrincha was pivotal. I am not sure Pele was that pivotal in 1970, maybe. It may well be wrong that Neymar is so high; but they make these ratings current some time. I don't think Neymar is even as good as Ronaldinho at his best. Jairzinho, Carlos Torres, Rivellino, Nilton Santos, Njamba Santos, Gerson and Didi all played for Brazil.. Looks like Brazil had a lot of players. I give Ronaldo, Romario and Ronaldhno all a lot of credit for being great players also, of course, at least the latter two, not on the same par. In the 1930s, Brazil had the "Black Pearl" Leonidas, of course, very famous as well. There is a whole website dedicated to Brazilian football history from Brazil in English, This one, they may not update it anymore http://www.v-brazil.com/world-cup/history/1934-Italy.php

Neymar has two World Cups under his belt. I don't think there is anything extraordinary with either. Pele helped Brazil win the World Cup and.....

I did not know this and probably would not have known this. Thanks for sharing. I do agree in a way with what they said, I also realise that as much as possible, one may want to avoid being "political"; as in also, those Switzerland players making the (double) eagle signals with their hands as that being symbolic of Albania.. https://112.international/sport/glory-to-ukraine-flashmob-in-support-of-croats-started-on-facebook-30079.html

https://themoscowtimes.com/photogalleries/russian-football-out-of-the-spotlight-62104 Young Russians playing in one of their cities over there, note, #10 on the left behind the fence is wearing a 3 Lions shirt. Did the Russians dope? Maybe. Per the Olympics, they sure did and were barred and had medals taken away in the Olympics. Reading Hazard's predictions, I remember how Uruguay dominated Portugal and that Uruguay did not have Cavani the other day. I definitely disagree with anyone saying Uruguay played that gamesmanship, diving style the other day, the way some teams do. Rough World Cup for the Latin American teams.

Interesting article here: A few misses but overall, very good.

Howlin' Wolf - Smokestack Lightning

Croatia was treated very badly at the Brazil 2014 World Cup by the officials and then, they had some sort of problem with Portugal in 2016 at the Euro...so, yes, they are just scraping by. So, I don't despise them. Of course, I want to see England win convincingly in regular time against them and I think that will happen. 20 years ago, Croatia was in the semi-final as the announcers repeat over and over again, losing to France.

I thought Russia was going to win the shootout,, Croatia advances, I don't think it matters who you meet, be prepared..... Russia were absolutely awesome at home except vs. Uruguay.

No one said the poisonings were not state sponsored, maybe I did not follow what you said close enough, this is such an exciting game.

You can tell from the Croatian fans' faces, they don't care for the penalty shootout while for Russia, it means, they cling to life. I think I have an idea how this will go... but I don't want to jinx anyone. I'll say later on.

Russia almost scored a game winner there..

Goal Russia, unbelievable.. Tied again One heckuva match.

RT, Russia Today, it's a website, TV station... I know that much. It is Russian state media. But I say, there's plenty of time to discuss doping, this to me, sounds like a windup....but have at it if you care. Russia has had a very good World Cup, no matter how this ends up. The Moscow Times is an okay news outlet: https://themoscowtimes.com/

Russia certainly got hammered by Uruguay. I'd say, you don't care who you meet, just prepare to be ready for them after this is over. I think Russia has played rather well in this game.

Croat Goalie does look like he's limping.... see if he stays in, Subasic.