It is World Cup Semi Final Final time and our Who Cares Guide returns to look at the England v Croatia World Cup Semi Final.
For those who don’t have enough time to fully get into this World Cup, we have a supplied shortened preview of just about every game of this World Cup so far, almost justifying the dreadful lack of sleep. This quick Who Cares guide is brought to you so it allows you to keep up with fellow family, friends, and fishmongers everywhere with your new found World Cup Semi Finals knowledge.
We even went to the lengths of wrapping up the Quarter Finals in our Sporting Opinion section.
This time we offer some who cares thoughts on England v Croatia World Cup Semi Final clash.
THU 4:00 (AEST) – ENGLAND v CROATIA WORLD CUP SEMI FINAL
HOW DID THEY GET HERE?
England have looked solid so far through the World Cup without looking sensational, aside from the 6-1 pantsing of Panama, but haven’t really defeated any team of top quality. That is mainly because of their tactic of losing their group game to Belgium to avoid playing Brazil, wisely, although Belgium did make light work of them.
The tournament has produced heroes instead of villains, provided hope rather the crushing disappointment, and and the big moments have ended in goals and cheers not red cards and tears. Even if this is the end of the road for England, it is hard not to see it as a success.
And they’ve done it without a big name manager, and a squad of very good players, but very few would be being chased by clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid. But clearly it looks like the big names were the ones hampering England. They have proven they can tough it out when not the better side like at times against Colombia, but can really punish a side when much stronger like against Panama. And smart enough in the game against Belgium.
Everything has been an improvement, and a lot are hoping they improve on their most recent result in a World Cup semi final.
Croatia won all three group games, unlike England, and their comprehensive defeat of Argentina was one of the big results of the group stages.
But unlike England, Croatia have had to play two lots of extra time and penalties instead of one, and could this be an advantage for England.
What is an advantage for Croatia is they have the better midfield stars like Modric and Rakitic, although you could argue that Harry Kane is the better striker between the two sides.
Both sides have been a little fortunate to have avoided a real big gun up until now, but that is mainly because they took care of themselves. A big once in a generation opportunity awaits.
SEMI FINAL PATHWAY
ENGLAND – 2nd Group G – 6pts – GD +5
R16 – England 1 Colombia 1 (won 4-3 pens)
QF – England 2 Sweden 0
England
CROATIA – 1st Group D – 9pts – GD +6
R16 – Croatia 1 Denmark (won 3-2 on pens)
QF – Croatia 2 Russia 2 (won 4-3 pens)
Croatia are the only team in the Semi Finals who had to go through an extra qualifying playoff just ot make the World Cup.
WHO CARES HISTORY STATS
Head to Head – England 4 Croatia 2 Draw 1 (Goals – France 36 Belgium 24)
Last Match – England 5 Croatia 1 – WQ Qual (also won other match 4-1)
Last time in a Semi Final – England 1990 (lost next two games) Croatia 1998 (won 3/4 playoff)
Best Result – England 1966 – Win – Croatia 1998 – 3rd
WHO CARES HISTORY – YOU MIGHT….
The last time that the four semi finalists had no team that were semi finalists in the previous World Cup was in 1966. An omen?
The last time two teams from the same group made the semi finals
England broke a run of 8 World Cups where all of the semi finalists had finished top of their group.
HOW CAN THEY WIN
England should try and go all out for an early goal with their speed merchants and Golden Boot elect Harry Kane so a more tired Croatia have to chase a goal early.
From there it is a matter of containing Modric and Rakitic, starving the big man Mandzukic of the ball. And if they do break through, they have new wonder keeper Jordan Pickford.
For Croatia it’s all about the midfield, which is arguably better than England”s. And the longer the game stays 0-0 you wonder if the nerves and expectations will get to England’s younger team.
WHO CARES FOR A BET?
RESULT – England $2.30 Croatia $3.40 Draw $3.00 (90 minutes)
TO QUALIFY – England $1.62 Croatia $2.25
OUR BEST BET – Harry Kane to score 2 or more goals @ $7
WHO CARES WHAT WE THINK?
What we think will happen…
An early goal from Harry Kane, a late one from Harry Kane. England 2-0.
What will probably happen..
A 0-0 Draw with no goals in extra time, and the most painful of penalty shootouts await.
WHO SHOULD A NEUTRAL SUPPORT THEN?
ENGLAND IF YOU….
Have any trace of English heritage
Love the EPL or support one of the sides.
Want to hear bout the achievement for the next 30 odd years.
See a manager without fuss or ego like Gareth Southgate rewarded, who made his way through the junior teams.
You love a good waistcoat.
CROATIA IF YOU…..
Like a team where lot of names end in ic.
Want to see a first time winner.
Want to tell everyone who were right about Croatia being a dark horse.
Don’t want to hear bout the achievement for the next 30 odd years.
You are really bitter against England, and don’t want them to achieve out of spite.
