The Official World Cup 2018 Megathread

[Kenny]

Obviously I hope we won't be playing in that game, but even if we lose tomorrow and have to play in the 3rd place play off, it's still on opportunity for Kane to add to his tally to secure the Golden Boot.

Stop sticking up for the game.

Kane probably wouldn't play, it is so pointless we will put Welbeck up top.

 

[jd1981]

If e end up in it I’ll still watch it, I’ve tried to psychologically prepare myself that at some point over next 5 days I’m going to be gutted.

 

[Tredman]

I'm doing the same, trying to mentally prepare myself for being very disappointed. I'm a terrible loser, so really don't want to get too excited.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

It's all good prep for when Wolves make a Champions League semi-final.

 

[Langers]

I was far more nervous in the build up to the Colombia game. Obviously it'll be gutting to lose tomorrow, but I think the squad have done enough to come home to a massively positive reception even if we lose in the semi.

 

[Tredman]

I was far more nervous in the build up to the Colombia game. Obviously it'll be gutting to lose tomorrow, but I think the squad have done enough to come home to a massively positive reception even if we lose in the semi.

That's a good point, we HAVE down very well to get here.

It's just that it seems that bit easier to make it through this time, the previous semi finals against (west) Germany it always looked a stretch too far for us - this time it seems simpler.

 

[jd1981]

I can remember being just devastated after both semis in the 90’s especially Euro 96. Still to this day can’t believe we went out that night.
If we do go out tomorrow just don’t want it to be on penalties or a moment of controversy.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

I'd be hard pushed to say we deserved to win either semi final against Germany. We matched them on both occasions, it's fair to say that, but they could easily have gone either way before we got to penalties. Remember Germany had a perfectly good goal disallowed in extra time in 96 and as Golden Goal was in place at the time, that would have been that, peep peep peep, full time and home you go.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

1990 was the one that England should have won. That chance in extra time was so damn close. And watching it was made more painful knowing the a fairly inept Argentina were waiting. Everybody knew the winner of that game was going home with the trophy.

 

[Nando]

I've got no idea what Martinez is doing with that XI.

 

[Stan Hullis]

Dembele at LWB...

 

[YoungWolf]

BBC seem to think it’s KDB on left. France play with their own unbalanced system, so maybe martinez feels he can afford to do that himself. I can’t work out what exactly the plan is their though!

 

[Lord Knows]

FRA Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, L.Hernandez; Pogba, Kanté, Matuidi; Mbappé, Giroud, Griezmann.

BEL Courtois; Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen; Chadli, Witsel, Fellaini, Dembélé; De Bruyne, Lukaku, E.Hazard.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Looking at the line-ups I think France are slight favourites. Penalties please, obviously. Preferably with a rain of red cards.

 

[Tredman]

France for me, can't see that Belgium side coping with Mbappé in full flow.

 

[The Bear]

Looks like a 4-2-3-1 for Belgium with Vertonghen LB and Chadli RB.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Excellent save from Lloris.

Don't think I can call this one.

 

[YoungWolf]

Good game so far! Belgium with the better efforts so far.

 

[Johnny75]

More open than I thought it would be. High quality game.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

It is full of quality but not full of goal mouth incident yet. Fascinating.