World Cup Final: who makes it?
A couple interesting matches in Belgium-France and England-Croatia. Who do you think makes the final?
After beating Brazil, a lot of people have Belgium winning it all--and they certainly could. But if all the teams left, France arguably have the most (and most evenly distributed) talent. Plus they've been winning without even really clicking. I suspect they start to click now and win 2-1.
Similarly, the fact that England have made it this far (for the first time since 2006) and the lack of traditional powerhouses left in the tournament (save France), has their fans thinking about a first World Cup since 1966 for the country that invented the game.* But I just can't shake the feeling that this team isn't really all that great. Croatia, on the other hand, have the Cup's best midfield pair in Modric and Raketic. I think they play a possession game and slice up England's defense, 1-0.
So my pick is France vs. Croatia.
I then have France winning the final. Occasionally in the European Championships you get a winner that's not all that good but just get on a hot streak (e.g. Denmark in 1992, Greece in 2004), but World Cup winners tend to be the team with the most (and most evenly distributed) talent. Final score: 2-0.
Who do you have and why?
*Scotland also claim to have invented the game.
I'm just happy that there aren't any teams that I really feel obligated to root against. There's a total of two World Cup victories left in the field. There are entertaining players, but few (if any) villains.
It's been several years with this "generation" of players, but I still have a hard time getting used to Belgium being such a talented and entertaining squad. They sure are entertaining, though, and my sort-of-natural preference for France (I cut my teeth watching soccer during the peak Zidane years, and perhaps the peak of my soccer fandom was Euro 2000 when the Zidane-Henry team was transcendant) aside I wouldn't mind seeing Belgium break through. They'd be deserving.
I think this is going to be a lot of fun. I'm guessing that Croatia is too tired and that England will advance, which would be a lot of fun. I think the France-Belgium game is far more of a tossup, and has the potential to be an all-timer. Of course, in soccer, a matchup like that could easily wind up being a dreary 1-0 slogfest, because it's soccer.
But here's to fun and entertainment and a World Cup Final that is great.
These last 4 games could be played 4 different times and get 4 different winners, one lucky bounce, one late tackle, one leg cramp because of the intense heat could decide the matches at this point. I give the likeliest edge to Belgium because Vertonghen is the best man marking mobile defender of the tournament, Thibault has been consistently excellent, they defend deep, and have 3 top counter-attack threats who can each make goals out of absolutely nothing. I can easily say similar things about England, France, and Croatia, but I'll give the slight edge to Belgium. England played amazing the last game, but that was just one game against Sweden.
I have France over England in the final...I plan on poaching a few free brews at an English pub in the WC Final should the 3 Lions advance past the semifinal...
OP - England was knocked out in the quarterfinals in 2006 - they haven't reached the semis since 1980 I believe.
1990
Anyone but England, please!
Are there any players left to field teams? I thought the majority of them died by now due to being fouled.
Bolivia
Marco Etcheverry is not walking through that door.
Belgium
Because my grandparents were born there! (...and, I hate the French).
France and England with France winning.
Honestly think whoever wins betweenness France/Belgium will beat England or Croatia.
I want England over Belgium, but think it will be France over England. I really like all the teams that are left. I'd be most surprised by Belgium beating France. I like Belgium, but their defense was already somewhat weak and their missing wing back Meunier due to suspension.
Honest question, what is the basis of the England hate? I get the imperialism and all that, but they seem like a solid team that has likable players. Can't say I've ever met an actual English person in my life, so I don't know if their fans are a problem, but I like watching the Premier League and seeing all the Spurs players staring is fun.
I love the UK and want England to win. Individual English fans I meet are great. However, they do have a reputation for fans that riot...riot a lot.
Was in England for the 2012 Euro and all the England fans were awesome. I think some of the "hate" just stems from more of a mockery in that from 2002 to 2010 they were absolutely STACKED in talent and probably did the least they could've done with it besides an okay run in the 2006 WC.
Belgium and France were also imperialists.
Ya, what Belgium did in Congo still blows my mind and is very, very sad
The English fanbase probably has plenty of fine people, but it does contain two loathsome subgroups:
1) The hooligans. (Not as bad as a generation ago, but still out there.)
2) The "We invented this game, so we deserve it more than you" faction. Insufferable.
As fun as Belgium are to watch, their back line is pure drek. They're old and slow, save Meunier, and will get abused by Mbappe and Lucas's speed on the wings. Marcelo torched them and he's slow AF. Having Courtois in goal is their saving grace when defending. France rolls, 3-1.
England-Cro smells like a snooze fest. 0-0, Eng through on PK's. Croatia are banged up and have to be exhausted.
You never know, but I think England will create chances against Croatia and there is little chance it will be 0-0 heading into penalty kicks after 2 hours of soccer.
I’d love to see Belgium-Croatia for the underdog / little guy aspect and to see someone get their first title.
I want to see England beat France. I think Belgium will beat England.
I want Belgium and Croatia to make it. I think that France and England will make it. This might just be self-preservation or preparation for the worst, but France has been playing pretty well, but they have a guy in Antoine Griezmann who has not stopped scoring big goals for the last few months. I saw that in person at the Europa League final. Mbappe has been stellar, Pogba is playing his best football since he went to Manchester United. Kante has been the most unheralded player of the tournament and I think the real reason I am picking France. England, I just hate the colonizers, but they've defended really well. Croatia have been lackluster their last two run outs. I am hoping we see Croatia's best in these last two games as I had them as my dark horse going into the tournament and would like to see them win.
Croatia over England; Belgium over France. Belgium wins it all
On a related note, pretty pumped about the Man Utd-Liverpool match at the Big House in a few weeks. Even if the stars don't play, it'll be nice to sing "glory glory, Man United" chants in my favorite stadium.
France has the talent to beat any team in the world, but they have a hard time playing together. They have world class players at every position but if they can't play as a team they will not beat Belgium. I still am taking France 3-2 as I feel like they are starting to click.
As for England and Croatia, I would instantly take Croatia as their mid field has dominated in this tournament but they are coming off of the last 2 matches that went to PK's and that takes a toll on players, especially players of the ages that Croatia has. If they can get their rest in during the days off and rejuvenate, they win 2-0. I dont think England has enough to beat a rested Croatian side.
France over Croatia in the final 2-0.
Belgium over England for third, 3-1
Croatia's my second favorite soccer team (I'm part Croatian) next to the US. It's weird cause I've had the exact same feeling as I did throughout the Wolverines' tourny run. I think they'll get to the final but won't get it done. :(
France-Croatia, France takes it 2-0. They are just unfairly talented.
I have been riding France and England all tourny and I am not stopping now.
France over Belgium 3-1. Belgium will try and open it up which means France will have space and Deschamps won't be able to bore us to sleep. Give me Mbappe, Matuidi, and Pogba going forward with the player who I think should (but sadly won't) win Golden Ball in Kante shutting off the Belgium attack. Seriously, Kante has been amazing.
England over a tired Croatian team 2-1. I love Modric, but that team looks done and England has looked very strong to me. Set pieces matter in international soccer. The lads in London will get to carry their party onto Sunday.
France over England in the final, 2-1. Picked them to win from the start. Love everything about their team. Hoping Pogba scores the game winner to build up steam for the club season.
That being said, I like all 4 of these teams. Any of the 4 would be a deserving champion in my eye if they win 2 more times.
I see France v England in WC Final...France surrenders and England wins the WC.
I don’t think Croatia is in the same class with the other 3 teams...however in this crazy WC...that may mean they have the best shot of any of the final four teams remaining!
I have to root for England to go all the way. My girlfriend hails from there and I have to give her the same support she gives me during football season.
Belgians vs Croats.
Croats win in an upset.
France 3-2 in thriller over Belgium. Croatia 2-1 against England. France 2-0 over Croatia in final.
I'll go with a France-England final, with France winning 3-1. Lloris lifts the cup and then translates that into a Premier League winning season for Spurs.
Alternatively, football's coming home.
I traveled to Geneva once, very nice City. Far too expensive for my liking but the close proximity to Chamonix makes it completely worth it.
Damn lack of an Edit button. Meant to be a response to above.
I had France winning from the beginning so I will stick with them. Also, this is the furthest England has made it since 1990, not 2006. I’d love to see England win it all with Vardy chugging Red Bulls to celebrate. I think Belgium has the best offensive talent but also probably the worst defense. Yes they beat Brazil but I’m not sure anyone really knows how good Brazil really is (I think they were overrated).
Brazil may be overrated, but they're still better than England or Croatia
Gonna post Belgium v France stuff here since I'm too lazy to make a thread.
Interesting formation by Belgium to be in a 343 with De Bryune playing winger.
Courtouis with a huge save
Welp. Vive la France.
I wonder if Belgium could have done anything if they had gotten that free kick outside the box the ref blew.
As a fan of the French team I've often found myself scratching my head at what Didier Deschamps is trying to do, and feeling like the team is not as good as the sum of its parts.
But the guy wins.
France has been the most complete and talented team. The only question has and still is how will Lloris play. Today, he played as good as a goalie can and got the clean sheet. One more good game and there will be another star on the French jersey.
I think the back four has been more of a question mark than Lloris, specifically the two lateral spots. Pavard (who is normally a CB) and Hernandez only became starters there at the beginning of this tournament.
Well, looks like I had the picks right but the scores backwards.