Sunday, July 15, 2018

France vs Croatia World Cup Final - July 15, 2018


France vs Croatia - Competition: World Cup (Finale)
Date: 15 July 2018 - Kick-off Time: 17:00 CET
Venue: Luzhniki Stadium

France team have reached a second consecutive major tournament final, after they lost to Portugal at Euro 2016. Les Bleus are aiming to bring him the trophy they previously won in 1998, having also lost the 2006 final on penalties to Italy. Deschamps' men reached the World Cup final by beating Belgium 1-0 in the semifinals, courtesy of a Samuel Umtiti header. They have also beaten Argentina (4-3) and Uruguay (2-0) in the knockout stage. In the group stage, France beat Australia (2-1) and Peru (1-0), and recorded a goalless draw against Denmark (0-0). As a result, they have kept 4 clean sheet in 6 games. 
Deschamps can name an unchanged side from the semi-final win over Belgium as Blaise Matuidi should be fit to start despite going off injured last time out. Olivier Giroud should keep his place up front despite he is yet to break the duck. The Chelsea striker will be supported by Kylian Mbappè and Antoine Griezmann, with Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kantè anchoring the midfield. Djibril Sidibe is still a doubt for les Bleus but Benjamin Pavard is safe to start at right-back, forming an unchanged backline alongside Samuel Umtiti, Raphael Varane and Lucas Hernandez.
Croatia denied England's bid to reach the final for the first time since 1966, knocking off the Three Lions 2-1 in extra time. They are the first team in World Cup history to go to extra-time in all three of their knockout matches en route to the final, with two of them decided by penalty shootouts (against Russia and Denmark). That leaves doubt as to whether they have the energy to endure another marathon matchup. Interestingly, all three of their knockout games have finished 1-1. Hence, after two victories without conceding - 2:0 over Nigeria and 3:0 over Argentina - the Blazers have failed to keep a clean sheet in the last four matches. Croatia have never beaten France in five previous meetings, although the last two encounters have ended in a draw.
Mandzukic should also ready despite going off with cramp in extra-time against England. Ivan Strinic is also likely to recover after limping off in that match. Marcelo Brozovic should retain his spot as pivot in the middle of the park, while Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric, Ante Rebic and Ivan Perisic will feature from the off as offensive midfielders behind Mandzukic. Milan Badelj and Mateo Kovacic provide useful midfield options, Andrej Kramaric is a viable alternative upfront. Sime Vrsaljko remarkably recovered from a knee injury in time to start against England and will continue at right-back here, forming a four man backline with Dejan Lovren, Damagoj Vida and Ivan Strinic.

Probable lineups:
France: Lloris – Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez – Pogba, Kante – Mbappe, Griezmann, Matuidi – Giroud.
Croatia: Subasic – Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic – Rakitic, Brozovic – Rebic, Modric, Perisic – Mandzukic.






 









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Tuesday, July 10, 2018

France vs Belgium - Competition: World Cup
Date: 10 July 2018 - Kick-off Time: 19:00 BST - 20:00 CET
Venue: Saint-Petersburg Stadium
 
France team secured their route through with hard-fought and narrow wins over Peru and Australia in their opening two matches. Les Blues drew 0-0 with Denmark in the final group stage match. Their first knock-out game saw them defeat Argentina in a thrilling 4-3 triumph as Lionel Messi was knocked out of the competition. Then Deschamps' men reached their sixth World Cup Semi Final with their solid 2-0 victory over Uruguay. Doubts should remain about a defence who conceded three times against Argentina but in France's other four matches, a goal has not been conceded from open play. Excluding shootouts, France have lost just one of their last 13 games in the knockout rounds of the World Cup.
Didier Deschamps is unlikely to make sweeping changes. Sidibe is a doubt for Les Blues, but he is their only injury concern here. Suspended Blaise Matuidi gave place to Corentin Tolisso in midfield, but Juve’s man is expected to return to the starting XI here. Olivier Giroud should spearhead the attack once again, with Kylian Mbappè and Antoine Girezmann behind him. No changes are expected in defense where Raphael Varane and Samuel Umtiti wil lbe flanked by Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard.

Belgium won all three of their group stage clashes - 3:0 over Panama, 5-2 over Tunisia and 1-0 over England. The Red Devils survived a scare in the last 16 round by beating Japan 3-2 courtesy of a last gasp goal, after they were 2 goals down in the second half. Roberto Martinez's men came through a heavyweight clash in the quarter-finals as they knocked joint-favourites Brazil out (2-1) in a pulsating match. They were dominated, but they managed to score two goals from only three attempts on target in the game. Belgium are now unbeaten in their last 24 games under manager Roberto Martinez, winning 19 and drawing five.
Yannick Carrasco and Dries Mertens were victims of the tactics change last time out and could be benched once again. Thomas Meunier is suspended after he received his second yellow of the World Cup last time out. Martinez has tipped Chadli and Adnan Januzaj are both options to fill the void on the right. He is expected to switch to a 4-3-3 formation with Jan Vertonghen playing as left back. Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne should flank Romelu Lukaku up front, while Marouane Fellaini should join Mousa Dembele and Axel Witsel in a very strong midfield.

Probable lineups:
France: Lloris – Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez – Pogba, Kante– Mbappe, Griezmann, Matuidi – Giroud.
Belgium: Courtois – Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen – Tielemans, Fellaini, Witsel, Chadli – de Bruyne, Lukaku, Hazard.








 
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Sunday, July 8, 2018

Russia vs Croatia Highlights - World Cup 2018


Russia vs Croatia - Competition: World Cup
Date: 7 July 2018 - Kick-off Time: 19:00 BST
Venue: Olimpiyskiy Stadion Fisht, Sochi

Croatia defeated Russia yesterday in the quarter final. The match ended in penalties and Croatia is going to face England in the semifinal of this world cup. 

Russia 2-2 (3-4 PEN.) Croatia (WORLD CUP 2018)
31' Denis Cheryshev 1-0 // 39' Andrej Kramaric 1-1 // 101' Domagoj Vida 1-2 // 115' Mario Fernandes 2-2 












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Wednesday, July 4, 2018


Belgium vs Japan - Competition: World Cup 2018
Date: 2 July 2018 - Kick-off Time: 19:00 BST
Venue: Rostov Arena

Belgium team produce a fantastic second half comeback to beat Japan in Rostov Arena.

Belgium 3-2 Japan (WORLD CUP 2018)
48' Genki Haraguchi 0-1 // 52' Takashi Inui 0-2 // 69' Jan Vertonghen 1-2 // 74' Marouane Fellaini 2-2 // 90' Nacer Chadli 3-2














 
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