Croatia lineup vs. Argentina: Subašić – Vrsaljko, Vida, Lovren, Strinić – Brozović, Rakitić, Modrić – Rebić, Perišić – Mandžukić
Croatia shook up the 2018 World Cup Thursday night with their 3-0 dismantling of Lionel Messi and Argentina. With the South Americans needing to pick up points after a 1-1 draw against Iceland; and Lionel Messi’s World Cup legacy on the line, Croatia completely turned the football world upside down with a shocking 3-0 victory.
After a scoreless first half which saw both sides have opportunities in front of goal, Ante Rebić finally broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute when Argentina goalie Wilfredo Caballero made a poor clearance attempt; opening up Rebić for a beautiful volley which he hammered home.
Rebić Goal
Rebić had a poor first half in which he gave the ball away on far too many occasions and picked up a yellow card for his scrappy, although influential, physical play. But all of that was soon forgotten when he pressured the Argentina defense and fired home “the mistake” to put Croatia up 1-0. The Argentines would not be the same for the remainder of the match. They played without composure and were visibly emotional having to play from behind. Captain Lionel Messi could not rally the troops as the Croatian offense kept pressure on the Argentina backline and blocked passing lanes on numerous occasions to thwart the two-time World Cup champions.
Luka Modri’ stated that “everything went to plan” to stop Messi and Argentina, ESPN writes.
With enough time left in the second half for Argentina to make a much needed comeback, the Croatian defensive line of Strini’, Lovren, Vida and Vrsaljko would not bend. They stood on their heads for the majority of the match; blocking numerous shots which may have reached Subašić’s goal. The defense was disciplined yet physical. And although you will not see their names on the final stat sheet, a big congratulations has to go out to the defense, who have yet to concede a goal at this World Cup.
Marcelo Brozović and Luka Modrić did a fine job of dictating the midfield when Croatia had the ball. Argentina did have large spurts of ball possession during the match (59%) which did not allow Modrić to control pace and tempo. Ivan Perišić was dangerous down the left side numerous times; nearly scoring in the opening 10 minutes of the match. Ivan Rakitić played with force and fire against Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi. This was the first time that he and Modrić played superb in the same match in quite some time; and it showed. Mario Mandžukić was physical the entire match and it showed as Argentina players were annoyed multiple times when challenging Mandza. However, the Juventus striker missed a golden opportunity to head home in the first half when he only got a piece of the ball with an open net following Vrsaljko’s cross. Rakitić crushed the crossbar off a free kick late in the game, but it was Luka Modrić’s 25-yard strike in the 80th minute that sent Croatians into euphoria.
The Croatian captain bobbed and weaved at the top of the box before rifling a shot which curled just inside the right post to give the Vatreni a 2-0 lead and stick a dagger in Argentina hearts. It was the nail in the coffin and it showed what this Croatia team is capable of when everyone is on the same page.
Modrić Goal
Croatia would add a late goal in injury time by Ivan Rakitić to rub salt in the wound, but at the end of the day, Croatia are off to the knockout rounds while Argentina sit on one point through two matches. The Vatreni held to their game plan of keeping the ball away from Messi’s left foot and blocking Argentina passing lanes; frustrating their offense. Patience was key and Rebić capitalized on the first big mistake of the match to open the Croatian floodgates.
Rakitić Goal
If Croatia can keep this type of game up during the World Cup- anything is possible.
Joj dijasporo, I bogu si teska! Dosadni ste. Vi ste svi ameri.
You spelt cunt wrong
Rebic is a beast
Idc how hard you run if you constantly lose the ball and are liable to get sent off
He was constantly losing it
all teams are good. respect all, fear none
Yeah Denmark dont scare me.
Even in their 2 leg playoff they only played one good half.
@Poglavnik I know you said Denmark because they looked lousy against Peru. But I was in Miami watching Peru dance all over our guys. Peru were literally shitting all over Croatia. I know it was just a friendly. But I would rather play Denmark as well I agree with you. I do not want to play Peru
Mandzu disappeared with 20 mins to go. Left Kramaric out to dry many times. It’s actually the reason both Modric and Rakitic goals happened.
A lot of shit flying under the radar that teams normally get in shit for. Thankfully Mother Russia ain’t France.
Croatia might be docked points in the group for racist chants
Video has emerged from after the game of lovren and vrsalko singing to the song “bojna cavoglave” which infamously opens with the chant “za dom spremni” which is a banned chant by fifa. Given prior incidents with this chant, leniency is not expected
…I’ve got more downstairs than you (Messi)…
I guess you think you’ve seen me before (el clasicos)
Ok now is time to preserve our starters for knockout stages. Let’s embarass Iceland by beating them with this lineup:
—–Kramaric—–
Rebic–Kovacic—Pjaca
—-Badelj——-Bradaric
Pivaric—Car—Corluka–Jedvaj
—Kalinic—–
If we are losing, bring on The non-yellow carded Perisic, Modric as subs for the win.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZt7J0iaUD0
Easy Denmark.
They looked lousy against Peru and only slightly better against Australia.
and I will play in the 2nd round.
What team do we want to play in the second round???????????
So is Carli hurt or is it just that time for him, can he still play ?? Sta mislis ?
=U=
So if we win the group. What team do we want to play in the French group???!
MANDZUKIC WAS A BEAST =U=
I can easily forgive that header thing .
Fucken Round of 16 Naprid .
Rob Nikada
Fuckn hell Crnkovic
I’ve mentioned to u at least 10 times before – learn how to paragraph
your writiing is an abject bunch of assaulting hate-text
fucking STOP
write in paragraphs FFS
And Mandzo is not the guy to lead the line. He tracks back yes, but can’t score a lick. That being said we won, so can’t complain too much
Defense was still shaky. Not confident back there
Luka Modric might be getting more attention, but, the best player on the field today was Ivan Rakitic.
Outstanding both defensively and offensively. Fantastic performance.
@BZ I don’t think Kalinic qualifies as a ‘serious injury’. If he does I’ll sign up to go as his replacement. Indoor house league champion here!
Well said Soul Champ about Rebic!
He’s like a mix of Perisic’s speed power and pace on the wing with Mandza’s tough antagonising style.
Definitely been missing that character and toughness on this team for a while. His style compliments the smaller skilled guys beautifully.
Rebic is a young buck..grinding running hard ..it takes a mixed bag of players to get through to knockout round.Gretzky the Great in the 1980s in Edmonton had 2 goons all out tough guys to protect him..imo..semenko..mctavish or else he wouldn’t gel bc other team goons would try to take him out.So rebic is our tough guy..we need him.
I think part of Perišić’s issue is having to play on that right side for large chunks of the game.
He was most dangerous whenever he was on the left side.
@ Idemo
Rebić bought physicality and hard running.
“Really bad?”
His presence has totally been missing for like 6 years ..
He compliments our midfield technicians.
If anything Perišić needs to be better.
Now if you want throw Kovačić on the wing I would not be mad at you.
Rebic scores a class goal but he was bad. Really bad.
https://www.facebook.com/1459612160/posts/10215771260982047/
@T Bone-yea, that is what I thought but on the Kalinic thread someone said you can replace injured players.
Officially:
“Teams are permitted to make late replacements in the event of serious injury, at any time up to 24 hours before their first game”
This is wut happens when modric and rakitic click. Dalic wanted mandzukic and rebic to play as aggressive as possible. but rebic had way too big of an adrenaline rush in the first half, second half he started to play amazing until he got knocked. in the past few years the only team to score more than 1 goal in competitive play against us was czech, and thats cuz we basically imploded. so tbf we actually have a really good defence.
How come truth or Turk and all the other possible serb intruders on this site..dont congratulate our great athletic prowess today..us croatian per capita have made a massive impact in the world of sports…just look at miocic smashing glava all over the world champ.!!!
@filip
Yup! Mandza and Rebic were immense today. I was worried early cuz the game looked like it could get influenced easily by the refs from all the nasty stuff going on.
Everyone’s playing as well as they basically can.
Don’t think Dalic is getting enough credit.
I wrote something negative about Lovren? Find it, I challenge you to find it. Shouldn’t be hard if you say I was leading that. Here’s what you will find. Just before the tournament I said we should cut Lovren some slack, he’s had personal challenges …his wife had an affair and his home was robbed. That’s what you’ll find.
And about Strinic! I’m no different than anyone else. I’m so glad he’s doing well, I remember him playing well on many occasions but prior to this tournament, he’s been shaky wraith maybe one good game.
You’re a grumpy dude @anonymous!!
I called it yesterday if you see my posts- said it’s modric time and we’d do it – got the score wrong – I said 2-1 for Croatia but 3-0 was just beautiful- such a great day for Croatians around the world
No one can wipe the smile off my face today.
What an incredible team effort with everyone playing well (well maybe except for Subasic…not sure if was nerves or not but he was a little tentative today).
Someone posted about Rebic being tough today. We needed a player with some teeth to not take shit. Even Modric jumped up in the Argentina players face when he kicked the ball (with rakiitic’s head there)….seriously how the eff was that not a Red after this VAR?!?! This ref did really lose control of the game today. Just glad none of our boys were seriously hurt.
Messi walking straight off the pitch was disappointing. Probably because he was totally blanketed today 🙂
U Boj momci!!!
No one can wipe the smile off my face today.
What an incredible team effort with everyone playing well (well maybe except for Subasic…not sure if was nerves or not but he was a little tentative today).
I believe the difference today was we returned the dirty play tit-for-tat. Unlike Euro2016 vs. Portugal and WC2014 vs. Brazil the ability to play as dirty as the opponent has won the day. Now lets win this bitch!
@Slavonac from Canada
Settle down homer. You might think I wrote that Mandzukic comment today, I didn’t.
So long as we win who gives a shit about (the former Dinamo Zagreb player from Slavonski brod) Mandzukic’s poor header.
Funny thing Slavonac is, that you were the head cheerleader in writing disparaging comments about Lovren & Strinic, and you call others “haters.”
What was it, 1.5 years telling people Kalinic sucks?
Just shut the fuck up and enjoy the win ya bozo!
Good win.
I don’t ever have hear about “Croatia not making the World Cup knockout rounds for 20 years” overstatement again.
Also, the whole “Cro can’t beat South American teams” statement, even though it’s a small sample that includes our 1-0 loss to Argentina in ’98 when we fielded our B team.
This 3-0 win overwrites that nicely.
Izgleda da Turćin je…bez rijeći!!! Haha
Poor kalinic missing out on the time of our vatreni lives..i would be happier than a pig in shit just to be the waterboy or any part of the wc fun our teams having.This team totally reminds me of our 98 France show..were going far this year..to all the nay sayers.
hey my last comment??
yeah BZ i know good points. what i’m saying is 2008. first two games we won. bilic changed the whole team for the last group game against poland which we still won 1-0. next game we lost to turkey. 1996 we won first two games… next game: completely took the foot off the gas vs portugal in “meaningless third group game” next game lost against germany. (BTW i was at both matches). yeah make some changes get some minutes for pjaca, corluka maybe…i dont know exactly who. but keep the main players involved and make sure we win. and even more than that build on this performance. today was absolutely fantastic but there were still some completely avoidable shaky moments due to nerves/lack of deep confidence/comunication issues. we need to keep rolling like a snow ball. put in an even more clinical more self assured more efficient performance than today against iceland. no dirty tackles, plenty of slick passing, efficient finishing and top class clean defending. that gives us the best platform to continue improving. we need to continue to improve. trust me. dalic will say the same thing tomorrow
Iggy do me a favour and shut up. You know nothing. Mr negative.
To all those homers for the past two years who crapped on so many of our players. Love the homers like Maminjo who kept telling us Lovren is a disaster. He has played solid. No one bitch about him.
Enjoy the win boys and don’t let the trolls get in the way. Truth and Ziva istina are in a fetal position and crying. 🙂
U boj
Pretty sure there are no emergency call ups for the World Cup. 22 to the end.
Lovren the wall .
=U=
@Slavonac-here I thought biggest winners of the day were all of us on this board. But your wife gonna have the best day of all.
@Soul- how poetic, Kalinic punks out and you get to see your dream of Kova at wing. 2games in a row he has found himself in front of goal with nobody but the goalie, not easy to do considering the lack of minutes.
@Crnkovic- Wat?? Are u rooting for Denmark or something? Full strength? If Rakitic, Vrsaljko, Mandzukic, and Rebic see yellow in the game, they miss out the next game. We will beat or tie Iceland with some of those guys on the bench. To think, Kalinic could have played a full 90 vs Iceland if he didn’t bitch so much.
Holy Jeez Pjaca and Corluka not nearly same post-injury. When is it too late to bring on another player due to injury? If Pjaca & Corluka get injured vs Iceland can we call up Halil & Mitrovic?
what a day for us all. ajmooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Would prefer Kramaric over Rebic. Unfortunately Rebic is a hot head, and will cause damage by getting a red card no doubt.
@ Slavonac
Best post of your illustrious career.
After give otomendi a BX beat down ..
Punk ass SA scrubs.
Ref let it be physical and we gave them ZDS match.
Well it looked like a lot of my predictions came true.
Rebic snuck in a lead for us as predicted and mandzukic goofed on a gimme shot
The modric goal was low odds class
And the rakitic goal was a cherry on the cake when Argentina just broke down. Although he deserved it after having a ball kicked at him when he was down and being speared earlier
This is the type of game us fans watch and wait for. Where luck happens and all clicks to produce this kind of result
I thought rakitic was very good. But was disappointed to see him lay on the ground for five minutes while Argentina attacked just because he got the wind knocked out of him
Croatia still needs to replace mandzukic with kramaric
Rebic has largely been disappointing to me. Sets a good aggressive tone but absolutely wild. He was on the clock to get thrown out. And he completely blundered that breakaway which is supposed to be his thing
…one more thing!
Otamendi could lick my left nut!
@ BZ
Break it down Brate!!
For years we have been crapped on by the lazy cynical Hrvati.
Now we got it going on.
6 – TBD by opponent.
8 – Rakitic
10 – Modrić
That’s how the middle has to line up.
Kovačić needs to be on the field for 90 against Iceland.
Pjaca needs a run out.
@ Lovren
Best run of your life.
You have come back from adversity and are fulfilling your potential as CB.
I went to watch the game at a place beside my work…it was amazing…120″ screen and the environment was perfect.
I’ll comment on the game later…I’m gonna go home, kiss my kids and bend my wife over…dobit ce slavonsku kobasicu!
PS…Anonymous, you really are a hater and make some of the stupidest comments, I’m really tired of miserable people like you. Mandzukic made a good effort on that head ball. Yes he should have scored and yes he would if he had another shot at it…but you singling him out is plain and simply retarded. find yourself a hobby or go bang a sheep, you have some negative energy built up inside you!
negativac!
not bad at all. really loved how the players went toe to toe with argentina physically. both teams dirty fouls all day. that should give the boys the confidence they need. i want to see us go 100% at iceland as well….we need to show them who is boss. keep the momentum keep the desire. dont play a second string team. that almost always backfires as the main players lose focus. its not worth it. play to WIN vs Iceland
Tactical win Messi was stopped
Rebic was a liability in the first could have easily been sent off and he lost the ball A LOT
Great play we had many chances
Let’s avoid France
FUK otamendi.
Raki should have taken a yellow like brozo
Did anyone else notice how red vrsaljkos eyes were?
probably the most significant WC win since Germany in ’98
Um Ante K, you can change that top 5 World cup goals list right now. Modric #1
Brozo killed it at #6, allowed Rakitic & Modric do what no other midfield can do. Soul Champ, you were right about him being a World Class #6 (this game) when you help shut down Messi like that, no better test on earth.
Rebic was scary, but to be fair, he was pushed into the player on his yellow card. What a goal! Congrats. Love watching you beat up players like Portugal and others beat up Midric & Rakitic in the past.
Vrsaljko, bad ass defensive RB. Did a great job with link up play on offense too.
Subasic, have no idea how you weren’t tested yet again. You better be ready when your number is called.
Lovren-you have finally made it off my shit list for refusing to play. Great play.
Vida- just spectacular again.
Mandzukic-A winner at heart, great defending when needed again.
Perisic- we know your turn is coming soon. Just don’t go dying your hair again.
Strinic-Solid again, just needs to stay back as he has been doing.
In what world is kicking a ball into somebody’s head while the person is down after a foul, not a red card?
When Vrsaljko was viciously stamped in a dangerous position, not only wasn’t a yellow shown, no foul was called at all.
Hard fouls by both teams, but tv coverage focusedon Croatian fouls. Whatever.
How about that Rakitic free kick?
Bez rijeci !!
Waiting 20 years for a World Cup match at this magnitude.
That game was delicious…a taste of ‘98!
Modric has to be one of the best players on Earth. Goodness me he’s so good, we’re so lucky to have him, what a legenda
Sad znate .. Vatreni !!
Dalić is in flow pulling the strings.
Did we see Kovačić on the left wing?
Did we see Brozovic at CDM?
Did we see BOTH Modrić i Rakitic play at their WORLD-CLASS LEVEL?
ZDS
First time I can remember that both Modric and Rakitic played so well while on the pitch together.
Modric is our best player ever.
Hoping for a draw or Nigeria win tomorrow so we can rest some players with certainty of topping the group.
A year or so ago there was some discussion about whether Luka was our best player ever.
And i kinda laughed it off and said get real, Suker, then Boban, then Prosinecki, then maybe Luka.
But i have to say im coming round. This little genius is so brilliant i think he needs to be considered in that way. Fuck me he’s good, his passing is the best in the world – i dont think anyone doubts that – but now his shooting in euro2016 and this WC when we need him, fuck he’s good. He’s a real captain. Love this little guy!
all my comments are awaiting moderation so im not allowed to talk but yeah, yay
Bring on the Danes!!
I loved everything about Rebic’s performance.
The one foul he had on dude he kicked him, Charlie horsed him and fell on his back.
Exactly what we could’ve used against Portugal. Argentina tried getting chippy with us and got absolutely bullied.
Beautiful fuckin day!!
🙂
(moderation so reposting cos it makes no difference)
A year or so ago there was some discussion about whether Luka was our best player ever.
And i kinda laughed it off and said get real, Suker, then Boban, then Prosinecki, then maybe Luka.
But i have to say im coming round. This little genius is so brilliant i think he needs to be considered in that way. Fuck me he’s good, his passing is the best in the world – i dont think anyone doubts that – but now his shooting in euro2016 and this WC when we need him, fuck he’s good. He’s a real captain. Love this little guy!
A year or so ago there was some discussion about whether Luka was our best player ever.
And i kinda laughed it off and said get real, Suker, then Boban, then Prosinecki, then maybe Luka.
But i have to say im coming round. This little genius is so brilliant i think he needs to be considered in that way. Fuck me he’s good, his passing is the best in the world – i dont think anyone doubts that – but now his shooting in euro2016 and this WC when we need him, fuck he’s good. He’s a real captain. Love this little guy!
Svaka čast
I’m ecstatic, Rebić gol was fantastično
Luka Modric best player in the world!!! Oozes class on off the field and if anyone disagrees you know , JEBI SE!!!
Zivjela Croacija!!!!
fellow new england croats
i need to find a viewing location now that we are in knockout.. I cant keep tearing my living room apart
any bars in the area?
Rakitic MOTM!
idemooooooo!
GO EAT TURKEY, TRUTH!
Incredible result. Some luck early on with Argentina missing the sitter. Great team effort…good thing they didn’t take Rebic off after the first half. Incredible effort from everyone! U Boj!
VOLIM PITI VOLIM PITI
gold all around.
No class Messi, dubre
Thank God!
Thank God!
Well, this is the best. This is actually possibly our best ever win. I’m speechless. I’m absolutely lost for words.
All i can say is today is the BEST day to be Croatian. What a fucking performance! Time to party like it’s 1998 boys!
Absolute domination in that 2nd half. Argentina were horrible! On we march. Ajmo!!!
KAKAV MESSI
Holy fuck! We needed that!
IDEMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
CROATIAN FIREPOWER ON FULL DISPLAY!!!!
Euphoria!!!
“A mi smo im dali tricu, pa su kući otišli”
Luka, legenda
Tell the trolls to shut up
Bjezite ljudi!!
Ale ale ale ale!!!!!!
Ajmoooooo!!! Woooooohoooooo Modric!!!!’
My Lord… that was beautiful
LUKA!!!!!!
They cant fall back and park the bus now, must keep on pressing
When this match started, the first few minutes, im sitting here pissing my pants in fear and anxiety, shaking with nerves, and im thinking to myself; why do we put ourselves through this? Why be fans? Why do this and suffer all this anxiety?
But after that goal i remember why we do it!
😀
Wooohooooo!!!
Omg thank you Rebic finally saved yourself
To!!!!!
OKAY FORGET WHAT I SAID ABOUT REBIC
every minute Rebic is on the field he is likely to kick someone in the balls or headbutt someone so he needs off and also Dalic sound send him for anger management or psychotherapy cos that cunt seriously has issues and needs to simmer the fuck right down
Mandzukic certainly missed a sitter, but so did Argentina. We should wait to see if Argentina adjusts their line up and then sub Rebic off a couple minutes into the half.
Had some chances. Would’ve been nice for kramaric to be on the opposite end of some of those plays
So far the one big positive is we have completely shut down Messi
And we are playing ugly as I feared. Bring in kovacic for that goon rebic and let’s at least play well even if we lose. This is like the Portugal match at the last euro.
Rebic off Krama on…Mandza and Krama can do a little switching throughout the half.
There you go with Mandzukic needs service??? Lmao what a joke of a header
Definitely need to sub Rebic before he gets a second yellow. Our defenders need to be a bit quicker with passes out of the back. Several times we almost got caught being too nonchalant. I would like to see Modric get a bit more of the ball too, but I’m sure they’re marking him tightly.
All the idiot rebic lovers, he has more red cards than goals. Our defence is offensively flat as always that is why we can’t control midfield and never do. I cringe when strinic or vida have ball.
Yes Rebic should come off, but who on tho Pjaca or Kramaric?
We cant keep wasting chances like this, especially when the other team has players like messi and aguero who can pull goals out of nowhere
WTF has to happen for an Argentina card? Stomp on Vrsaljko and slide tackle taking out Modric. This is effing unbelievable.
Rebic needs to be subbed off…he’s a liability at this point and is a red card waiting to happen today.
Yes, tactically, i tip my hat to Dalic. He’s done it well and is def winning the technical battle, we had the best chances. But as i say Rebic is about to get a red just like he did last WC (some things never change i see) so he needs to come off.
Imagine if Modric’s pass at the end was to Krama and not Rebic?
It’d be 1-0
Guess olic and rebic same kind of player but olic had more finish
Let’s see what the 2nd half brings
Both teams made mistakes
I think we had the overall better chances tho
Jesus christ rebic! Works hard but has no technical ability.
Yes Rebic needs to be subbed at half-time if he even makes it that for, put on someone with half a brain at least instead
is Rebic this psychotic for his club teams or does he only do this for the repka? He’s too much of a liability. Any important game he is likely to get a red, i don’t want him on the team
Messi has been shut down
Rebic off right away he’s gonna get sent off
This red has sent him off already
F’in A Rebić
REBIC is a disaster
he had his face in the ref’s face and now he’s fouling badly
he will get a red card any minute now
goodness me if Mandzu can’t score that open header, i just can’t see him ever scoring for us
Too much fucking around with these back passes, gonna get burned. Subasic has touched the ball the most
Man Dalic is winning this tactical battle HANDS DOWN atm
Sime shouldve done way better there, had a open man in the middle. Smh
Man Perisic had a cracker shot, he’s looking lively
Hmm… other then messi and aguero this argentina lineup doesn’t seem too threatening
Fingers crossed, toes crossed, cock and balls crossed
plz plz let us to not lose.. so anxious i need one of those adult nappies lmao
LETS GO VATRENI
we’re wearing black boys!
It would be awesome if the big surprise was a 3-5-2. Perisic on left.
@ Idemo
His form the last 3 months was world class … his FORM as deep lying CDM, hence the big time transfer interest.
Let’s focus on Argentina!
yup, statement win like we had against Spain last Euros. And Germany prior to that.
Interesting to see Brozo get the call. Once he came on in the Nigeria game and Modric moved forward, the momentum changed back in our favor. Ajmoooooo!!!!
Time to show we are an elite team.
Croatia 2-1
I need brozo to stay with messi. whever he is in the final 3rd with or without the ball he needs to be on him
Like I mentioned a few days ago, Brozovic will start. Praised by the Croatian media for stabilizing the midfield when he came on against Nigeria.
@Franjio -try SAAN TV. about $4-5 a month. When registrating, come up with a fake address/phone number in Croatia, then you can use any debit card.
what has kova shown you other than raw talent?
Love Brozo on for Badelj (more offense) but would rather have Kova…but having Kova and Kramaric coming on as reserves sounds awesome too. Will have my final prediction after I see the lineup.
@anon- relax, we all have thought of who we might play next. Best part is: if we win today, we MIGHT have the luxury to choose. Group C’s final games are played 4 hours before us.
If we win today & If Iceland beats Nigeria today, we can start the following lineup vs Iceland if we want 2nd place….only problem is this lineup is still way better than Iceland.
—-Kramaric—-
Brozo-Kovacic-Pjaca
Badelj-Bradaric
Pivaric-Car-Corluka-Jedvaj
–3rd goalie–
If we are winning expect to see a hard yellow by Rakitic late in game so he can clear his yellows for knockout stages.
their flanks are weak! both Perisic and Rebic have to have an excellent game.
hold onto your balls iggy….
todays match is the real deal. all our questions will be answered. nothing much for us to say. its not just about qualifying for the last sixteen. its about showing we really mean business. that we are winners. we could lose today, beat iceland. avoid france. beat peru, get to quarters then lose to the next big team we play….i’d rather go out in the group stage. quarter finals means nothing. we have to beat argentina. show we are the best team in the tournament, not the 6th or 7th best..that means nothing…
#winner
bobby V LOL. you found me. i want whatever he’s drinking. with a straw…
Obviously really looking forward to this game. We will see how we stack up against one of the better teams. Dalic has been pretty good altering tactics depending on the opponent. I’m sure we will show up today. Curious to see if it’s Badelj or possibly Kovacic in for Krama.
U Boj!!!
It’s unreal how incredibly talented we are , I mean how many Croatian play for Australia?? A country that huge, and we dominate , unreal!!!!!
Why do u throw that word around so easily……world class he’s not even top 10 in the world maybe not even top 5 in Italy
Brozovic has been world class as a deep lying CDM for Inter and was big part in getting them to the CL.
We need our best technicians out the back as Argentina will come out pressing.
Kontra attack is on!!
@Lika Joey
Word up.
Dragi Prijatelji,
Is there an online video stream any recommends that would probably not be blocked at work? It seems they’ve already blocked the well known one’s.
Any help is greatly appreciated as I’m trying to avoid having to leave work early for “illness” 🙂
Hvala za pomoc!
brozovic for badelj
We do not want Peru , please. You say they suck, but the point is they can possibly top the group, you can win a game and not play well, happens all the time, I would rather play Denmark than France, I’m just saying watch us win the group and still have to face them, sports always works out in a strange way
It could be Australia tbh.
Aussies just need a few more penalties for handballs lmao
Gentlemen,
What live online stream(s) do you recommend that would probably not be blocked by my employer? Seems like all the well known one’s they’ve blocked 🙁
Any help is much appreciated! Enjoy the games.
Hvala!
If this rumored Argentina line up is playing they are ducked
Denmark sucks.
Did you watch them against Peru?
I hope we draw Denmark over France, Australia or even Peru for the Round of 16.
The funny part of all the analysis from everyone and everywhere is that we must win our group to avoid France. Well I got news for everyone, how the hell does everyone assume France will too their group, as if it is a given???? Have you guys been watching????? Prediction , we will win our group and still face France in next round. Denmark is the most underrated team in this tournament. This will be just our luck.
Son of tito, if Yugoslavia was still a country we wouldn’t have this beautiful jersey or team. Fuck Yugoslavia….and fuck you too!
Toronto Croatia, exactly brother! Spain, England, Germany, Italy…now Argentina! Boom!!!!!! Croatia time!
Haha yeah i saw the Nigerian dude on Facebook too
Luckily it’s not … now run along
What if Yugoslavia was still a country? Oblak (Atletico Madrid), Kolarov (Roma), Savic (Atletico Madrid), Lovren (Liverpool), Pjanic (Juventus), Matic (Manchester United), Modric (Real Madrid), Rakitic (Barcelona), Perisic (Inter Milan), Milenkovic-Savic (Fiorentina), Dzeko (Roma). Would definitely be one of the favorites.
@Bobby V
Haha, a Nigerian watching the game somewhere in Croatia. “Everyone is calling asking me who I’m cheering for” Too bad they cut video right when he started with the players names.
Haha! I seen this guy
https://www.facebook.com/sportskatv.net/videos/1695929950515182/
I finally found Crnkovic! Best video I’ve seen in awhile – speaks perfect Croatian – haha
We are going to win our group tomorrow.
I really feel like after Argentina’s gonna take out their massive frustration on us in this game and we’re gonna lose 2-0 or something, sorry guys!
Good thing is it’s no biggy even if we do lose, just need to beat iceland in the last game which is kinda what we all knew and expected the case to be anyhow.
I just pray we can somehow eke out a draw though cos then we can win the group.
Imagine if we got a round of 16 v Denmark? That is a very winnable game for us so we could go through to the quarters and then who knows?? 😀
When you think about Messi, you always picture him with Barcelona. He is much less effective with Argentina.
Don’t be fooled into thinking his reaction after the Iceland game was regarding the way he personally played.
Those that know him understand it was directed at his teammates.
That’s right
Everyone talking bout Messi’s last chance
What bout little Luka
The boys are ready
It was most passionate anthem the boys sang
Our fans are ready to rock it there
Nothing to do now but just enjoy
ZDS decki!
For those who are ‘scared’ …how many underdog victories has Croatia had on the world stage?
These types of games are made for us.
There are some lineups out that have Brozovic, not Badelj in for Kramaric. We shall see.
Hey Trump, can you just sit the fuck still for the next few weeks? You’re ruining my World Cup for fucks sake.
@Iggy – It’s all good.Truth will hold you.
Idemo, Messi is coming like his life is ending tomorrow. We are in the drivers seat…less pressure and pumped! We can beat them…Lovren and company need to be perfect tomorrow…Strinic needs a game like he had against Nigeria. Who scores first wins.
Iggy, we got this brother! We have real quality all over the pitch. 3 4 3 I read is there formation. It will block our counter attacks and wing play. Perisic and Rebic need to be on point tomorrow. Dalic needs his tactics bang on.
It’s a must win for Messi coming off a bad performance yeah if he’s on it we’re done
@ NK
Tooooo !!
Rebić scores and plays a pivotal role … transfer stock will soar.
He is made for this match.
tbh i think we’re fucked : /
IM SCARED. HOLD ME !
Rounding off the day’s action is Argentina against Croatia. ESPN Mexico’s Ricardo Puig has had some very good predictions so far during the tournament, and he’s the only one to go for Croatia here.
I think mexicanac is right,he’s got good insight ,apparently he’s made some awesome predictions so far in the game previews.
Their not there.
Lovro, tomorrow they will come out like we are raping there sisters!.They are playing for pride and Messi’s legacy.
I’ve watched a few of Argentina’s qualifiers last year. They seem to be playing with a lack of passion.
Down 0-1 to Ecuador in the last qualifier, they were eliminated at that point until Messi rescued them.
If it is not coming from him, it doesn’t come. There is something going on.
…and how is Paulo Dybala riding any national team bench?
Let’s hope we take advantage of their dysfunction. They made Iceland look better than they actually are.
Rebic will make a name for himself on the world stage in this one.