Official Lineup: Livaković – Juranović. Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa – Modrić, Brozović, Kovačić – Pašalić, Kramarić, Perišić
Croatia vs. Brazil on Friday will be the ultimate statement match for the Vatreni. It will be an opportunity to shut up the Brazilians, who have been practicing their dance moves more than their football at training this week. It will be a chance to solidify Croatia as a 21st century football world power. It will quiet all of those around the world who said 2018 was a fluke for Luka Modrić and company, who received an easy road to the World Cup Final in Russia.
All of that goes right out the window with a win versus Neymar and 5-time World Cup champions: Brazil.
The Vatreni have yet to turn on the jets and hit 2nd gear at this year’s World Cup. So what better time than now to have their best game? If you think our boys won’t get up for Brazil in the quarterfinals of the World Cup, you’re wrong. Is Brazil the favorite in this match? Absolutely (-250 in Vegas). But if Croatia can play with urgency, physicality, and purpose, they can very well win this match.
Look, Brazil is absolutely stacked with individual talent. There’s no secret to that. These guys play at the top clubs in Europe. I mean, Modrić himself plays alongside Vini, Militao, and Rodrygo at Real Madrid. Casemiro just left a few months ago to join Manchester United. Perišić plays with Richarlison at Tottenham. Kovačić plays with Thiago Silva at Chelsea. Big names. Big clubs.
So what? Croatia themselves have stars in Modrić, Kovačič, Perišić with Majer, Gvardiol, and Sosa quickly moving up the European ranks.
If I’m Dalić, I’m telling the boys to start the game as if they are down 1-0 already. I’m telling them to have the same purpose and urgency they had against Spain at EURO 2020 when the Vatreni scored two late goals at the end of the match to force extra time. I’m telling the boys to treat this match against Brazil as a World Cup Final. Simple as that. There’s no tomorrow. Leave everything on the field. Let’s play our best game of the tournament against Brazil!
Brazil are not a perfect team. They lost 1-0 to Cameroon in their group stage finale; which could have gotten them in trouble if they conceded once more, but didn’t. They also conceded once late to South Korea in their R16 match, albeit Brazil were already up 4-0.
If the above projected lineup is true, then Modrić, Kovačić, Brozović could shred through the Brazil midfield, which would only be comprised of one true midfielder in Casemiro. The rest of the gang are all attackers and can’t play defense. The Vatreni have always had trouble with the bunker. Morocco bunkered. Belgium were conservative for much of their match vs. Croatia. And of course, Japan played the bunker/counter strategy in the R16 match. Guess what, you will not see one ounce of bunker from Brazil in this match which mean there will be plenty of free-flowing football. With that said, what strategy should Dalić implement?
Croatia will have to win this match in the midfield. If they give Brazil unnecessary ball possession and don’t control the tempo of the game, it’s going to be a long 90 minutes for us. Brazil are the much speedier team.
So these are my keys to success:
-need to control the midfield and keep ball possession as close to 50-50 as possible
-take 1:1 chances. Don’t be afraid to shoot. Don’t be afraid to take your guy on 1:1
-cannot let Brazil score early. Croatia will be forced to open up which can open the floodgates. The longer this match stays close, the better for Croatia
-need to protect Juranović/Lovren in the back. Both are liabilities and will need extra support. Brazil are fast and can move the ball down field/flanks in 2 passes
I still worry about playing Kramarić; whether it’s up top as the #9 or on the right wing. Sure, he scored twice against Canada but Brazil is a different monster. Krama hasn’t done much since. And who can Dalić start as a striker/#9 in this match? Petković? No. Budimir? Nope. We have all complained about Krama up there as he hangs out on an island. Does that mean Marko Livaja is our best option? Maybe. A Hajduk Split striker is Croatia’s best option against Brazil in the quarterfinal of the World Cup. Such a crazy thought.
I wouldn’t be opposed to playing a 4-6-0. This game will have to be won in the midfield for us. Dalić will not do this, however, I envision Modrić, Kovačić, Brozović as the backline of the midfield with Perišić, Majer, Kramarić being the frontline. All parts are interchangeable which would allow, Kova especially, deep runs out of the back as he does for Chelsea.
Croatia needs to be emotional, but smart. This Brazil squad is capable of scoring quick goals that come out of nothing.
Croatia is playing with house money against Brazil. But this is a statement game that cements Croatia’s legacy even deeper into World Cup lore. Let’s see what the boys come up with. All I know is they haven’t had their best game at the World Cup…yet.
Kolo>Samba 🙂
I told you you my cousin Petko was gonna do something big but I said it against Canada tho anyway tako momci Hrvatska je prvo svetja =U= Za Dom
I told you you my cousin Petko was gonna do something big but I said it against Canada tho anyway take momci Hrvatska je prvo svetja =U= Za Dom
Greetings from Bulgaria! Didnt sleep, I’m very happy for you! Vs Argentina wish look and fingers crossed for england vs France! Vs england you will be favorite
Croatia – world 🏆!
I wonder how many of you skipped worked. Haha. Congrats to Petković from Metković. Živjela Hrvatska.
*skipped work
Why did it feel like brozo’s yellow was his second of the tournament?
Majer is fluid I don’t recall anyone having such smooth control of the ball as him even modric.
Does lovren get a move back to a bigger league if he keeps playing great and bottles Messi…do livakovic and JJ move as well?
GVARDIOL will no doubt be the most expensive transfer ever of a defender in no time.
If we beat the Argentines will they be sore losers and walk off without shaking our hands again?
“If we beat the Argentines will they be sore losers and walk off without shaking our hands again?”
Yes.
He may have done Crobro, I think yellow cards are wiped from quarters so that players aren’t suspended should they make the final.
Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel both miss the next game for Argentina. Acuna is the starting left back, and then Montiel replaced him off the bench today. What kind of advantage will this give Croatia for the upcoming game?
As far as Argentina missing Acuna I do believe it will help us.
Sofascore had him as their highest rated player behind Messi. I believe they will start Nicolás Tagliafico in his place. I don’t know much about him other than he plays for Lyon and has come in as a sub in all their WC games aside from the Mexico match.
Enjoy the fact that we can watch tomorrow’s games knowing we are still in this thing. We still have the privelidge to have a vested interest!!!!
So hard to watch with the same emotion when you are out. In the US no one cares unless i have gotten them to adopt Hrvatska as their team. But even so it’s not the same for them.
No matter what we get two more games and our name will be in the top 4!
I’m going to get flack for this but did our keeper TRULY make any great saves in regulation and OT?The toe save from josko was his best!Most shots were a few feet from his mid section and easy!
Neymar’s goal he could have snatched the ball off his feet yet inexplicably pulled his arms back?
Juranovic was MOTM!
Yeah you are going to get flack. He made like 9 saves. At least 3 of them when we was 1v1 with the attacker and had to get down low and block with his legs.
Suggest you watch the highlights and unless he is decisive and comes out hard and makes himself big to cut the angle, this game is 3-0.
Livakovic made some amazing saves today, what are you on about? Yeah a lot of shots were straight to keeper, but there were at least 3 that were very smart saves.
I’ve read through the comments and also was looking at the rules for yellow card suspensions for the semis and I was still confused. I found a recent article that explains it well and wanted to share.
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/world-cup-yellow-cards-suspended-semi-finals-rules/pxir6jgj1i7qoh6ukmylaamb
So it looks like we’re safe for suspensions and Argentina will be missing Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel.
We’re at it again! Still recovering from this emotional day, still pinching myself to see if I’m dreaming. Props to my fellow Zadrani Domi Liva, game of his life. On to Tuesday
Dalic or Ciro in a do or die situation? Dalic’s record is unbelievable when you think about it. I’m a basher too btw
Simply euphoric. 6 hours later and I still haven’t recovered. I have a huge physics final in 3 days but I can’t even sit down to study. When we scored that game tying goal I almost passed out- screamed so loud I lost my voice, blood rushed to my head almost knocking me out lol. Then I fell to the floor in tears. This fucking team is unbelievable. Nasa domovina is simply incredible, and every day I remind myself how lucky I am to be Croatian!!
The step up for this match was beyond beautiful. Our stars shone, but what won us this game, was our biggest “liabilities” finally growing into their own and grabbing the world by the balls saying “WE FUCKING BELONG”. The Croatian mentality is unmatched. Always was and always will. As Napoleon stated, “Give me 100 000 Croatians, and I would conquer the world”.
We’ve come back from the dead in all seven of our last knockout stage matches, winning five (5/6 if you only count the WC).
Livakovic’s balls have finally dropped, so now he gets to display just how talented a keeper he is. I never doubted his reflexes and shot-stopping ability, but I always believed his confidence issues and lack in decision making made him an awful goalie. But oh boy has he proven EVERYONE wrong with these performances. He has a top 3 chance to win the fucking golden glove! If you had told me that coming into this tournament I’d have called the mental institute on your behalf.
Josip Juranovic!! What a stud. I’ve doubted his defensive abilities time and time again (as well as his height, being a defender), but he proved us all wrong here today- and to do it against Brazil as well! Wow! He’s got blistering speed (even outpaced Vini Jr) and when he’s on his game defensively, he’s an amazing right-back.
Lovren as well has gotten so much shit from myself and all Croatian fans. Dude is pulling these master-classes out of his ass right now and his partnership with Gvardiol makes them the best CB duo in the damn tournament. I love it.
Modric was ok, but he was mauled by 3 Brazilians every time the ball came near him. Despite this, he still managed to get a good performance in and helped draw all the attention to him, allowing our other players to do their thing.
What a time to finally put in a decisive showing! Our attack was still toothless today but that was a given considering we went up against the best nation in the world (on paper).
Dalic substitutions were also very key and BOY are we fucking LEGENDS when it comes to penalties! That being said, I do not want to get to penalties against Argentina. If anyone will beat them there, its us, but their keeper has massive balls and knows how to get in your head. I’d give us the best odds of any team to take them on when it comes to PKs, but let’s just give it to ’em like we did in 2018 and get this game over in 90 😉
My player ratings:
Liva- 9.5/10 (only docked him .5 because I do believe he could’ve got a hand in there on Neymar’s dribble around him)
JJ- 9/10
Lovren- 8.5/10
Gvardiol- 8.5/10
Sosa- 6.5/10
Brozovic- 7/10
Modric- 7/10
Kovacic- 7/10
Pasalic- 7/10 (defensive contributions were great but he did nothing in attack)
Kramaric- 5.5/10
Perisic- 7.5/10
Dalic- 9/10
Petkovic- I don’t even know. He was stinky the whole time but scored the game winner. Bit of luck? Maybe 😉
He was very poor and struggled to keep the ball under their constant pressure however
You’re the best bro, very well said!
Petkovic only scored because the ball took a deflection
lelz. you want to play that game?
Balls still in the back of the net, right?
It doesn’t take a deflection if he doesnt shoot.
Petkovic doesnt shoot if he doesnt get himself open at the top of the box and hit the shot 1 time.
Orsic doesnt get the ball if 3 passes before – modric doesn’t win the ball and the bobbled clearance doesn’t find its way to a white jersey.
We don’t get to play in this game if Lukaku doesnt hit the post a week and a half ago.
So?
I had sosa a bit more
I thought he did quite well covering back on some defensive plays
He does lack pace to get himself more open for his crosses… which ya there isn’t many guys to hit with it but still we need him to deliver one killer cross for a goal!
Maminjo really knows shit about soccer.
All that talk of his for what. Lmfao.
The players and coach that his puts down keep producing.. If he was runnng this team we wouldn’t be in world cup.
Lol.
Boli me kurac dodi messi jeba sebe
Looks like two Argentinian defenders miss the next game.
Their starting LB Acuna and a bench defender Montiel both are out next game.
I’m actually amazing how many Argentian fans were there. Out of the 90,000 fans it seemed like 70,000 were Argentinian. It will
be like a home game for them again but we are up for it.
Remember the days when some budala on the site would say we were ‘mental midgets’?
How things have changed…mentally we are the strongest team in the World Cup.
This day just keeps on getting better!!
Argentina taken to extra time.
Messi jogging more than he has to.
Their match went past midnight.
Brazil then Argentina!!
Toooooooooooooooo
JJ has earned himself a big time move.
Vlašić has been impressive, he is made for the Argentina match.
Budimir to run for a half and then bring on Petković/Kramaric.
Our midfield is transcendent.
Oršić earlier.
The world gets to see who we are Tuesday, once again!!
I’m assuming Orsic was still a bit sick or not fully recovered hence the late sub – i didnt expect to see him at all. The few more days will hopefully be enough for him to participate more now.
When Vinicius Junior was eating his golden plated steaks, and tossing mali lavovi to the floor, I knew it was not good karma for Brazil.
Asparagus reading psychic predictions, that Croatia will win, seem to be getting more correct each day.
I also read that regarding them dancing after each goal vs Korea, one of their players was asked about the celebrations before the Cro game and he said “actually we have celebrations worked out for up to 10 goals”. Not really inviting good karma there either.
Damn that Argentina keeper is good at saving penalties
Iggy! we are in trouble if it goes to a shoot out . Incase anyone noticed couple of are kicks today were real close to the post. When we shoot against this keeper it needs to be wide and high cannot be low . its mental . I hope Dom was watching how Messi took his kicks. He has missed before. Messi has learned . He waits and shoots comely. Dom will not stay still as possible and messi will not run up to shoot. That how it should be done. run ! and charge that ball and blast it in . We cannot allow it to go to penalty shoot out. No way . We need to beat them in 90 minutes . Not because of the keeper. We roll the dice to many times and eventually you shoot craps
Very glad Argentina and Holland taking each other to extra time and many cards dished out, i heard at least 1 or 2 players will miss so that’s good. Want them to bash each other up lol.
BTW did you guys see that Argentina cunt who fouled the dutch guy, then booted the ball full power at the dutch bench? And then they ran on and that caused the melee. Reminded me a bit of Otamendi kicking the ball into Rakitic’s head. Argentina are kinda cuntish arent they?
Someone said the cards are cleared after this game.
yeah but some of the argentinians were on cards and got a second so they are out.
its only cleared if you arent already suspended
Seemed like it should of been back to back yellows there.
I’m thinking the Dutch would be better. More of a balanced fan base and plus we beat them before. I ain’t scared of the orange.
Why guess is providence wants us to face Japan/Brazil/Argentina and our nemesis France to complete the Daivd & Goliath run. We surely can’t win again, or can we?
Still on floating on cloud 9.
You and me both buddy!! When Petko scored that goal I jumped out of my seat!!!
So happy he scored as those pundits were writing him off in the last game, I only hope that Livaja has a chance to do the same.
I have learned to stop doubting our players, I think many were like me and fell in this cycle and trap.
If they can manage to do again what they did today. Either way this win is so huge for them!! What they are capable of and what they can do when they have the tenacity and show that fighting spirit.
So many players played well from the whole midfield to Lovren, Juranovic, Livakovic, Perisic all of them.
https://youtube.com/shorts/LR2j-hXx0_0?feature=share
Does anyone know if the yellow cards from today carry over to next game?
No, they are cleared after the QF. So no Croatian player misses the semi.
Ante release the post-win party video/commentary! AJMO !!!!!
Oh my I was watching at 2-0 and had some stuff to do
Jebote time to watch again
crazy game.
The good news is both teams are going to OT. It will hopefully tire their legs and the two teams are fighting non stop. Maybe we can get a suspension.
In assessing the two teams, I don’t really know and not sure I really care too much. I think Argentina would probably be better to play as they will have less discipline and grit than Holland. In many ways, they are a lesser Brazil, where we can play with some similarities of controlling the midfield, but they’re not as deadly as Brazil that we can play a more balanced game and attack some more.
The down side is as someone said, it looks like a home game for Argentina out there.
yeah i can pretty much agree with this.
Mentally, Croatia are so resilient. They took penalties facing the Brazil side, and it didn’t phase them. Let it be like a home game, I think it will only motivate the Croatians more.
Amazing goal by the Dutch…shut the fans up pretty quick. Lol.
wow Holland
I dont really like how some players are just putting nicknames or first names on the back of their jerseys. I prefer what our guys do just have the proper surname on the back. It kinda cheapens it with dudes just having nicknames on the back like its some sunday league
Who is more bitter? Rebic, Brazil, fifa, or every Croat hating Serb(including Borjan) or Canadas coach??
Answer, all of the above;)
What’s the drama with Rebic? I never got to the bottom of why he wasn’t called for the team and what went down
One of the bad things about playing argentina as opposed to holland would be.. omg look at the stands, 99% argentina fans, there’s like a couple dozen orange and the rest of the stadium appears to be blue and white
so we would have the fans against us (again) just like vs brazil
it seems not many europeans came to qatar ? all the other teams appear to have way more support
Croatia took penalties facing the Brazil side, and it didn’t phase them. Let it be like a home game, I think it will only motivate the Croatians more.
As Ziva said below
We really played this interesting possession/bunker type
The other teams who try to bunker with Brazil can’t do what we can with the ball technically
So do we roll out orsic and Perisic and let them change sides as they go?
I had doubts about Dom. Today was the test and he came through. I made a dozen saves that kept us in the game and the shootout him making that save won us the game. I am glad he came through and proved me and others wrong about him. Respect to him. I am proud of him. He found form and proved he belongs playing at this level
Well said
What an awesome win! What’s everyone’s opinion on who we want to play next??? Which one is the better matchup?
You Livakovic haters need to apologize!
I agree
at Like Joey , I already did. He had doubts about him. But he over came his insecurities, he believed in himself and showed himself and others that he is great keeper. He may win the golden gloves just yet.
Yeah I was a doubter for the longest time. It was his confidence that seemed to hold him back with being indecisive. He’s flying high now and his play has improved because of it.
I thought Orisic had the flu?
Probably deception…paid off:)
No, i think he really was sick, thus the last minute sub. Not that he’s been getting much more playing time regardless when he was healthy. he needs to be played more!
Was it me or were the Fox announcers referring to Pasalic as Petkovic for the first 20 minutes of the game?
Yes, then he finally got it right, lol
What a bunch of selac’s
I actually preffered the Fox announcers over the local announcers here in Europe…believe it or not…they also shouted out for two yellow cards for the Brazilian Oscar performers who were filming for penalties…Well done!
Hi Sepp ,
Lol yeah I caught that to . Good question don’t know
Thankfully now we get 5 days rest before the semi, unlike before this game where we only got 3 while some other teams get 5.
Unfortunately no, we play Tuesday. Today is Friday.
Again, 3 full days rest and we go again on day 4.
how is that not rigged? No way it’s a coincidence, that France England Argentina got that many days rest. Brazil was victim to it too. Perhaps to weaken them As you know everyone thought we were gonners
Argentina played a full 120 minutes though which I’m so happy about
We play Tuesday, so three full days off.
Wow how dangerous Orisic was with the ball, first time he got it! Ran at the Brazilian defense and then squares a perfect ball across the 16. Not to many players can do that! World Class!
This guy needs to start on the RW next match.
I agree, I hope Dalic plays him more.
I don’t see Dalic changing things that much and bringing in his 4th/5th option off the bench to start. I feel like I can’t question him at this point because he’s had the Midas touch so far.
I’d love to watch this game again later but Juranovic & Livakovic with excellent games. Tactically we did exactly what we needed to. If we open up too much Brazil could easily punish. We picked out spots then threw everything at them to tie it. Our midfield was very good, Gvardiol and Lovren were great…we are all eating our words with Lovren!
Regardless of Petko scoring he really wasn’t great. A lucky deflected goal – but I’ll take it!
If we had a decent true striker we would be an excellent team. Orsic with the perfect pass to Petko and an even more perfect penalty – (even though he was sick). Hopefully Orsic starts next game as it would be well deserved….
Another happy day to be a Hrvat…u Boj!
Everything went perfectly according to plan. Just beautiful
Question for all you armchair experts:
who do we match-up against better….
Netherlands or Argentina??
probably similar vs either
But did you see the shots of Argentina fans going nuts when Croatia won? If it is them, they will be overconfident. (and not rightly so)
Argentina hates Brazil so they’re probably just happy that Brazil got knocked out.
Yeah i took it that way too, i didnt think they were saying yay an easy semi, i think they were happy to see their rivals lose is all. I wouldnt take that personally.
I was thinking maybe Argentina cos Holland look like a bunker team tbh
Argentina I think
What a win!!! Great team effort…I still can’t believe we came back! This will go down in history, as one of the greatest Croatian wins! 🇭🇷
It’s a win, but technically it’s a draw.
haha yes technically a draw as all penalty games are but lets call it then one of our greatest VICTORIES ever, can’t argue with that semantically 😉
All the times I rubbished petkovic lovren and livakovic and they have been match winners!!! Every player stepped up. 2018 was not luck. I cant believe petkovic made me cry
Honestly, when he put Petkovic I was like jesus what a mistake, and that guy ended up scoring. I mean thank god, because the entire time leading up to that he didn’t do anything, he was slow and lost possession of the ball constantly.
Saw a meme with Liva diving to make a save and “Minister for Defence” text behind him, heh. It’s so wonderful that the guys we perceived as being weaknesses have turned out to be our greatest strengths.
I will never criticise liva ever again
The legend of Livakovic .. grows !!
Bog i Hrvati
Petković produced !!
That orsic pk just is mesmerizing
JJ and sosa both putting in top performances and effort
Is broz card erased or were they erased before this match?
Erased now for semis.
Hvala bogu
Proud to be a Croat
All the way now
Four knockout games in the last two WCs 2nd round and QF, and down 1-0 in each and win all 4 in penalties. That will never be done again. Hell, I didn’t think that could have been done once, never mind twice in two WCs.
Wow what a win. Like I said, a loss was the most likely outcome but we had a punchers chance and happened to connect.
Win or lose i was proud of the team for how they played even before the Petko goal.
Prior to that goal I kept saying to myself, I can’t believe Petkovic is playing in a world cup… both because of him not being that good , but mostly he seemed to be the only croatian player who refused to run like this was a Sunday futsul game.
Thrilled to see Livakovic and Lovren prove the doubters wrong.
Hilarious to see on Alexi Lalas player rankings for the World Cup on Fox Sports, for him to put Livakovic at spot number 4.
The odds that someone would consider Livakovic a top 5 player at the World Cup going in are powerball-esque
Croatia had an interesting strategy. Not a pure bunker…but a possession like bunker of trying to kill large parts of the clock and never really over expose themselves. They never really got anything going offensively as they refused to ever commit players forward until they were down.
Hrvatksa invented a new style. Keep away possesion off of their goal kicks. Strategic passing between their 18 box and just past center for minutes at a time. Literally a strategy to slow the game and control the timeline. I don’t even know what to call it. Their intent wasn’t to go forward but they had such master class technical skill they did it with ease. Most teams would lose the ball. AJMO!
sljivovica all weekend!!!! Let’s celebrate!!!!
Tactical win by Dalic. Saved the subs so was able to throw on the attacking players at the end. Amazing match. Never give up! And Livakovic is on Alexi Lalas’ Top Ten Power Ranking!
6 WC, 3 Semi-finals. 50% of your WC we go to the semis, must be a record. No one does what we do.
Croatia played a great game !!!!
That let their guard down for just a minute and Neymar snuck in.. they held on though scored an equalizer and took it penalties and showed the world who the better team was today!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations 🍾 to the Croatia 🇭🇷 on an amazing victory! What an exciting game!!!!!
VOLIM PITI VOLIM PITI!
Having celebratory pints on the back in -2C temps.
Let’s enjoy this. I LOVE THIS TEAM.
Hehe. Ajmo decki!!!!
Only way that petkovic was ever going make a case for himself was with a goal.
And happened to be the biggest goal of the tournament.
I’m still not convinced, but i will take it.
OMG wtf we won !?!?!?
i watched 95 mins and i couldnt take the stress so i took a nap i cannot believe we did it!!!!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSS !!!!!!!!!!
Iggy how the fuck could you nap during that.
When we went down 1-0 i stopped watching for 5 minutes and went to a meeting and someone ran in and said we scored. I knew if we could hold the tie we were goldent.
We are mental giants.
And Lovren is still the best defender in the world.
No Serbs have stolen our mental midget belt and ran off with it
What’s great is these young guys are just getting warmed up for the future
A NAP??
Someone should kick you in the 🥜
LOL dude u know how much torture it is watching these games when they are always so nailbiting, my poor little heart can only take so much lmao
This is a win we will tell our children about.
Absolutely. This team just never quits, never doubts. Hearts of champions! What a victory!!!
It’s only 10am but I’m already drunk. What a game by the boys! Was questioning that pekovic sub all the way up to the goal, but he made me eat my words.
NEMA PREDAJE
Liva making me eat my words again. And Petkovic too!
What incredible game management from Dalic. I’m happy he’s made me look silly because this was one of the best games I’ve seem these guys play. I can’t believe it.
Now we see who awaits us, AJMOOOOOOO
ZDS!
I’m so grateful for this victory and first of all I wanna put this in a few of your face!
How do you like Livakovic now? I’ve been reading non stop hate on him from many of you for years and hopefully now you’ll get this in your head that he’s not shit, he’s a great shot stopper and every goalie has their weaknesses…he’s much better than many of you have ever given him credit for!
I’m thankful to God for this…let’s all enjoy the moment!
I am looking for ways to eat my words regarding liva
To defend us who did we had the same gripe luka talked about on actual Netflix;) he was playing timid
We all know he is an excellent shot stopper but he was playing timid for a long time and it was clearly having an affect on the team
With that being said, he has been God mode and we all knew we need him hot for a month
Now if we can get a hot striker
Maybe petko If he had the work rate of olic/mandzo he would be absolutely world class
But hey we are here. Another legit shot at being world champion
Absolute insanity brothers
As much as people criticize Livakovic, I have been saying that for 2 years that he is a very good shot stopper. I have seen him make saves at times where he has no business making saves. He scares me on crosses and his decision-making on when to come out to close down the angle for shots has been bad in the past. I always thought if he could get some good coaching, that he could be a very good goalie. Livakovic has shown in the last 2 or 3 games of the WC that he has learned a little bit in the last while and that he has worked on his weaknesses. He has been great against Japan and Brazil!
I don’t want to see anything on this site that Livakovic, Lovren and Juranovic are shit ANYMORE!! Liva and Lovren have been outstanding in this WC. Again today, Lovren was brilliant alongside Gvardiol and Livakovic again saved our WC. Enough is enough!!!
Agree with you man, Livakovic man of the match followed by Juranovic.
Everyone played well they gave it all. I was critical of Petkovic and then he scores. Orsic came on and assisted for the goal.
Also well done to Dalic.
Yes we had luck, but luck favors the brave.
You tell ’em JohnnyV! 👍
Ajmo!
Jeboteeeee!!!!!! Ajmo!!
Don’t ever underestimate us!!!
Wooooooooooooo!!!
Ajmo Vatreni!!! We can win it all!!!!
JJ and Livakovic all game!!
YEßSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!
Tickets just went on sale for the Brazilian mens national football team all accross Brazil Samba tour!
legendary
Too much space. Smh.
Juranovic has been exceptional today. Hopefully Liva has turned a corner as he’s actually looking confident.
Petko is so slow & lazy it’s unreal. I can’t wait until our young up and coming strikers make their way into the team. We need just one.
Why does Dalic love Petkovic so much?
Petko just put us back in the game, we need to stop underestimating all of our players
What’s pissing me off is how we’re constantly giving them space and letting them dribble. JJ and Livakovic to the rescue!
Honestly Neymar is such a diver. People dont touch him at all and he goes down like he got sniped, and worst of all he gets up HOBBLING as if to say omg that was so bad, just to put it in the ref’s mind that he is a victim. Really poor form.
JJ and Livakovic are saving us.
ironic given the dislike for both of them on this site in recent weeks and months hehe
Vlasic Pickles for the win
This is prolly about when Orsic would have been coming on.. sigh
Brazil getting frustrated, but man – we got nothing on offense
Liva has been doing really well for us these past couple games got to say, he’s really turned a corner
Okay, the stage is set… time for Marko Livaja!
First half thoughts
JJ’s got wheels 🛞 he needs to keep it up
He’s sparking offense
Pasalic looks scared and confused when they pass him the ball in the middle of the field
Perisic just needs to tune and tweak his attack and put one in
Modric playing strong
Brazil is trying to cheat
Flopping and pretending they got stun gunned by an invisible man and falling
And the ref goes for it?
Where’s Kramaric ?
Great first half. Dominating midfield and best game I’ve seen Juranovic play for us. Geez we miss a Mandzukic-like target to hit.
Everything is going according to plan
Brazil left side is weak. Juranovic is exploiting it..maybe add Vlasic or someone with pace, other than Pasalic to keep pressing it..
You guys now see what I was saying about Juranovic?!
Either vini is Screwing the pooch or JJ taking him to school
I would seriously like to see him and stanisic on that right side one day
Put JJ as our right wing
Or three at the back with him and sosa on our sides
Anyways. That high boot other way around. We would probably get two reds for it somehow;)
May the universe balance out with a proper win by us
Duck fifa and their agenda.
Let’s keep it up!!!
Ajmo!!!!!
JJ played against Vini Jnr twice this season for Celtic vs Real so maybe he learnt a thing or two
JJ MOTM atm
How the hell is that not a red card? Juranovic took a high foot stab to the face.
Kramaric is useless.
Juranovic best player on the pitch.
Why did that ref stop our attack? So any defender can just fall down?
Yeah that was kinda bs
pasalic already looks tired. do we bring in someone for brozovic cause he is on a yellow right now
JJ is honestly our player of the half so far
JJ is killing it!
Well, we’re playing really well. Of course the threat is always we have some near misses and then they go down the other end and just bang one in at first chance.
Well, we’ve survived the first 10 mins so that’s something lol
I see something like a 3-1 Brazil win aided of course by FIFA/refs. You know, the usual bi-annual bs. Hope I’m wrong.
Feels like we’ve had a lot of bad luck with “offside” calls this WC, the japan goal, the penalty denial vs belgium, a few other calls going against us. Can’t remember us getting many favourable calls in this WC.
Listening to the TSN guys here in Canada. Nauseating. It’s like only Brazil is playing….love that we are being underestimated as usual.
Ajmooooo!!!!
Think they’re just bitter cos of the belting we gave em
Finally Pasalic in starting lineup where he belongs. 100 percent chance he scores on a header against Brazil
100 per cent??
fwiw – great weather 74F and 40% humidity at Education City stadium
Lineup released:
https://scontent.fbne4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/318511796_599362625526584_1546330674962012236_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p526x296&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=d78kI3n7WJEAX-p-9af&_nc_ht=scontent.fbne4-1.fna&oh=00_AfCvfB710QN0rED2Y6jy1P9dqKblT1CHOZxjfiB9Keuaxg&oe=63975FAA
Bog i Hrvati, let’s go Vatreni and shock the world!
Looks like money coming in on Hrvatska. Line has gone down by a good amount. Or at least it has at Pinnacle and FanDuel.
People going nuts over Morocco yet they have 10 times the population of us.
This is a black swan event for them,never to be repeated yet we shall be back as always!
We are the Rodney dangerfield of soccer never getting the true respect we deserve.
Hopefully today changes that!
Hey Ante, it’s pre game time with the Makers Mark ! Lets come out firing ! U boj !
ZDS
Won’t be makers today!! But it’ll be something 😎
Play like you can and we will win this game.
I hope this game isn’t fixed. The Argentina/Messi VS Brazil narrative is at play.
As well FIFA has been pushing for a Messi VS Ronaldo scenario for years.
The only issue was Messi supporting cast wasn’t good enough and Ronaldo’s ego was a deficit to Portugal. I’ve always believed that played better without EL Ego.
The latest example of their push was Portugal winning the EURO in 2016. We all saw that blatant volleyball spike in the box.
As well we’ve scene the French narrative work against us with the VAR Hit Squad. I still remember Allan Shearer losing his mind in England regarding handing France the win by the first half. He knew this played into their whole counter attack strategy.
Anyway, I pray today in Jesus Mighty name that this game is decided without any form of corruption and that the refs do not take the bait in regards to Brazilian floundering.
Amen 🙏
Their’s a big upset on the cards,
Brazil have the pressure & the expectation to win ,
Favourites in big games, is like playing with 1 man less.
Croatia on the other hand ,feels the freedom to play their true, free flowing attack game.
A new forward Croatia will stake his position for the future of Croatia
MARKO LIVAJA
I hope this game isn’t fixed. The Argentina/Messi VS Brazil narrative is at play.
As well FIFA has been pushing for a Messi VS Ronaldo scenario for years.
The only issue was Messi supporting cast wasn’t good enough and Ronaldo’s ego was a deficit to Portugal. I’ve always believed that Portugal played better without EL Ego.
The latest example of their narrative push was Portugal winning the EURO in 2016. We all saw that blatant volleyball spike in the box.
As well we’ve scene the French narrative work against us with the VAR Hit Squad. I still remember Allan Shearer losing his mind in England regarding handing France the win by the first half. He knew this played into their whole counter attack strategy.
Anyway, I pray today in Jesus Mighty name that this game is decided without any form of corruption and that the refs do not take the bait in regards to Brazilian floundering.
Amen 🙏
It’s kinda funny we never get to wear the away jersey this tourney ay?
It’s the reason why we’re just drawing games and not winning them.
It’s holding us back. 😉
I know i personally will be blaming that if we lose lol
I’m kinda surprised at how optimistic everyone is, i’m expecting to lose by a couple of goals, i really only give us a 15-20% chance of winning – which obviously is not impossible, just highly unlikely. IF we win it’ll be one of our best ever, altho for me the sweetest is the eng SF last wc.
Why? There is 10,000,000,000,000% better chance that Croatia will beat brazil, than any chance of winning a 100 million dollar lottery. People really get excited by the lottery, and check their numbers each time.
I think a 15-20% probability, is actually a huge number to hang the hope of 6-7 million people, for one glorious morning. You would not think, you would get such high odds for something this stupendous. Fortunately, this is a game of inches, luck, intangibles, and providence.
Consensus says we lossm heart says we will get a result.
Maybe we get lucky and play well.
This tournament we have had so much luck. Thank lukaku for being bad. Canada underestimated us
It looks like only morrocco took us seriously out of 4 teams we played
Beat of luck ajmo vatreni
No time for objectivity. Come on Iggy!!
Kudos to you Ante Kvartuc: for brilliantly expressing, inspiring, motivating and uniting us fans! 🤩
During an interview with Golden leaf plated steak eating Vinicius Junior, an interruption took place, when a cat resembling the Lion on the Croatian Coat of Arms jumped on the interview table, and mysterious would not move. One of the Brazilian team representatives grabbed the cat and threw him down to the ground. The cat still did not run. Vinicius Junior found the abuse of this mini-Lion quite funny. Clearly this is in line, with the Asparagus reading psychic predictions that Croatia will win, and is not going anywhere soon, when push comes to shove. Sleep soundly with this knowledge tonight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NldbjvqNvT8
Perisic kova luka majer vlasic
Sosa gvardiol lovren sutalo juranovic
Liva
Play our normal midfield, they will win us the game. Maybe Brazil will bring Fred on if they’re down 1-0?
If we concede early in the opening 5-20 minutes, our chances deplete heavily. Our defence need to press up. Once Brazil get with the 18 yard box, they’re control is unstoppable. Press them and make them take long range shots. They don’t rely on long range goals. Similar style to Spain but much faster and way better ball movement. I’ve noticed all Brazil’s goal was lack of coverage and ball watching by the opponents. Wouldn’t it be better to play a 5-3-2? We need another CB. Go with Gvardiol and Lovren in middle. We need to counter attack. The chances will not always be there like it was against Belgium or Morocco. If it comes down to the wire or a goal. We need quickness, bring in Majer, Vlasic, Sucic and Pasalic. We need a dirty dig deep goal. A rebound trash goal. Just like Brazil has scored. They capitalize on defenders mistakes. It’s funny, all Brazil wins have came against countries starting with S. and the only loss is against one that starts with a C.
If anyone were to score tomorrow..Gvardiol deserves it.
Whatever happens tomorrow, I’m proud of our boys. We’ve surpassed expectations once again. The scoring hasn’t been there as much but the defence has impressed me.
Ajmo decki..it’s a the toughest task tomorrow but regardless of the outcome, just play well and give Brazil a struggle. Go down with a fight.
Laku noć brothers.
If we concede in the early part of the game, we’ll still win just like we beat Denmark, England and Canada💪
Ajmo!!!!
Bog i Hrvati
How about the first ever 5-5-0 and let with Gvardiol cover the whole length of the pitch on counter attacks. He can make kovacic fastbreaks. Brozocic covers for him until he gets back.
I’m not opposed. Seriously. Might need to get creative here. Let our boys run! 🙂
I agree that we need to play with a little passion and not be afraid to take a few chances and go for goal. Would be a massive (and not impossible) win for Croatia. Sure hope Perisic and our midfield show up and play properly and that Gvardiol can compensate for his slow counterparts on defense
It worked with Belgium, where we had Lakaku as a 5th back, but went incognito, wearing a Belgium jersey.