The French do not want to see a blazing hot Croatia team in the next round, Marca reported over the weekend.
“Croatia are the best in that group, and we will do everything possible to not finish second,” said French Bayern Munich midfielder Corentin Tolisso.
Manchester United star Paul Pogba said, “The best team in Group D is Croatia.”
France were one of the World Cup’s four pre-tournament favorites alongside Brazil, Germany and Argentina. Les Bleus are expected to top Group C on Tuesday, only needing a draw against Denmark in order to do so. Croatia, who are 99.9% certain to top Group D, even if they lose to Iceland, would play the runner up from C in the Round of 16. As it stands, that would most likely be Denmark, but France can slip into that spot if they lose and Australia still have small hopes to go through if they can beat Peru and get some help from the French.
Croatia’s first mission of this World Cup was to get out of group stage and then avoid France in the next round. And that may very well happen.
Things are shaping up quite nicely for the Vatreni; especially when you have top squads trying to avoid them this early in the World Cup.
There is still a chance Croatia will get Australia in the round of 16. Not out of the question.
Ramos is insanely shaky in the back.
I really hope we can get things done in the next round, so we can play that quarterfinal game against Spain.
The same pressure we applied to Argentina will be doubly worse for Spain. They have been bleeding goals when under pressure. Rebić and Mandžo will have a field day.
Well said Citizen, it feels like an odd tournament to me. I do to share your confidence in lifting the trophy this year.
I agree with a lot of the posts above. I for one hope we get France. We have score to settle with them. I am more concerned with the referees than the teams. I hope our guys keep there heads and no matter what happens they don’t go to mental midget syndrome and fall apart. They have chance here to go all the way. Let’s face it no team we play will be easy to beat. This cup has been full of surprises. If we should win this cup I want this media and these bull shit table commentary pundits to say that Croatia did not have easy path to win. We played the best France Belgium Germany Denmark Sweden Mexico who ever let there be no excuse if we won that we gave our blood sweat and tears to lift that trophy. Any other team that the wins the cup plays non elite teams to get there is the greatest. We hrvati win, well it was luck and Argentina was not really at there best and all the bullshit. We must play our game and remember our past mistakes from the last cup and at the euro. Let this be the generation that played to there level. The last 10 years this generation has under performed. This cup can erase that history and set a new standard for Croatia football. Let this be the team that gave new meaning to the name Vatreni
@anonymous,
Agreed, sadly.
Mark my words , everything is going way too smoothly for us, I bet you anything we will have to play France, and those Argentine jerkoff will get Denmark, these big guys always get the lucky setup.
Would’ve been better to play Portugal
Lost that chance in the final minutes of both games
Spain a better all around team and will likely find their rhythm after having to deal with sudden coaching change
That being said, Spain is far from invincible as many of their players should be soon put out to pasture particularly iniestA
But other guys like ramos , pique, costa may not be far behind
@BZ
They’re resting players because it’s the wise thing to do. We’re doing the same, even though first place is not guaranteed for us either.
The bracket is equally difficult for France, so you may as well ensure that you have a full strength team.
They probably would rather play Argentina over Croatia, but not at the expense of possible suspensions or injuries.
France thinks that Croatia more than Argentina sooo much that they are resting around 5 starters!<-sarcasm Doesn't sound like a team scared of Croatia.
Sunday at 2pm eastern time
@ Maminjo – Exactly correct – spot on.
Come on people- if your really Croatian the attitude is always – bring it on!!!! Who cares who we play – it’s our culture to take on whoever wants a piece – France /Denmark- the exit door is awaiting
What day will the knockout stage begin for croatia????
Playing Denmark then Spain is fine.
Having to play France then Spain (then likely Belgium after) would be too much.
I don’t like that stupid “you have to beat the best to be the best” comment. It’s never true.
Portugal would NOT have won the Euros if they didn’t get an easy Bye against teams like Poland and Wales on their way to the finals.
It’s all about the odds. You can beat elite teams when you are at your best, but to put in several perfect games in a row is unlikely.
Getting a couple of beatable non-elite teams along the way has been critical for pretty much every tournament winner ever.
@Soul Champ – Yes, this is lined up perfectly. Basically a friendly match against Iceland to prepare for Denmark (two Scandinavian countries with similiar playing styles) while resting hey players as other countries struggle to qualify.
Good news for us that work is that the round of 1) match is on Sunday, July 1 and the quarterfinal would be on Saturday, July 7.
Regarding the VAR – FIFA should have tried using this during qualifiers to work out when and how to use it.
Sweden, Iran and a few other countries have legitimate complaints as to why their situations were not reviewed. It is not working out as hoped.
I do elcroato. This world cup anything can happen. Look at Iran about 6 inches from winning the group outright in stoppage time.
Right on soul champ!
Does anyone think Denmark may beat France? It could happen..
I am enjoying this position of power we have earned this World Cup.
3rd group game is being utilized for lengthy cup run as opppsed to stressing out a result.
I want to see these boys play freely tomorrow against a desperate Iceland team.
Or Maybe the Vatreni 20 year anniversary the script is lose in the Semi Finals again Luka Modric wins the golden ball award no Croatian has ever won before.
France just need a point versus Denmark. Most likely a draw both teams go through.
Could be like ’98
An upset of an aging champion in the quarters is in the cards!
If Iran scored in that last minute chance, Croatia would have been potentially lined up to meet the winner of Iran-Russia to reach the semi-finals.
As it is, Spain will have trouble with Russia. Spain has given up 5 goals in group action.
The luck lining up for Croatia in this Cup looks better than in 1998, but, keeping the momentum going after the Iceland match is the key.
Portugal with luck omg!
France or (Nigeria/Iceland/Argentina) would get Uruguay in the quarters
I think Spain and Portugal have played comparably so far. Maybe Spain has more upside if everything is clicking, but they squeaked past Iran and drew with Portugal and Morocco. I would have slightly preferred Portugal but we’re going to face tough teams if we’re going to make a deep run.
Who gets Uruguay in quarters if they win?
The question is, who would you rather get: Spain or Russia?
Spain is not playing great lately, and Russia has home support, plus i’m sure Putin will do whatever he can to help them advance.
Much rather have Portugal than Spain. I wanted the 2016 revenge game. Now Spain will want revenge against Croatia for 2016. And Spain is overall better. Nothing is guaranteed in the second round against Denmark or Australia. And Spain beating Russia is not guaranteed. Spain has not looked that great.
Well call me crazy but almost better with Spain then Portugal
I just don’t want to face Portugal cause of reffing
Whatever it is it is
We just have to do our thing
If we should make it to the quarter final, we’ll meet Spain.
Spain is in our section, not Portugal, so if Ronaldo gets another yellow, it will be to the benefit of France in the quarters most likely.
Croatia was an Iranian gimme from being favorites for the semis. And again Portugal lucks out. What else is new.
Ronaldo gonna get yellow against Russia and we take them in quarters
Man I know Iran played hard but both Spain and Portugal look very beatable
Ajmo dečki!
Ronaldo should have gotten a red car any other player gets a red card not yellow.
And Ronaldo missed a PK.
If that was Messi you’d never hear the end of it …
What a goal this guy scored for Portugal, if that was Ronaldo or Messi you’d never hear the end of it
I haven’t watched every team
But of all I’ve watched we right up there dečki!
To win the tournament yoh have to defeat the best doesnt really matter if your good enough.
OK, so we probably play Denmark in the second round. If we win that, we would play the winner of Russia vs. 1st place in group B. Who wants a rematch with Portugal? Morocco just scored on Spain. It would be hilarious if Iran somehow pulled out a win against Portugal and got first place. Then the quarters would be against the winner of Iran-Russia. I’m guessing Portugal gets first and we play them in the quarters.
No injuries for us tomorrow ideally. France to finish first. I feel this blog should be more popular right now during the World Cup.
First comment yay!
So ideally what do we want happening tomorrow
Least a tie for us
France to win their match