That's a great point, USABlue , most of the "elite" have been knocked out.

1-1  Croatia

Beautiful goal by Russia though.

Croatia has looked good but not overwhelming; but hey, all of these teams are on the big stage, I do think Russia will bow out...but it may be very close. I don't know who England would rather face, the more vaunted Croatians or the host team Russia. Russia has looked very good. You can't deny that.

I really wonder how Sweden could have defeated Mexico 3-Nil, what happens to these teams??

WTG 3 Lions.........you get in the final 4, who knows? This year and this Cup is nothing like any other.

Belgium are the giant killers this time, they got rid of Brazil. All of the other teams breathed a sigh of relief.

True, anything can happen....Germany's path to the 2002 world cup final was the easy way as well and if you look at who they played, it was. They lost the final but still got there.

I won't begrudge Belgium one bit if they win it all.

Sweden, that was a very curious flurry of attempts on goal there...

2-0, now where are the negative Nellys? WTG INGER-LUND.

Tempo picking up.  I've  never noticed so many balls going right outside the post. England picking up the tempo a bit. Sweden has not threatened yet.

Nick Drake - Time Of No Reply

Just now, philipl said:

Uruguay without Cavani allowed France to play a few meters furher up the field than they would have done otherwise producing a routine win..

Brazil v Belgium was magnificent.

A mix of Belgium really are this good (fabulous defensive effort and what a player Hazard is) and Brazil really aren't as good as they had been hyped. Sticking with that as the game which decided the eventual winners although France v Belgium will be immense.

Croatia should have far too much for Russia to be able to handle and man for man England are stronger than Sweden in at least five positions, no worse in five other positions and decisively better in Kane. Yes Sweden can win, but if you played tonight's game ten times, England would win six, three would be draws and Sweden would win once.

 

 

Fine analysis. I enjoyed that.

Sweden was last in the World Cup in 2006. This time in 2018. they defeated Mexico, 3-0, that one with Germany could have gone either way, really.  If England win, it won't be easy. It's a challenge.  I think the game looks very drawish. I just hate the shootouts though. I'm not sure if I can take another one of those. Sweden's made some of these recent Euros I believe; but did not have outstanding performances. They might be hungry.

And I do think Belgium CAN defeat France and yes, they appear to be the best side out there.

Can't say enough about Belgium, yes, Brazil certainly missed chances. I'm happy for Belgium, a bit sad for a proud footballing nation like Brazil. I'll leave it at that. Red Devils may well be the best side out there.

Where I'm playing the prediction game,  most people are picking England and Croatia. That Croatia/Russia match stumps me as well. It's hard to count Russia out. Croatia pretty good.

Uruguay, clean sporting play as far as I'm concerned,  I feel for the spirited little country.... France has a habit of defeating Brazil historically, if those two meet. I hope Belgium can win today. Some of the other South American/Latino teams would have acted pretty ugly in this match.

Does anyone think Belgium might defeat Brazil?

I thought for the quality of players Colombia has, they sure wasted effort by playing that sloppy way.

Mbappe for simulation.

Suarez at times, looks so good.... I don't know how high he grades with people, of course, in the past, he has acted ugly but I mean aside from that, his skill level....Uruguay wilting some, team with a lot of heart.....France notoriously has a very sound defence traditionally and the Frenchman, Lloris made a great save earlier. Big problems for Uruguay.....

I don't expect Belgium to win today.... but I'd welcome it...

Goalkeeper 'Mare... France 2 0 Uruguay..........

The Guess Who - No Sugar Tonight

Nicky Hopkins, Ry Cooder, The Rolling Stones - Blow With Ry

Sweden, 3rd place in the World Cup 2 times, when they hosted in 1958 and in USA 1994... in 1994, because of the way they had the brackets set up, Sweden played Brazil two times, in the group stage (1-1) and in the knockout rounds (semifinals, Brazil wins 1-0) . Shouldn't happen but did.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_FIFA_World_Cup

Competitive matches (no friendlies)

Euro 2012, England 3-2  Sweden

World Cup 2006, England 2-2 Sweden

World Cup 2002, England 1-1 Sweden

1998 Euro Cup qualifier, Sweden 2-1 England  (match report: https://us.soccerway.com/matches/1998/09/05/europe/european-championship-qualification/sweden/england/629144/?ICID=PL_MS_01 )

Euro 1992, hosted by Sweden,  Sweden 2-1 England   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_1992

Historically, they match up pretty well.  But I think Southgate proves his salt again. Honestly, I think we are in a new era....Gareth has a modern approach.

New era in the World Cup too, they'll be back, Italy and Netherlands but they aren't there this time.  You have quite a few teams you don't generally see in the final 8 while Portugal, Germany, Spain, Argentina, all knocked out.

In no way would I take Sweden lightly.  Historic record compares favourably.

Just now, speeeeeeedie said:

You've done nothing but moan and groan about England. You need to give it a rest. We are through to the last 8. Enjoy it.  

Amen

Kinks - Mirror of Love

Draws with Sweden in the '02 and '06 World Cup:

http://eloratings.net/England

I will check more later.

One thing it seems to me, we are in a new phase of the World Cup and it appears a new stage in the England team.

There really hasn't been a World Cup much like this one. Some were very good,  Argentina '78 or  Spain '82 though I didn't see much of the latter.

2 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

It'll be more like our normal opposition. How good can they be if Ollsen can get a game ?

Good enough to win a group with Germany and Mexico and South Korea and defeat a team that drew Brazil in Switzerland. Sweden is nothing to sneeze at, they just seem to have missed a lot of World Cups.

Crowd against England, no one has commented on that, crowd was for Colombians, I'm sure a lot of Colombians were there but I wonder if some Russians might have joined in? Big bend but don't break moment, I'd say overall, England's best World Cup match since 2002...2006, drew Sweden in the group stage, I think Sweden, diving or fouling or not, are going to be a challenge and after all, defeated Switzerland.

And the cameras kept showing James, it's a great job to come back from that big momentum shift.