Match coverage

World Cup 2022: Messi’s masterful display, Alvarez brace propels Argentina into Sunday’s final

Josko GVARDIOL of Croatia and Lionel MESSI of Argentina during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Semi Final match between Argentina and Croatia at...

Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates will play defending champions France or African record-breakers Morocco on Sunday afternoon in the World Cup Final after ultimately easing to a 3-0 win over Croatia in the tournament’s first semi-final. Turns out, Nicolas Tagliafico’s pre-match comments on the PSG man’s presence aged well here. Will they again this weekend?
Continue reading “World Cup 2022: Messi’s masterful display, Alvarez brace propels Argentina into Sunday’s final”

Match coverage

World Cup 2022: Nicolas Tagliafico praises Messi’s presence before tonight’s semi-final against Croatia

Lionel Messi of Argentina during the Argentina Training Session at on December 12, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

Ahead of tonight’s World Cup semi-final against Croatia, Lyon left-back Nicolas Tagliafico praised Lionel Messi’s presence as one that will give their Argentina side a special advantage as they prepare to face the tournament’s runners-up from Russia 2018. Who will outlast the other? Continue reading “World Cup 2022: Nicolas Tagliafico praises Messi’s presence before tonight’s semi-final against Croatia”

Analysis, feature pieces, Match coverage

World Cup 2022: Croatia draw sees Belgium crash out and Martinez depart, they must now rebuild

Croatia's players and teammembers celebrate at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F football match between Croatia and Belgium at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on December 1, 2022. (Photo by Chandan KHANNA / AFP) (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

As good as Croatia were for sustained periods, Belgium had ample opportunity to punish Zlatko Dalic’s side. Instead, they again rued missed goalscoring chances and a startling lack of urgency at times, with their goalless draw on MD3 meaning the golden generation have failed to qualify from the World Cup group stages. Roberto Martinez’s contract expired at the tournament’s end and well, the inquest into their latest underachievement must be thorough. Continue reading “World Cup 2022: Croatia draw sees Belgium crash out and Martinez depart, they must now rebuild”

Match coverage

World Cup 2022: Belgium boss Martinez rubbishes negative news before crunch clash vs. Croatia

DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 30: Roberto Martinez, Head Coach of Belgium, speaks during the Belgium Press Conference at the Main Media Center on November 30, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)

Having laboured to a lacklustre 1-0 win over Canada, then being stunned 2-0 by Morocco on MD2, Roberto Martinez’s Belgium enter today’s group stage encounter with Croatia – the World Cup runners-up four years ago – aware tournament progression remains in their hands. As speculation about dwindling team dynamics and squad division persists, the 49-year-old Spaniard insists critics should enjoy what’s left of this golden generation, not inventing stories. Continue reading “World Cup 2022: Belgium boss Martinez rubbishes negative news before crunch clash vs. Croatia”

Archives

Nations League – Portugal 4-1 Croatia: Player Ratings as Santos’ side cruise to victory

Wolves' Diogo Jota netted his first Portugal goal before Felix made it three with 20 minutes to play

Goals from Joao Cancelo, Diogo Jota, Joao Felix and Andre Silva in stoppage-time sealed an impressive 4-1 victory for Nations League winners Portugal – but they could have easily put Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia to the sword by half-time. Which individual players impressed while others struggled in Porto? Continue reading “Nations League – Portugal 4-1 Croatia: Player Ratings as Santos’ side cruise to victory”

Archives

England 2-1 Croatia: 5 Hits and Flops

Kane is mobbed after netting a late winner for England, securing their Nations League semi-final spot

England battled hard and recovered from 1-0 down to seal their Nations League semi-final place – but who struggled while others impressed at Wembley?

Continue reading “England 2-1 Croatia: 5 Hits and Flops”

Archives

England 2-1 Croatia: Kane’s late winner sends Lions to Nations League semis

England's Harry Kane celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game with Jesse Lingard (right)

Late goals from Jesse Lingard and Harry Kane sealed a dramatic comeback for England, who secured their place in next summer’s UEFA Nations League semi-finals at Wembley.
Continue reading “England 2-1 Croatia: Kane’s late winner sends Lions to Nations League semis”

Archives

World Cup Final Preview: France vs Croatia – All or nothing

After an unpredictable tournament packed with memorable moments, France and Croatia will contest the 21st World Cup final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Sunday afternoon. Both sides have worked hard and battled through difficult moments to get here, but both know their final opponent pose various threats; so they’ll be equally bullish about their chances of bringing home the ultimate prize.

Continue reading “World Cup Final Preview: France vs Croatia – All or nothing”