FIFA World Cup - Russia 2018

[elimmel]

Tough luck for England...really.
Croatia’s first goal could have been chalked off for a high boot.
It was within a few inches of connecting with the defender’s head.
England lost the battle in midfield.
It’s not their natural game to press for Ali and Lingard. But they had to do it to contain Modric and Rakitic. Thus offering less support to Kane and Sterling.
Maybe if Southgate had gone the Spurs way to contain midfield with addition of Dier. Then a front three of Kane, Ali and Sterling. That could trouble the Croat defence more.

In the final, Croatia’s extra energy spent so far could come back and bite them.
They need to recover fast as they need all the energy to match France’s speedy attacks.