Russia v Croatia, 19:00 BST, ITV.

[Mac76]

Dixon calls out Neville for saying that goal was savable

[SMatthews]

Read the history of doping & cheating in Russian sports including the shithousery of the state-sponsored activities they were engaging in during the Sochi winter olympics (they literally had KGB goons swapping urine samples on-route to them being tested by WADA officials). Activities that earned them a ban in 2018.

Factor in the Soviet era BS mentality of Putin who similarly like the Russian Oligarch who owns the Chavs needs to make his dick feel big on the international stage, there's no way in hell they're not cheating especially considering how awful this Russian team have been over the past two years.

You ever seen the Icarus documentary? Barmy antics.

[Mac76]

Has neville had botox or something he looks about 15 years old

[Globalgunner]

Read the history of doping & cheating in Russian sports including the shithousery of the state-sponsored activities they were engaging in during the Sochi winter olympics (they literally had KGB goons swapping urine samples on-route to them being tested by WADA officials). Activities that earned them a ban in 2018.

Factor in the Soviet era BS mentality of Putin who similarly like the Russian Oligarch who owns the Chavs needs to make his dick feel big on the international stage, there's no way in hell they're not cheating especially considering how awful this Russian team have been over the past two years.

That history does not show how the guys playing on todays pitch are clearly doped up. Yes you may have suspicions but you can only buttress your claim with stats that show them outrunning their opponents or such.

[Master Splinter]

Could go either way, Croatia not really in their rhythm, and russia just going for it every time they get the ball

I still think Modric is playing deeper than usual though?

Yeah, Modric is playing deeper because Brozovic has been dropped. But he plays quite deep for Real Madrid. But then again, I suppose they don't need him further forward because they have a much better attack.

[Master Splinter]

Regarding Russia being crap before the World Cup, that's probably because like all host nations they don't have to play any qualifiers. So it's hard to gauge anything from a couple of years of pointless friendlies.

[Mac76]

In terms of england, i think it would be better to be croatia that wins this, can you imagine the crowd and team momentum behind russia if they make the semis?

[SMatthews]

Regarding Russia being crap before the World Cup, that's probably because like all host nations they don't have to play any qualifiers. So it's hard to gauge anything from a couple of years of pointless friendlies.

I don’t think losing 7 in a row helped perceptions. They were useless at the Euro’s too. I’m not sure if you get ranking points for friendlies, probably not. That will explain their drop down. I read somewhere they had averaged being 22 since the creation of the rankings in the early 80s.

[Mac76]

Modric

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Good effort from the overhead by Kramaric.