The World Cup

As the World Cup winds down, and the final approaches, one thing is certain. It is not coming home. Kudos to England though. Amongst the plethora of memes and countless jokes of “It’s coming home”, the English players have surely stamped themselves in the hearts of the English fans, an astonishing feat, considering that modern English greats such as Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney were unable to do so while playing for the Three Lions. Gareth Southgate deserves immense credit as well. Initially derided as an unknown quantity, and taking over after Sam Allardyce’s short and controversial reign, a period when England were struggling for identity, Southgate has proved to be a burst of fresh air, giving young players chance, selecting players on the basis of form rather than fame, and proving that England didn’t necessarily need big name coaches that they have tried over the years, from Fabio Capello to Roy Hodgson, just a coach who believes him himself as much as he believes in his players. They may have lost to Belgium in the third place playoff, but England have surely been one of the better sides in this World Cup, managing something that Germany, Spain, Argentina, Portugal, Italy and Netherlands all failed to do; they reached the World Cup semifinals, their first in the 28 years.

The team that England lost to in the semifinals, Croatia, have to be the story of the World Cup. While their achievement have been slightly whittled down due to their constant reminder as to how great an achievement it has been for Croatians to reach the final, (I say that because they have perhaps the best midfield, at least on paper, amongst all World Cup squads), make no mistake, the Croatians have deserved to be where they are. Luka Modric is surely the favourite to win the Golden Ball, given to the best player in the World Cup, with his performances in central midfield alongside Ivan Rakitic, the catalyst to Croatia’s run to the World Cup final. Mario Mandzukic has led the line admirably, while the defence of Sime Vrsaljko, Dejan Lovren, Domagoj Vida and Ivan Strinic ahaead of the goalkeeper and savior on many occasions, Danijel Subasic, have looked impregnable. France will be the favourites to win the World Cup, but rest assured, the Croatians will be quite a challenge.