What if it is going home? What if football is well and truly going “home”? What then? Four years (and more) of cocky Brits bragging about a crown they were entitled to. Can we take it? Can the French, who have reached the final, bear to lose to the English and be forever doomed?
Concerns like these and more are sure to pop up if England beat Croatia today in the second semifinal of this World Cup. The internet is flooded with memes, videos and overzealous English fans, who also happen to be at nearly every World Cup game singing “It's coming home.”
They have made it to a World Cup semifinal for the first time after 1990, while this is Croatia's second one—the first being their astonishing debut in 1998. The Croats stand in England's way of winning the trophy after 52 years, but this game is as much Croatia's to lose.
The Slavic country has been one of the better performers at this World Cup, even though it may not have come with much entertainment. A lot of drama, yes, like when they had to beat Denmark and Russia on penalties, in the round of 16 and quarterfinals. But ever since the group stage, when they upset Argentina, Croatia have failed to turn on the style.
The path to the final, to history in fact, could not have been easier—no, England cannot be considered a strong side—and this is Croatia's best chance, if they make use of the incredible talent they have in midfield. Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic have shone brightly for their team and will hope to continue doing so.
England have one of the most underrated team in the country's recent history, and have yet managed to outdo all the illustrious heroes of the past twenty years. The likes of Jesse Lingard, Harry Maguire and Jordan Pickford have done what Steven Gerrard, John Terry and Joe Hart couldn't.
They beat Colombia on penalties and then dismissed Sweden in their two knockout games so far. The biggest challenge England faced so far was the Belgium game in the group stage which they lost. The tip-top Gareth Southgate would not have expected his team to make it this far, and neither would his rival of the day, the unfancied Zlatko Dalic, anticipate the same.
France and Belgium muscled their way past big teams to reach the last four, and fought out a tight battle last night. The French ran out winners and are all but ready to lift the trophy. Croatia and England will have to step up their game and prove that they deserve to be here. Not only by beating France in the final, but also by beating Belgium in the third-place playoff.
But first, they will have to decide among themselves who is more worthy. A cracker of a contest awaits in an already cracker of a World Cup. The Cup could either be going home, or going to new one.
The game will kick off at the Luzhniki stadium, Moscow, at 11:30pm IST.
Probable lineups:
England (3-5-2): Jordan Pickford; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire; Kieran Trippier, Dele Alli, Jordan Henderson, Jesse Lingard, Ashley Young; Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane
Croatia (4-3-3): Danijel Subasic; Sime Vrsaljko, Dejan Lovren, Domagoj Vida, Ivan Strinic; Ivan Rakitic, Marcelo Brozovic, Luka Modric; Ante Rebic, Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Perisic