World Cup today -- The Final

When Johnny was young, he never pictured himself in the back yard or with friends imagining scoring the goal that won the World Cup. Oh, Johnny watched every World Cup (even back when he was little and it was only the Final that was on US teevee) because he knew deep down it really really was a huge deal. While he pretended to score the winning overtime goal for the Red Wings to win the Stanley Cup or hit a home run in the ninth inning of game 7 to help the Tigers win it all, he never pretended to score that soccer goal. Today, older and perhaps wiser with a full-on love of soccer he probably would have. At least that way the USA would have a star over their crest.

Someone today in Moscow will actually make their childhood dream come true. Someone today between France or Croatia will score the winning goal or make the big penalty kick.

So, who will lift the trophy? Johnny picked France to win it all before the tournament began. While he's happy to see his pick in the final match, he'll be cheering for Croatia. Call it underdog fever or wanting to see a huge upset in the globe's biggest game Johnny hopes the second-smallest nation to make a final will win. The Croat fans have simply overrun Hudson Hall since the beginning of the tournament, today will be no exception and they are a loud and easy group to cheer for. Johnny asked a Croatian fan whom they wanted to play and he said France. They beat Croatia in the 1998 Wold Cup semi-final that (France went on to win it all) and Croatia wants payback. He then asked Johnny who his team was and he told the fan, "USA" to which the Croatian fan pondered and gave Johnny a fist bump for not bailing on his team that aren't in Russia.

So, the match. How does this play out. France will find out today what others have, Modric and Rakitic and Perisic (if he's healthy) can boss a midfield. The French attack will be slowed, Mbappe, Griezmann and Pogba won't be getting favored service all day long like usual. France will have the ball less than usual so they'll have to adapt but that is exactly what France has done this tournament, they've adapted. Hit them with whatever defensive alignment you want, they're thinking the game, not just kicking the ball and running like deer after it. Croatia have played a lot of soccer in Russia. A lot of it. Three extra time games with two matches decided by PK's. France has the depth and should be fresh. This right here is Johnny's big bugaboo for Croatia, the amount they have played. No matter who you are, how much bench strength you have, legs do wear down. While Johnny would love to cheer for AND pick Croatia but he's got to be honest with himself and you dear reader, France will win today.

Fearless forecast
France 2
Croatia 1 (Extra Time)

World Cup Today: Knockout round Day 2

While not as star-studded as yesterday's affairs, today's knockout round brings some interesting differences in styles of play.

Spain vs Russia
The host nation, with thousands of fans screaming for them to move on, will face a team born of class, grace and ball movement. This is not the 2010 Spanish team that won the World Cup. It's also not the 2014 version that looked lost, and slow. While much is made of front starman Diego Costa, the beauty of Spain's attack are the midfielders like Iniesta and Isco. Russia's straightforward attack Johnny feels is going to get thrown into all kind of disarray as the Russians chase the ball most of the afternoon. Spain's real ace in the hole are their two central defenders, incredible rivals in league play, Barcelona's Gerard Pique and Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos may well prove to be the best pairing of central defenders ever. Through all the European championships, and the World Cup title, the one thing that never changed was Pique and Ramos on guard.

To have effect Russia will have to play a clean game, no giving Spain free kicks in dangerous areas, no speculative balls that wind up in the fifth row, they'll have to play tight and clean and maybe get a little help on a call. Sorry Vlad, Spain's going on...

Spain 2
Russia 0

Croatia vs Denmark
Croatia has become a dark horse for a lot of World Cup watchers. Their incredible midfield is controlling matches and slowing down opponents. The 1-2 punch of of Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic and Real Madrid's Luka Modric (see these two teams keep coming up?) are field marshals. Denmark is going to have to do well on set pieces and defend like hell. Johnny doesn't see much in the way of Denmark's chances after watching Croatia.

If you're a Croatia fan do get to Hudson Hall this afternoon, Croat fans always overrun that place.

Croatia 2
Denmark 1

World Cup Today -- Day 7

So, here we are one week in and WHAT a phenomenal World Cup we have shaping up. Plenty of goals, late goals, lead changes, substitutes scoring goals and plenty of fan enthusiasm. With that here is today's lineup featuring a 3pm battle where World Cup defending champions Spain for for their very soccer lives and continued dynasty against Chile.

Netherlands vs Australia noon
Chile vs Spain 3pm
Cameroon vs Croatia 6pm