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 -- 3rd place match - England vs Belgium!

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Fearless Forecast:
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World Cup Today: Knockout round Day 1

Ok soccer fans, here we go. No more "We'll just beat Tunisia next match and get back on track." One loss, you go home in shame. Would you look at that. The two biggest stars on the planet both play today.

Argentina vs France
When this kicked off, Johnny picked France to win. He hasn't seen much short of Belgium to shy him off of this choice. Yes, Argentina has the best player in the world who makes those around him better (unless the team is Argentina and they are dunderheads) and is capable of moments of magic that should scare France. Horse around and Messi starts getting cards on Umtiti and crew and France are hampered in the back. Johnny thinks France with Pogba, the vastly underrated Griezmann, Dembele, and a few others should overrun the shaky Argentina defense which has shown itself to be shaky. Unless Messi plays one of the five best games of his life this is France's match to lose.

France 3
Messi 1

Uruguay vs Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo is dangerous in big games. He's deadly in big games. He gets calls for penalties in big games. In Johnny's thinking though, so does Luis Suarez. He's Europe's leading scorer the last three years not named Messi or Ronaldo. Suarez scored the winning goal in Barcelona's last Champion's League title match. He's every bit the diver Ronaldo is AND he has Edinson Cavani who is also a top flight striker. Uruguay has looked balanced in the group stage and looked like a team that can make at least the semi-finals. Will they rise to the occasion or allow Ronaldo another moment of glory?

Uruguay 2
Ronaldo 1

Let's enjoy some Lionel Messi magic shall we? It's just fun to do...