The Three Lions squad was spotted performing the most gruesome training regimen known in the world of sports, an ancient technique that some even say not a single Shaolin monk has been capable of. England, in tribute to Rocky Balboa, trained with a chicken. A rubber chicken.
Meet Leon the Chameleon. Throughout the World Cup he will be predicting matches doing the thing he does best: eating crickets. Here he chooses between England and Croatia for this semifinal matchup.
LEON LIKES: England
England
Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire; Trippier, Henderson, Young; Lingard, Alli; Kane, Sterling
Croatia
Subasic; Vida, Lovren, Corluka, Strinic; Rakitic, Brozovic, Rebic, Modric, Perisic; Mandzukic
After Croatia’s 4-3 penalty shootout against Russia, Croatia assistant coach Ognjen Vukojevic and defender Domagoj Vida celebrated with a politically charged video tweeted by Vukojevic. Both of their Twitter accounts are currently deactivated.
Although the video seems like it’s only two guys who forgot the phone was recording while taking a selfie and then tried to play it cool, “Slava Ukrayini” (Glory to Ukraine) wasn’t received that well by Russian fans. Especially since the World Cup is in Russia, if you haven’t noticed, which adds more fuel to the fire.
After England made it through to the World Cup semifinals with a 2-0 victory over Sweden, English fans went berserk. In Samara, Russia, fans behaved themselves, but in East London, fans had another thing in mind: the local Ikea store.
Many videos went viral as England fans raided the Ikea store singing the lyrics to “Three Lions,” all while jumping on the Swedish company’s beds.
Immigrant players and sons of immigrants largely make up World Cup rosters. Welcoming immigration has proven to be the secret to having success at the World Cup. Out of the four teams still remaining in the tournament, France, Belgium and England feature squads composed of players from very diverse origins.
The 2018 World Cup semifinals begin on Tuesday with France vs Belgium in Saint Petersburg. The final will then be set following the completion of Wednesday's matchup between England and Croatia in Moscow. Here are our World Cup semi finals predictions, including team news, injuries, tactics and previews.
France vs Belgium
Tuesday, July 10 | 2:00 p.m. ET | Saint Petersburg Stadium
FOX and Telemundo
It’s a mantra that’s gathered steam over the course of the 2018 World Cup, but what does it’s coming home mean? Beginning with Harry Kane’s last-ditch winner against Tunisia, gathering steam in the five-goal first half against Panama, working into a crescendo following the breaking of the dreaded penalty shootout curse against Colombia and reaching a fever pitch following a 2-0 win over world-beaters Sweden, football's now well and truly coming home.
In the early ’90s, pre-Wengerian Arsenal earned a reputation for playing a brand of football that was effective but far from entertaining, resulting in chants of “Boring, Boring Arsenal.” It was a refrain that easily could have been repeated throughout the Three Lions’ campaign in Russia, including at the England vs Sweden match on Saturday in Samara, Russia.
The White Walkers from Sweden will meet the Three Lions from England. Can England keep this run going while having only scored one decent goal in the run of play? Or will the Swedes squeeze the life out of them? Then we go to Russia vs Croatia. Talk about impropable runs. Russia will try to bounce the heavily favored Croatians and keep Putin happy. WHAT WILL HAPPEN? WE DON'T KNOW, BUT WE'LL DAMN WELL TRY TO PREDICT IT.