Although, without wishing to be a party-pooper, it probably isn’t.

I’m pleased that England managed to negotiate their way through a penalty shoot-out for once and I’m please to see them progress to the next stage of the tournament.

But, in my local last night you’d have thought England had won the World Cup, ended world poverty and cured all cancers, simultaneously.

It is nice to see the media is being positive about the team (for now, at least) but everyone seems to have missed the fact that England registered just 2 shots on target in 2 hours of football (one of which was Kane’s penalty).

I doubt that the likes of France and Brazil are quaking in their boots.

Oooh err - that's fighting talk in the current upbeat climate! Remember the Forum Admin know where you live ..

I'm sorry? Is there some sort of sporting event occurring? I hadn't noticed.

Its been a brilliant tournament enjoyed most of the matches too!
Think England should beat Sweden but they are they similar in mentality and luck so i think it will be close and luck
Have friends in Sweden so i will go on to support them if they succeed

Just dreading the next few weeks with people hitting things with snow shoes that the bbc feel they have to put on almost every single outlet, making it difficult to escape ahhhhh

Thank god for Love Island

Sadly suspect we won't stay in it for long, as usual what the media says, is at complete odds with what my eyes see.

If you want to score-you need to run to the end of the other side. And shoot at the big white unfinished shed. Otherwise you won't win.

Mind you Kane is in line for the golden ball of the soccer cup at the moment. Or Something.

Would like them to win...but if they can't get pass Colombia without a drama.....

Come on EngERland! But no street violence please if/when we loose.

MM

I have no idea why I both read this, or replied to it, I hate high level football. The only benefit to this hole thing is if I time my weekly shop which england are playing, im one of a handfull of people on the road and then in the shop.

It's been a terrific tournament so far with most games displaying at least some exciting skills and energy, particularly from the "underdogs". Also sadly a merging of association football with the game of rugby where opposition players are bundled to the ground by effective tackling!

Perthaps it's too much to ask that there is more consistency in judging whether this is fair play .....

If Scotland for example were playing - as really they should have been - there would be an incredible amount of national fervour up here and rightly so.....come on England and take the opportunities, think positively especially with the press behind you

It'll be a feather in Russia's cap - which they will no doubt exploit - if the whole event goes off without major incident. Seems that fans have enjoyed the experience so far

Edinburgh,

I can't believe a Scot is willing England to win!

But lets see how far we get!

Regards

MM

TBH MM I'm a Cockney but naturalised Glaswegian, so a Jockney

I'll support any UK team even if one or two of our best friends have to grit their teeth not to automatically support any team England are playing against

very unusual tournament so far. But let's not get giddy. As Ali says, England have played without the crippling fear that has dogged every squad in my lifetime (ok, except one, but I was very young in 1966), but Brazil, France *and Belgium* won't be too worried...

Scraped a draw at home with an 89th minute goal against Lithuania and then walloped 3-0 by Slovakia, I really don't see how you can say Scotland should have been in Russia.

On the whole it's been a very good World Cup, on and off the pitch. I just wish VAR could be used in retrospect to sanction payers who dive or feign injury.

This. And when they mob the Ref.

Ah, the excitement of the world cup & all that it entails. I have to admit Simon was a bit ambitious with his thoughts about Scotland, but really he was just being facetious.. I'm no football lover for various reasons, but this game has me enthralled at the moment for various reasons, not least the camera work. The drama in the game is just entertaining due to the over acting, dirty tactics, bad fouling.

The Columbia game with England was just a farce, Columbia just hacked bullied their way through the game & I heard myself say come on England. My heart was in my mouth when the penalties came, I was pleased when England came through. Watching other games today, I think France or Belgium will win. Just my thoughts.

I agree, Jim, it's between France and Belgium I reckon. Belgium bossed Brazil tonight.

European World Cup now!

I cannot pick between France or Belgium either, Belgium have just got better and better throughout the tournament although Japan didn’t do bad, I will go for Belgium beating France
Russia who were supposedly a rubbish team, have done well
Still think with the luck of the day it’s anybody’s until the final

As I heard elsewhere- it’s not home yet but it’s just packed a suitcase...

Englands best convincing win so far apart from the easy win against Panama.

Thank goodness they have a good goal keeper (at the moment)

We deserved the win, we won fairly, we dominated the play, there was no rolling about to contend with and no histrionics.

We have a goal keeper who can save at critical moments and more than one player who can score.

I genuinely think we now have the confidence to beat anyone.

Never stop me dreaming....

I’m looking forward to tonight’s match. Two teams with plenty of goals in them and loads of technically gifted players. Hopefully it’ll be a cracker and not a stalemate.

England can certainly beat Croatia tomorrow. Modric and Rakatic are world class and I think it will take a moment of individual brilliance from one or both of them to beat us..

They’re weak at the set piece which is where this England team are very strong. I can see an England victory. 2-1 if I had to bet.

Can't believe I'm saying this but I'm looking forward to tonights game. I'm on holiday, I'm almost pain free hip wise, not so grumpy & of course an excuse for a few sherbets.....

I'm no football pundit but I had Belgium for the win, even well into the game.

Holy shit here I am shouting & screaming at the telly, wife upstairs packing to go on holiday (with me) Can't believe another hacking fouling bunch of bastards. What's wrong with me? In all honesty a wee bit wants me to see England fail, but every time I watch a game, I want them to win. Croatia are 1 nil down due to their own fouling crappy game. The English boys look so young, Pickfords the goalie looks 15, good grief what's wrong with me.....

What's wrong with you, Jim? Nothing, as far as I read.

Maybe your hip injection was made in England out of Thames water, Melton Mowbray pork pies and Worcester sauce.

Who knows?

It ain't coming home.

Ach, if I was 100% truthful Croatia caused the three goals.

Despite their antics and some questionable decisions, the better team won.

Seven shots on target to England’s one. You can’t win a game of football if you don’t kick the ball toward the goal.

Aye Ali, what can I say, it's been so very,very entertaining on so many levels. As a proud Scot I was a bit jealous, but initially I honestly thought me you could do this, but hey ho, it's not to be.

Raging heartburn this morning, kinda over did the refreshment & the snacking.... AND we are off on holiday. Using our bus passes, saving a small fortune.

Best team won in the end. England threatened in the first half, and should have gone in at least 2 up, but after half time there was only one team going to win.

Good experience for a relatively young team, I think with a few tweaks, things look pretty good for the England football team.

Still got 3rd place up for grabs - so not coming home just yet.

Lot's of reasons to keep the flags flying today of all days!

We may even have a deal to keep food on the shelfs by tonight! That's the much more important world cup challenge to win!

Regards all

MM