The STEEM FIFA Fantasy League - Semi Finals

The match events of this game have been copied from r/soccer, credit goes to reddit user LelouchNexus!

0': The referee blows, and France get the first Semi-Final underway!

1': Before Belgium even manage a touch, Mbappé does well with the ball on the right-side of the pitch, crosses the ball low, but it's intercepted. Early signs of attacking intent from the French side.

3': Quick break from Belgium finds Chadli on the wing with plenty of space, but he crosses early, and it's blocked for a throw in.

6': Hazard knocks the ball past Pavard, cutting it back on his left foot. It's put behind by Umtiti, but only just flashes past the post for a corner.

7': The resultant corner from Chadli is poor, and the ball sails over the heads of everyone in the box and out for a goal kick.

10': France's first 'chance' since the very start of the game comes from a long ball up to Giroud, who knocks it back down. The ball is chipped over the Belgian defence to Mbappé. Being too far ahead of him, his outstretched boot can only get a slight touch on it, sending it just behind Giroud.

13': Great feet from Pogba to dance past Dembélé, before passing the ball down the field to a sprinting Mbappé. The pitch being thoroughly watered before kick-off means that it zips across the field, just ahead of the young French striker and into the gloves of Courtois, who comes off his line quickly.

16': France being sloppy in possession at the back means the ball falls to Kevin de Bruyne just outside the area. He puts a fantastic touch on the volley to send it past the defender to Eden Hazard. Hazard's low shot flashes just past the far post.

16': Similarly lax, Alderweireld gives the ball away to Giroud very deep in the half. Giroud crosses it first time to an open, late-arriving Matuidi, but the touch is lose and crosses the byline for a goal kick.

18': Great strike from Matuidi from outside the area--great technique and power--but the placement is off, right at the goalkeeper, and Courtois collects easily.

19': Hazard cuts inside on the left-wing, past the makeshift right-back Pavard, and his shot is headed onto the post by Varane. Another corner for Belgium.

21': A good delivery from a corner finds Fellaini inside the box. His touch kills it dead, laying it back for Alderweireld to strike. He goals for goal with his weak foot, right into the corner, but it's tipped aside by his club teammate Lloris.

23': A simple long ball comes to Giroud, but his touch isn't the required contact, and it sails harmlessly out.

28': Fellaini wins the ball back high up the pitch, gives the ball too Hazard, who creates some space and plays it out wide to de Bruyne. His whipped crosses is blocked just before Lukaku can tap it in. Yet another corner. Oly a matter of time before a delivery finds itself poked into the back of either net.

28': Giroud is fouled, resulting in the first free-kick of the game. Has been very open, as well as end-to-end.

31': Pavard, in acres of space, dinks a ball up to Giroud on the penalty spot. It's just behind him, so his header sends it wide. Decent effort.

31': Wicked feet from Hazard to make it past 3 players ear the touchline, but his last touch just sends it over the touchline.

33': Intricate work from Griezmann and Hernandez on the left side finds him with a little bit of space on the edge of the box. He cuts inside, shifting it nicely to open the shot up, but it's on his weak foot, and sails comfortably over.

34': Glorious chance for France goes begging. A beautiful ball over the top from Griezmann finds Mbappé, who cushions a pass on the volley into Giroud in the middle of the box. On the stretch, he hits it wide, and, all told, it's a poor miss. Probably should've anticipated the ball across better, but France are looking creative nonetheless.

37': Beautiful work at the back from France beats the Belgium press. Griezmann breaks, cutting through the heart of the Belgian midfield, but he delays a pass out to Matuidi, who then becomes offside, so takes the shot on himself. Dragged well wide.

38': Giroud takes a breather on the touchline after taking a hit, but it's just that: a breather to recover.

39': Mbappé slots a ball gently, with the outside of his right boot, through two Belgian defenders to find Pavard, who has an open shot at goal. His shot is decent, but it's much too low, and Courtois' ankle denies him. Best chance of the game, and France will be hoping it doesn't come back to haunt them.

42': De Bruyne comes in late on Hernández, sticking out a leg to trip him up. An unnecessary foul.

44': Pogba pulled down by Dembélé, just outside the area. In a dangerous area, but it'll take a fantastic strike to beat the tall Belgian wall, as well as the equally-huge goalkeeper.

44': The shot from Griezmann is slammed straight in the wall.

45+1': Beautiful delivery from de Bruyne on the right flank beats Umtiti, only taking a slight touch, and finding Lukaku in the area, only a few paces out. The big Belgian forward, who hasn't been involved too much yet in this knockout match, is taken by surprise that it beats theFrench centre-half, and it comes off of him, out for a goal-kick.

Half-Time: 0-0

Despite being level at the half, the net yet to bulge for either team, the game has been very open, and balances on a knife edge going into the second period. It could really go either way, and both teams look very dangerous. Mbappé has been the shining light for France so far, and Kanté has been typically solid in the Blues' midfield.

45': Belgium's turn for kick-off, shooting from left-to-right, and the second half gets underway. There's sure to be a goal, and you have to think that'll open the floodgates.

47': All starting from a beautiful cross-field ball from Alderweireld to switch the play, a spell of Belgian possession results in a cross from deep from the DM, Wistel. It finds the head of Lukaku, but the finish is poor, skimming off of the top of the number 9's head over the bar.

49': De Bruyne tries to slot Lukaku in, but it's interecepted by Umtiti. Belgium have started the second half very strongly.

51': GOALLLL! France! Samuel Umtiti/Fellaini (OG). A beautiful corner delivery from Griezmann glances off the head of Umtiti at the near post. It brushes the head of Fellaini on the way, and slots into the far corner. [1]-0

54': France have a free-kick in a dangerous area at the left corner of the area, but the floated cross is dealt with comfortably. It breaks to De Bruyne, and then to Hazard, who Hernández brings down to stop a counter. No card.

56': Calm and full of flair inside the box, Mbappé receives the ball, turns, and backheels the ball to play in Giroud. Giroud is 1-on-1 with Courtois, but the shot is well kept out.

60': Dries Mertens Mousa Dembélé. First substitution of the game goes to the trailing team. De Bruyne drops deeper. 1/3.

61': Early contribution from Mertens! Lukaku plays the ball to him down the right, and he hangs a ball up to the back post. It's headed away uncontested, but falls to de Bruyne on the edge of the box. He slices it, and it falls easily to Lloris to be collected.

63': Hazard shown a card for bringing down Matuidi, taking one for the team to prevent a counter after de Bruyne gave the ball away too easily.

65': A peach of a cross from Mertens finds Fellaini on the penalty spot, who outmuscles his marker Pogba. His header is powerful, but the angle isn't quite right, and it slides past the near post, perhaps a yard wide.

67': Mbappé skips past the sliding challenge of de Bruyne on the right wing, opening u plenty of space for a France counter-attack, with Griezmann and Giroud bombing down the pitch with him. He chips a ball to Griezmman on the other side, who plays a sidefooted pass back to Giroud. From 18 yards, the striker flashes it well over the bar. France have been very creative and silky, but Giroud needs to put on his finishing boots if France want to widen the margin.

71': Alderweireld clips Matuidi's ankles to avoid a footrace.

79': A neat one-two by Hazard and Lukaku results in Hazard being tripped up by Giroud just outside the box. Clear foul, but the referee waves play-on, denying Belgium a much-needed opportunity.

80': Carrasco Fellaini. 2/3.

84': Nzonzi Giroud. Defensive substitution, France looking to shore up and protect their lead for the last 10 minutes. 1/3.

85': Matuidi brought down yet again.

86': Tolisso Matuidi. He put in a good performance, and his fresh-legged replacement, who filled in for him in the previous game due to suspension, replaces him yet again. 2/3.

87': Kanté given a card for bringing down Eden Hazard, after being all over him before the final foul.

88': The free-kick is much too far out for a direct shot, but the ball from De Bruyne is deep, and is fluffed before being cleared.

89': De Bruyne's next delivery is much more threatening, dropping at the back post for an uncontested Lukaku header. It passes in front of his forehead by a mere inch.

90+1': Batshuayi Chadli. Offensive substitution, one final throw of the dice for Belgium. 3/3.

90+2': Mbappé awarded a yellow card for throwing the ball away.

90+3': Griezmann with a great opportunity, but his finish is tried, and saved.

90+4': Vertonghen booked for flailing his arms at Mbappé by the touchline. Frustration coming through as the defeat looms.

90+6': Game ends after an almighty, and very scrappy, 6 minutes of injury time. France have booked their place in their 3rd World Cup Final! Now it's just time to see whether their competition for the gold will be Croatia or England.

France 1 - 0 Belgium

The match events of this game have been copied from r/soccer, credit goes to reddit user AlKarakhboy!

0' We have Kickoff!

3' Modric fouls Alli and England have a freekick within scoring distance.

4' ENGLAND HAVE SCORED! TRIPPER WITH A BRILLIANT FREEKICK TO PUT THE THREE LIONS AHEAD!
7' Croatia have a corner, but it's cleared

11' England have a corner, but Sterling fouls Mandžukić and concedes a free-kick.

13' England have another corner, and the header from Maguire goes inches wide.

18' Perisic takes a shot from distance which nicks Walker's ankle and goes inches wide, but thee ref calls a goal kick.

21' Dejan Lovren pushes Kane to the ground and concedes a foul.

28' WHAT A MISS BY KANE, ONE ON ONE WITH THE GOALKEEPER AND HE COULDN'T GET IT PAST SUBASIC
30' Rebic takes a shot from outside of the box but its saved by Pickford.

35' Lingard was open on the edge of box but his shot was wide.
42' Vrsaljko takes a shot from distance and goes wide, really wide.

45' One added minute as Croatia have a free-kick in a crossing position.

45' Half time, Tripper's gem is the only decider between the two. Croatia need to recollect their heads if they want to get anywhere, England need to score again to put it out of doubt.
45' Second half underway

47' First yellow of the match goes to Mario Mandžukić

53' Walker is booked for unsportsmanlike conduct

58' Corner for Croatia following a terrible clearence by Walker.

60' Rakitic's volley from outside the box goes well wide.

62' Sterling may have been fouled by Vida in the box but no penalty is given.

64' Perisic's shot is blocked in the box by Walker who goes down as a result.

67' CROATIA HAVE EQUALISED. A PEACH OF A BALL BY VRSAIJKO AND PERISIC GET HIS FOOT ON IT AND BEATS PICKFORD. 1-1 THE SCORE.

71 PERISIC HITS THE POST AND REBIC'S REBOUND IS STRAIGHT AT PICKFORD. CROATIA TAKING CHARGE NOW.

73' Rashford is on for Sterling.

78' Henderson takes a shot from distance but its well over the bar.

82' Mandzukic gets a shot on goal but its saved by Pickford.

83' WHAT A CHANCE FOR PERISIC, PICKFORD WAS OFF HIS LINE BUT THE WINGER'S FIRST TIME SHOT IS OVER THE BAR.
90' Lovern skies the ball over the bar as the ref adds 3 minutes added time.

91' England has a set piece in a crossing position. Surely not?

92' Nah Kane couldn't get a touch

93' We go to extra time!

90' Rose is on for Young, Croatia is still without making a single sub.

93' Strinic leaves injured, Pivarić takes his place.

95' Rebic is yellow carded for committing a tactical foul.

97' Dier is on for Henderson.

98' OFF THE LINE. VIRSALJKO CLARES STONES'S HEADER AND PREVENTS ENGLAND FROM GOING AHEAD.
100' Krameric is on for Rebic.

105' 2 minutes added time for the first 15

107' WHAT A SAVE BY PICKFORD. MANDZUKIC IS THROUGH ON GOAL AND HIS SHOT WAS SAVED!

Halftime of extra time it's 1-1

105' Second half of extra time is underway

107' a cheeky corner by Rakitic finds Brozo free in the box but his shot is wide.

109' 53 YEARS OF HURT IT'S GANA KEEP GOING! MARIO MAD LAD ZUKIC HAS SCORED AND CROATIA ARE AHEAD!
111' Walker is off for Vardy. Will the movie get a sequel?

115' Corluka on for the goalscorer

116' Looks like Tripper is too injured to continue. England are without their goalscorer

117' The skipper is off for Milan Badlej.

FULLTIME AND CROATIA ARE GOING TO THE WORLD CUP FINAL.

Croatia 2 - 1 England

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