Dugout Discussion
15 July 2018 1453 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Sixty-three matches down, one to go. Over a month after the World Cup started, the tournament comes to a close on Sunday afternoon as France and Croatia meet at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

France will be making their third World Cup final appearance following their victory over Brazil in 1998 and loss to Italy in 2006. This is, however, unchartered territory for Croatia, who had not previously reached the final of a major international tournament since becoming an independent nation in 1991.

Luka Modric (£9.1m) has averaged only 2.5 points per game in his last four fixtures but remains the most popular Fantasy asset ahead of the final: more than 50% of McDonald’s FIFA managers own the Real Madrid midfielder.

All the money since the semi-finals has been for France players, however. Five of Didier Deschamps’ players now have ownership over 30%: Raphael Varane (£6.1m), Benjamin Pavard (£4.6m), N’Golo Kante (£6.0m), Kylian Mbappe (£9.2m) and Antoine Griezmann (£10.1m).

Pavard is the best value-for-money player left in the competition (scoring at a rate of 5.6 points per million spent) and France’s excellent defensive record (four clean sheets in six matches) has led to sizeable investment in Hugo Lloris (£5.9m) and Samuel Umtiti (£5.9m), too. Lucas Hernandez (£5.0m) is the only member of the regular French back four who has yet to score in this tournament.

The sustained interest in Kante continues to bemuse, with the Chelsea midfielder – who is admittedly available at a relatively cheap price – by far the most popular Fantasy option in the French midfield. Kante, without a goal or assist to his name this summer, hasn’t had one touch in the opposition penalty area or shot on target to date.

Aside from Modric (who had played more minutes than any other outfielder at this World Cup prior to the weekend’s matches), there isn’t a single Croatian player with an ownership over 30%. Following his goal-and-assist return in the semi-final win over England, Ivan Perisic (£8.5m) is now the most popular Croatia asset in attack.

Dejan Lovren (£5.0m) features in around a quarter of McDonald’s FIFA squads, meanwhile.

World Cup Data

We’re delighted to offer World Cup data as an early addition to our regular season offering to help those playing Fantasy games over the summer.

We’ve secured Opta data, not only for the tournament itself, but also from the Qualifying Rounds for Europe and South America and for international friendlies involving the participating nations. This includes all the matches played right up to the tournament kick-off.

Just to stress, this World Cup offering comes packaged with the regular Fantasy Football Scout membership.

Check out this new trailer detailing the World Cup content below…

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Fantasy iTeam

Fantasy Football Scout is supporting Fantasy iTeam, a free World Cup game available on a number of mobile devices, including iPhone, iPad, iPodTouch and Android. We have an official Fantasy Football Scout League open to UK users only, with a £1000 of Amazon vouchers to give out, split between the top three performers. There’s also the small matter of £10k worth of prizes available in the main competitions: Overall World Championship and Manager of the Gameround.

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Our League name is Fantasy Football Scout and the pin is 1887.

Please note, users must be over 18 and based in the UK to join our league.

  1. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    KARIUSSSS

    1. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      And he wasn't even elbowed. Spurs curse

    2. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Champions League Final and World Cup Final. What is going on??????

  2. Bun Rab
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    The Giggs Boson Curse!

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      🙂

  3. Business Cat
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    There's the Spursy Lloris!

  4. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    There’s the Lloris Spursyness

    1. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      😆

  5. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Spurs coming to the party

  6. Fantastisk
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    ITV commentators still trying to make out France don't deserve it, get a grip lads.

  7. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Lloris howler. No Spurs defence for me...

  8. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Lloris remembered he plays for Spurs!

  9. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    What an idiot! I hope Croatia punish him for that!

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      They did

  10. The Mighty Hippo
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    This World Cup has been brilliant.

    1. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Highest scoring world cup final since ...... when was it again?

      1. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Not yet

      2. Business Cat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        1998?

        France put 4 past Brasil then if I remember correctly

        1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          3-0

        2. Dr Van Nostrand
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          3 zizou double

        3. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          No it was 3-0.

      3. Paul Psychic Octopus
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        You were thinking of 1970 Brazil 4 Italy 1?

        1. Andy_Social
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          I'm old enough to remember one before that!

          1. Paul Psychic Octopus
            • 15 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Me too unfortunately.

          2. Andy_Social
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            It was supposed to be a rhetorical question, young chaps. There's even a song about it ......

            1. Paul Psychic Octopus
              • 15 Years
              7 years, 6 months ago

              Heck, and I couldn't even do the maths on that one!

  11. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Come on Modric

  12. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Mandy with a late run for the golden boot

    1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Anyone but Kane.

      1. Maddi Son
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Golden boot is coming home!

        1. Dr Van Nostrand
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Atleast we have the best penalty merchant

  13. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    This is one of the all time great World Cup Finals.

    1. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Eh 1966 says hello....

  14. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Croatia comeback=greatest World Cup final ever.

  15. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Lloris tried to do a Pickford.

  16. HamezMace
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    If only Croatia had the best defender in the world, oh wait they apparently do.

    1. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Conceded 7 in those 2 games so far. GOAT.

  17. ChristoBisto
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Why no Griezmann assists?

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      1st, different rules to FPL.
      2nd, Pogba took two shots, wouldn't even get the assist in FPL.

    2. Eden Wizard
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      1) Stupid game
      The end

  18. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Guys he had a concussion

  19. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    I think I'm 100% behind Croatia now. Pre-tournament predicted that France would win the WC, but our cleaner is Croatian.

  20. Ghost Gooner
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Some sublime moments and utter brain farts at this WC.

    1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Mainly brain farts.

      Which makes it more interesting. Unless you are a purist, which makes it embaressing.

      1. Ghost Gooner
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        The Pique handball is the worst one for me. Knocked his country out needlessly 😆

  21. Mo Mané Mo Problems
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Dramatic World Cup final?

    Lol.

  22. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Quick Croatia goal here can change things fast

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      And a 2nd goal win no reply would even things up.

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        And a goal after that without reply could even mean a win

  23. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    There must be around 500 stewards circling the pitch 😯

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      I feel sorry for the stewards spending the match with their back to the game..

      1. Paul Psychic Octopus
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Also increases the risk of being taken from behind by Pogba

    2. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      I did not know that name was so popular in Russia.

  24. Fred54
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    As a Griezmann capper...all is forgiven FPL assist rules.

  25. Maddi Son
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Randomly log on and people still taking digs at England in a Croatia v France final. Absolutely obsessed!

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Of course. We want England to win and you don't win by standing still and thinking you will improve. There are players like Rashford, Lingard, Stones who need to think about whether they are at the right club, given how few starts they get. Then there is the fact that we play 3-5-2 and have no adaptability. A lot of things to think about IMO.

      1. Paul Psychic Octopus
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Playing 3-5-2 against that Croatian midfield was suicide

      2. Maddi Son
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Hindsight is a wonderful thing. If Southgate changed the 3-5-2 system and we lost, everybody would say "Why did he change a winning system?"

        1. Paul Psychic Octopus
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Apart from people were saying this before the game. Three defenders marking Mandzukic (supposedly), wing backs out wide - meant we were outnumbered in midfield where Croatia's best players are.

          1. Maddi Son
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Still doesn't change the fact the people would criticize Southgate if he changed a winning system. 100% fact.

        2. diesel001
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Unfortunately, some of the England arrogance came back when we started doing well. We didn't show Croatia respect in the second half of the semi.

          We have to accept there are at least 10 teams better than us (France, Brazil, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Croatia, Belgium, Argentina, Uruguay etc). It is ok to play park the bus football against teams who are better than you.

          1. Maddi Son
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            I'm really glad you included that last sentence. Which means we can both agree on the fact that we over achieved. We aren't good enough to be in the final, so what's the problem?

  26. WE ARE RANGERS
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Giroud is a total donkey, never has a team won th world cup carrying their striker through the whole tournament

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Arguably he’s not in there to score goals, but to enable Griezmann and Mbappe. See France ‘98 for further reference

    2. WE ARE RANGERS
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Did not even bother running forward to help Mbappe there - total donkey

    3. HamezMace
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      That’s not really true.
      Giroud has contributed greatly to the overall performance of Mbappe and Griezmann, just because he hasn’t scored, doesn’t take away his contribution to the teams performance

    4. Ghost Gooner
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Giroud's role isn't to bring goals.

      1. Business Cat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Only via the medium of a scorpion kick

        1. Ghost Gooner
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          😆 Giroud has one of the best portfolio of goals and worst misses reel

    5. WE ARE RANGERS
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      81 minutes to late he leaves the field as world cu winner, striker with 0 goals in the tournament

    6. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Second time they won the World Cup without a goal from their main striker

  27. Waynoo
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Giroud off F**kir on

  28. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Oliver Giroud, World Cup winner.

    1. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Didn't look too happy there.

    2. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      + FA Cup.

  29. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Croatia have been let down by their defence. They pass the ball around so well. Intelligent passing all over the team.

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      They’ve been let down by their finishing too. Too many crosses bobbling around without a finish. Plenty of chances created and great buildup play

    2. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      They have one of the best defenders in the world.

    3. Ghost Gooner
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Its Perisic who really let his team down. The goals weren't CB mistakes

      1. Dr Van Nostrand
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        He scored a brilliant goal today. 3 in the tourney. The handball call was BS nothing he could do about it

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Agreed. Ridiculous pen.

  30. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    This Fekir comes one