Dugout Discussion

Money for the “other Harry” but Modric remains most-owned

England and Croatia meet in Moscow this evening in the second World Cup semi-final, with France having already progressed to the final last night.

It is 20 years since Croatia last featured in a World Cup semi-final, while the wait for England has been even longer: Italia ’90 was, as the country has been continually reminded, the Three Lions’ previous appearance in the last four.

Zlatko Dalic’s side comes into this tie off the back of two gruelling knockout round matches in which they were taken all the way to penalties by Denmark and hosts Russia.

England had a relatively comfortable quarter-final win over Sweden, meanwhile, though of course were indebted to Jordan Pickford’s shootout heroics in the round of 16 victory over Colombia.

With two goals and an assist to his name in the tournament already, Luka Modric (£9.1m) is the most-owned player on show this evening and indeed in the McDonald’s FIFA game overall. Over 50% of Fantasy squads now feature the Real Madrid playmaker.

Ivan Rakitic (£8.5m), who has actually had more attempts on goal than spot-kick taker and set-piece specialist Modric this summer, features in 19.7% of Fantasy sides.

Dejan Lovren (£5.0m) is the most popular Croatian defensive option in the McDonald’s FIFA game, with just under a quarter of Fantasy managers putting their faith in the Liverpool centre-back.

Defender Sime Vrsaljko (£5.5m) and goalkeeper Danijel Subasic (£5.5m) have been passed fit to play despite picking up injuries in the win over Russia.

Harry Kane (£11.2m) remains the most popular Fantasy asset in the England squad, but it’s the Three Lions’ “other Harry” who has seen the second-biggest ownership surge since the quarter-finals. Harry Maguire (£5.0m) was bought by around 340,000 new Fantasy managers ahead of Friday evening’s deadline – only Kevin De Bruyne proved a more popular buy – and the Leicester City defender’s ownership has shot up from 5.8% to 24.6% as a result.

Maguire, who scored and kept a clean sheet in the 2-0 win over Sweden, has had more penalty box touches than any other defender at this summer’s World Cup.

John Stones (£5.9m) and Jordan Pickford (£5.5m) are still the most popular routes into the England backline, however.

Jesse Lingard (£7.5m), who has had more attempts on goal than Kane in Russia, sits in 37.8% of McDonald’s FIFA squads.

England XI (3-5-2): Pickford; Stones, Maguire, Walker; Trippier, Henderson, Alli, Lingard, Young; Sterling, Kane

Croatia XI (4-2-3-1): Subasic; Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic; Rakitic, Modric; Brozovic, Perisic, Rebic; Mandzukic

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1,464 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Well done lads, mostly superb 😀

    1. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      There's another goal or 2 in this game for your lot on the counter

  2. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    I thought Rakitic was about to do a Gazza Euro 96

    1. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Same thought 😀

  3. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Selfish of Tripp to score so early when all the pints were full 😀

    1. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      That scene in Hyde Park was insane!

        1. Les Bleus
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Incredible!

  4. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    We can undo up votes now!

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Dial down?

  5. Les Bleus
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    4 English defenders in my team

    1. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      jinxed it!

      1. Les Bleus
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        :S

  6. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Jorginho + Kante in midfield.. ayayayayyy!!!

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I'm hoping Fabregas is there too in a midfield 3.

      1. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        he could be off to Napoli as part of the deal..

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Did you miss your BREAKING NEWS?

      1. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        CR7 moving to Barca on loan?

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Breaking or faking? 😆

          1. Siva Mohan
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            'Daily Mail'ing

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      How exactly is that going to work. They both screen the back 4, so one of them needs to shift forwards, right? Or do they both sit deep and have both 'full backs' bomb on?

      1. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        the later

  7. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    This shampoo advert is gangsta

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      And therefore hilarious

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      It's no Reggie Kray.

      1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Legend

  8. Make Arrows Green Again
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    What a half from England. Almost faultless. Keep it up lads!

  9. Twelve years a slave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    A few ominous signs near the end of that half.
    England starting to allow Croatia too much possesion.

    One day Pickford will pay for his passing skills

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Really got to get that killer second goal soon. It'll happen like this - Sterling brought down for pen, Kane converts.

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      It's coming home.

      1. Business Cat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        If you live in Paris 😉

  10. Patch
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    BREAKING NEWS

    If England win the world cup, Brexit will be Reversed!!!

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Because hell will freeze over and and gravity will go up

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Why? We are winning the world cup without help from Europe... our players are all from the premier league. This gets twisted only one way.

    3. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A double kick in the teeth

  11. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    30k people down in Hyde park watching the match.

    Here are the scenes for the Trippier goal.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xkcj0MbSFDA

    1. Louis_Sans_Balls
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah saw that!
      Anyone down at Flat Iron sq?

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      No chance I'm wasting a beer I've paid London prices for.

      1. Louis_Sans_Balls
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        same here mate! might as well be Gold

      2. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I bet the bar queues are an hour long too.

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          A good point. Now they either have to go without beer or miss the 2nd half.

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            1st half even. Or both.

        2. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          If they had any since the would have smuggled in a nagan down their jocks.

  12. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    I love the sprays of beer in the air at the watch parties when England score, no other country has that going for them 😆

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Sure?

    2. Louis_Sans_Balls
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      It's such a waste, what a tragedy, I literally shed tears every time, do you think I have a drinking problem?

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        England fans have the drinking problem. We don't know where our mouths are!

      2. Business Cat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        It's OK, it's probably Budweiser, not proper beer 🙂

    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      It's idiotic.

    4. 420king
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      It was the same in France last night..although less beer 😛

      1. 420king
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        They're more wine and cheese people.

        1. Louis_Sans_Balls
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Haha...really can't picture them tossing Vino in the air, would be quite amusing tho

    5. Ghost Gooner
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Waste of beer 😡

      1. Mysterion
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        It's mostly piss water so it's not too bad...

  13. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    That Volkswagon bloke is a damn messiah

  14. TokyoRed 東京赤
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Good first half

  15. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    I´m starting to think Patricio as sole starting keeper might be decent enough.
    Would save a cool 1m.

    1. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Off topic

      1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        It´s coming home?

        1. Louis_Sans_Balls
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          That's better

  16. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    All those pints of piss reigning down 😆 😆

    1. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Are Daphne & Celeste doing the half time show? 😉

  17. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    I love throwing pints !

    ITS COMING HOME !

  18. Norman Conquest
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    anybody else got a lob on right now

    1. Mysterion
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      All of England's got a semi on

      1. Norman Conquest
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        good lads/and girls ?

    2. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Semi. Bit nervous about these missed chances.

    3. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Jacqui Oatley fan?

      1. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        *Stalker

      2. Norman Conquest
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        absolutely

    4. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      It was boiling alive in the pan but then I threw it in the air

  19. Chenku╰☆╮
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Now that we are on a break.. RMT pls..

    Yeah right...

    It is coming home home home!!

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Don't worry Royal Robin will post one soon enough...

        1. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          He must have needed a new keyboard after that, most of I've ever seen him post.

  20. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Inger need that second goal and help for Hendo, Modric about to take control.

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Not sure who Inger is, but England need that second goal and help for Hendo, Modric about to take control.

  21. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    England are 45 mins away from a world cup final

    I can't believe what is happening right now

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      OMGGGGG

      1. Louis_Sans_Balls
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        ZOMG!!!

  22. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Wait, is that butland warming up?

    1. Louis_Sans_Balls
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Trying to sabotage Pick

  23. The Mighty Hippo
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    You can guarantee that the're one solitary guy standing in Hyde Park absolutely fuming 'cos he's got a whole pint slowly dripping down his back and ruining his new tee shirt.

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      ... and he's Croatian.

    2. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Pumpkinhead? 😉

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        😆

  24. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Butland playing mind games with Pickford

  25. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Any soccer on tonight?

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      UCL and Europa Qualifying Preliminary Rounds

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Channel?

        1. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Obscurity..

    2. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      🙂

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Spain vs Argentina on BBC2.

  26. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Finally, YC

  27. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Croatians doing a Colombia

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Vida does look like a cok...never mind.

    2. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      drugs?

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Their hips don’t lie

  28. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Harry Maguire has had a few dodgy defensive moments tonight

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Training for Mbappe.

  29. Louis_Sans_Balls
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Mandu YC

  30. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    What was that camera angle...

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      TV director obviously cut to the wrong camera that wasn't set up properly.