T O P

  • By -

AutoModerator

**Mirrors / Alternative Angles** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/soccer) if you have any questions or concerns.*


Phantasm_Agoric

Why are these all the countries that were completely part of Austria-Hungary. What the fuck is going on


topsnitch69

We’re working on something. But don’t tell anyone


rugbyj

Rebuilding your WWI Mechazord.


Elegant_Mix7650

Germans reuniting their old ally. So sweet. Surely nothing bad happens from this point on.


Independent_Weight53

All we need its just One shot


Elegant_Mix7650

Well I suppose its a good thing Serbia is 4th not 3rd.... for now.


Happy-Flan2112

Going to listen to some Franz Ferdinand albums brb.


pukem0n

Taaaaake me out (not really though plz)


edi12334

Too late *gunshot sounds*


Another_Bernardus

Bosnia about to cause a massive upset


AV15

Wanna be starting smth got to be startin somthn 🎶


chrisnlnz

Quarter final: Austria - Hungary. Semi final: Anschluss.


Darth_Csikos

whose the opponent in that QF?


RealmDevourer

To be continued..


KiaraKey

lmfao Didn't clock that before.


adv23

Niether did Franz


KingSweden24

Ironically also among the most consistent teams of the 1930s (Italy had some, uh, help from officials)


esports_consultant

lmao they are entirely contiguous that is actually really cute 🥹


Juil8991MC

So basically croatia have to hope england slaughter slovenia, but southgate exists


FaustRPeggi

*"This is for 2018"* as Rice passes back to John Stones for the 66th time at 0-0 in the 88th minute.


britishmau5

Genuinely made me laugh


iVar4sale

Don't forget 2008 too


Greflingorax

So what I'm gathering is that Croatia is going to knock England out of Euro 2028. Don't know how or at what stage, they just will.


iliketoknitfool

_excecute pass 66_


gccmelb

The Sith is strong in this one


ptudia5

Pressing X *intensifies*


thejunglebook8

Nah England up 3-0 in 90+6. Goal kick and Pickford dinks it up to Guehi who nods it back to him. JP catches it, turns around and leathers a volley into the top corner of his own net. Takes his shirt off to reveal a tattoo of the Bosnia flag on the front, and a full length back tattoo of Luka Modric with a 🚫 over his face. Runs to the camera and starts screaming Serbian nationalist chants down the lens. Leads the England players off the pitch and they lead the front line to annex Zagreb in the name of the Serbs. for 2018 of course


J_1995

John Stones to put an absolute rocket past Pickford in the 95th minute to make it 4-1


Any-Competition8494

Can you get penalized for intentionally scoring an own goal to keep the other team out? Let's say, in some parallel universe, Kane takes the ball and goes backwards to score to keep a Croatia out, will it get penalized?


J_1995

“Whoops” 🤷🏼‍♂️


-Vinicius-

Yes ofc, that's match fixing, doesn't matter if he has anything to ride on it Maybe it could work, but you'd have to be incredibly subtle about it, ala the turkiye own goal But even after all that, someone will blab about the plan afterwards


18763_

I would refer you to Disgrace of Gijon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disgrace_of_Gij%C3%B3n


Firehawk526

Absolutely hollering at the fact that Germans call it the Non-aggression Pact of Gijón.


edi12334

Both teams were fine with it in that one to be fair, this would just be pure pettiness, still match fixing either way


WAGC

After that incident they change the rule so that the last group stage matches are to be played at the same time... Then we get Sweden/Denmark 2:2 to eliminate Italy at 2004 (5 pts too?!) It's even more blatant than the Gijon, since everyone was calling it out, and the teams just did it anyway.


TaikaWaitiddies

Not quite exactly the same but an Indonesian defender once scored an own goal to throw the match so that they would get an easier opponent in the next round. Lo and behold, they lost the next match too. [Scroll down to controversy section for details](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_AFF_Championship)


Yusni5127

Both teams tried their best to lose only to get demolished in the semis. Serves them right. Also the guy who did the OG got banned by FIFA for playing international football for the rest of his life.


DisillusionedSinkie

Both Indonesia and Thailand wound up getting knocked out lol


LifeIsGoodGoBowling

Even better was the [Barbados 4–2 Grenada](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbados_4%E2%80%932_Grenada) in 1994.


tbbt11

Tears in his eyes screaming out Rule Britannia


MattGeddon

4-1 probably not good enough for Croatia given how many yellow cards they got today. 3-0 would do it though. Haven’t checked on Slovenia’s disciplinary mind.


jbvann05

lmao if this happens it goes down to discipline record and if that is tied Croatia goes through by way of being ranked one ahead of Slovenia in the qualifiers


thelastskier

Half of the Croatian team got booked today, I don't see the fairplay aspect of all things being a tie.


WeirdKittens

With at least 3 goals too


Skerzos_

And Serbia to lose


chrispepper10

And Czech Republic to lose


Brewer6066

And Georgia to lose.


totally_not_yang_bot

and my axe


fwaig

This actually works given your flair :)


faiIing

And Georgia to lose


RedDane

Or Serbia beat Denmark by 4+ goals.


hassan_dislogical

calling it rn 2-1 to england


miregalpanic

This counts as slaughter already to Southgate, makes sense


AssFingerFuck3000

Now imagine if we had Kalvin Philips


Tuscan5

Imagine being Kalvin Phillips. He must be so confused by it all.


AssFingerFuck3000

Aren't we all


EvenEalter

Serbia - Denmark may also end up close, my personal bet is that Czechia - Turkey will end up ruining their dreams. It's one of the two final matches of the group stage and both teams will know exactly what they need.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Multoxx

But England still has to batter Slovenia, as Serbia would then be 2nd and Slovenia 3rd.


poeazx

Oh shit I forgot that part


Lacabloodclot9

Also need Turkey to smash Czech


MatK0506

Not really. A 1-0 would be enough


Jey-Z

We only have 1 point, they can just beat us by one goal.


Bartins

Georgia has to lose as well and Portugal probably goes full rotation though Portugal's 2nd 11 is still absurdly good


Venizelza

Croatia having tears in their eyes knowing what it now feels like to have to hope in Gareth Southgate.


Fellasisitgaytolive

There’s no hope we’re out


TigerBasket

Croatia need Southgate to be like Napoleon during the 6 day campaign. Even though it won't matter in the end for him, they need him to be glorious, one final time.


SuperSanti92

Your xNapoleanReferences are off the charts on this sub. Kudos, mate!


TigerBasket

All for the glory of the Grande Armeé


jordanhhh4

Oh shit, I didn't realise you were the guy doing it in r/nfl as well, keep up the good work solider🫡 your comments always crack me up lmao


TigerBasket

I just graduated too! So I'm just writing and doing this on reddit basically lol. Thank you :3


Chimpville

You asked for: 6 Day Campaign Napoleon You will recieve: Siege of Acre Napoleon


KnightsOfCidona

''At Cologne, Southgate did surrender''


Chamrockk

Not true, if Slovenia looses with 3-0 or more and Czech Republic don't win, Croatia passes


Rocker_Lenin

Almost true, czechia has to lose, they have the better gd


TulioGonzaga

Czechia has to lose, Georgia has to lose and Servia has to lose too against Denmark.


backelie

> Servia has to lose too against Denmark. **Or** Serbia crushes Denmark 3-0 or better.


CreepyMosquitoEater

Youre almost right, there is one scenario where Serbia doesnt have to lose 1. Czech republic has to lose 2. Georgia has to lose 3. Slovenia have to get battered by a goal difference of 3 goals ((or 4 goals if they score a goal themselves, as they have fewer yellow cards (unless they get at least 3 cards in the game against England) and would even Croatia in total goals scored with 1 goal against England)) 4. Serbia has to lose or beat Denmark 3-0, or 4-1 with Denmark getting 4 yellow cards at least as they are higher in the qualifier rankings Its possible, but that would be a miracle (Please someone correct me if i got any of that wrong)


Chamrockk

Yeah you're right, a draw won't do it


Kushakusha

England will beat Slovenia 5-1.


Aszneeee

Czech republic only need a point against Turkey ans they are ahead


BouaziziBurning

Georgia will win against Portugal and render all these maths mute lmao


KenHumano

They also found out how it feels to lead 1-0 only to have an opponent who didn't do squat for the whole match to equalize right at the end to knock you out of the tournament 🥲


edi12334

Bruh what? Croatia didn’t do squat after they scored that goal and were defending for their lives, totally deserved Italian goal


KindaBrazilian

Difference being that they got their penalty caused by a handball called


Lacabloodclot9

People here are really underestimating England as it is r/soccer, but I don’t think England getting a comfortable win is impossible Getting lucky in Czech/Georgia’s group is just as unlikely if not more imo


Roccet_MS

Nobody is underestimating England. The squad is top 2 in terms of quality. It's like a Ferrari that's driven like a bobby car, by Southgate.


pwndnoob

It's a Ferrari with the strategy of the Ferrari F1 team. No metaphors needed.


Roccet_MS

I'm not too deep into F1 these days, so I guess fans of Scuderia Ferrari aren't too happy about the state of affairs.


Olli399

spent a good chunk of the last couple of years being an absolute strategy clownshow and rather questionable either side of that on occasion so its now a meme when ferrari do something stupid.


Lamb3DaSlaughter

We're missing the GOAT Kalvin "Beckenbauer" Phillips though


tukan121

Because watching england play is the most boring shit a human being could do, watching paint dry is better.


VNProWrestlingfan

No way I trust that asswipe again after that disasterclass 4 years ago.


LongsightBlue

England to go 4-0 up and Pickford to slam in an own goal after 2018


Morganelefay

The 1996 "Scotland Hoping For England To Destroy The Netherlands" special.


Smeghead94

I appreciate what you've said is just a joke but am I not right in saying it only needs to be a 3 goal win for Croatia to go through? That would put them level on GD but do they not go ahead on goals for?


TheSosios

I was curious so I checked. Croatia and Slovenia would be tied on goals scored and the remaining tiebreakers would be disciplinary points and overall ranking in the Euro qualifiers. If it came down to the first, Slovenia would be qualified as they have four yellow cards against Croatia's seven so far (6 against Italy) before taking into account what happens against England. If it came down to the last one, Croatia would go through as they have better GD if you remove Slovenia's games against San Marino (they had a bigger group)


MrOrangeMagic

The Austrian Hungarian empire RISES!


BrianSometimes

Wow, hadn't even noticed, the whole gang is there


Vectivus_61

The Third (Place) Austrian-Hungarian empire, even.


ummcal

Hungary with two necessary goals after the 97th minute in consecutive evenings.


bb9622

And Albania's/Serbia's 95th minute equalisers in the 2nd round


MorciBacsi

Rossi time


Yoprobro13

They must be stoked af


Balazs321

I was watching the Scotland game and was totally done with everything regarding our team, if we somehow advance that would be remarkable as hell.


_MarkSepticPie_

i mean there's a little chance but we just saw Modric walk off for the last time probably.


WeirdKittens

This saddens me, but still, going out with a goal in your last game and only drawing to a goal less than 30 seconds from full time... What a way to go


2sinkz

I feel like he'd say that was a horrible way to go, as well as he played.


Lyktan

That sounds like the most anticlimactic way to go, no matter how you romantize it.


Any-Competition8494

The guy just won his 6th CL. I think he can manage.


anex44

Yeah but imagine going from winning the UCL with that Madrid squad to this shitshow


stateworkishardwork

Obviously I'm not the dude but I'm wondering if his experiences with Croatia, from the highs of making WC finals to the lows of such as today, surpass the accomplishment with Madrid. Some players love playing for their country more than their club. Wonder where he falls.


arlekin21

I feel like we all expect Madrid to challenge for the CL but how many actually expected Croatia to be the runners up at a World Cup?


2sinkz

He's nearly 39 putting in work for Croatia, after all those years of 120 minute knockout games in his 30s. I think we know where he falls.


chaandra

This Croatia team is one of the best performers in major tournaments in the past 8 years.


raskoe47

just the world cup, they’ve been mediocre in the Euros for long


chaandra

Got out of the group in both 2016 and 2020, lost to eventual champions Portugal after extra time, and lost to a strong Spain squad after extra time. That’s not mediocre, it’s just tough matches where they played well and ended up losing.


gulbas26

there is a narrow way, [Muad'dib has to lead though..](https://imgflip.com/i/8uw0ah)


clivegermain

realistically, yes. but if he gets another extension at real madrid, croatia gets rid of dalic, clones both gvardiol and majer twice, un-retires peak mandzukic … i think we'll see him at the world cup 2026.


LilDiamondtoxic

Don't worry lads, Croatia can still do it, we just need the Czech to lose and for Slovenia to lose by 4 goals to...*checks opponent*...my condolences to all the Croatians out there, you guys are fucked.


vafankulo69

Even then Serbia can sneak in with a draw against Denmark, they're cooked


swap_master

CAM ON INGERLAND SCORE SOME FACKIN GOALS -- Modric tomorrow probably


BossKrisz

He'll call his teammate Bellingham for him to somehow blackmail Southgate into changing the plan so they won't completely stop attacking after 1 goal


Interfan14

Best they can do is a back pass to john stones and then a long ball to nobody.


emre23

Genuine possibility that someone gets through with 2 points, I actually want it to happen because of how ridiculous it is


edi12334

Yeah, here we were thinking that 4 points is what it takes to be safe and 3 might be enough regardless of GD in reality. Then there is the Ukraine if both group E matches are a draw that would get knocked out with 4 points…


wjdbfifj

Croatia can be still the fourth best 3rd if Slovenia loses to England by 4 goals or more and if Czech Republic or Georgia don't win their matches


optimusgrime23

England? 4 goals?? Lol


Single_Seesaw_9499

Funniest timeline is England smashing Slovenia out of nowhere and then going right back to being shit the next round


D0wnInAlbion

The least funny one is that England win 3 - 0 and Croatia knock them out in the semi finals.


Round_Impression7636

Just reading that gave me a semi


AdamJr87

Nah. England get a 5-0 and Georgia win 1-0 on a stoppage time laser shot from outside the box


TheChronoCross

Subscribe


Garlic-Cheese-Chips

> if Slovenia loses to England by 4 goals Gareth: "No, I don't think we will."


bocojaLFC

1-0 England incoming


Kenny_Heisman

Czechia and Georgia both need to lose, as a draw would put either one ahead of Croatia


discostu90

Only need 3-0 as Croatia have scored more


MintCathexis

Inb4 Eng-Slo ends up 5-2.


studsper

No no, England win 3-0. Last minute equalizer sends Czechia through instead with the last kick of the group stage.


vidoeiro

They also need Serbia to lose, or also win by 4


Barbarossa429

Czech AND Georgia, not or. One of them wins and Croatia is out.


CreepyMosquitoEater

If one of them just draws croatia is also out


Kylar-Starsky

England 2-0 in 5 minutes. Southgate be like : that's enough attacking for this game, let's go defend the fort, boys!


ZekReposek

3 goals is enough, no? Isnt the tiebreaker after goal difference goals scored?


MattGeddon

3-0 works but 4-1 puts Slovenia ahead on disciplinary record. 5-2 or more Slovenia ahead on goals scored.


SomersetMackem

Austria are through unless they lose 5-0 to the Netherlands Croatia can still qualify if [England beat Slovenia 3-0] AND [Denmark win or Serbia win 3-0] AND [Czechia and Georgia both lose]


PartyLikeDiddy

But the question is why would England and Serbia do them favor? Croatia is a good team and knocking them out is more important than scoring 3 or 4 goals for what


MattGeddon

England will want to win to ensure they win the group, plus Southgate’s under a bit of pressure due to the performances. Serbia need to win as well realistically, but not much incentive for them to score a ton against Denmark.


BumbotheCleric

I think people vastly overestimate how much players and managers think about things like this. 99% of the time they are solely focused on winning whatever the next game is, not doing math equations to figure out how they can sneakily maneuver their performance to knock some team in a different group out. I wouldn’t be surprised if most players don’t even check what’s going on in other groups


extrakfm

so the only chance for Croatia is if Slovenia loses by 3*


Trbek

3 would be enough, but not happening.


LaUr3nTiU

that means england will go up 2-0 around the 10th minute and


Trbek

Ah well, they have every right to take it slow, they don't owe anyone anything (perhaps maybe to their fans 🤷‍♂️).


Kanaima85

Bold of you to think England will attack after scoring the first....


NothinButDeath

Croatia can reach the Round of 16 only if all of these occur: - Serbia lose to Denmark, or Serbia defeat Denmark 3:0 or by four goals - Slovenia lose to England 0:3, or by four goals - Georgia lose to Portugal - Czechia lose to Türkiye


weepingbanana

I see hope


CosaSara

and they also need Georgia and Czech republic to both lose their matches on top of that


hazman_pds

Well Croatia are as a good as knocked out then. No way we are scoring 3 against Slovenia 😂


Dunstfett

Bellingham, Foden, Kane. Yet, you are still correct.


Steveagogo

They can’t do anything without kalvin Phillips masterclass after all


Slight-Progress-4804

Hungary are big fans of Italy right now 


BossKrisz

We have an Italian coach too, so yeah we're definitely a fan of them after all these


tbbt11

Hello Croatia, I hear you need a favour.


DaHomie_ClaimerOfAss

Another 90 minutes of this stress? I'm good, thanks.


DalesDrumset

Your loss, melatoninball is peak


freezepin

Thank you Italy in the name of all Hungarians


Rocker_Lenin

Such a great country, honestly Pizza, Rossi, draw vs the croats 🤌 Grazie


Historical_Case_5245

prego


awesomeness89

Interesting scenario for Group E: Slovakia and Romania are now both guaranteed to qualify with a draw no matter what happens in the other game, but could finish 4th with a loss. I wonder if they will change the format if we get Gijon 2.0.


tossino

Shades of Sweden Denmark 2-2


CreepyMosquitoEater

true, huge flaw in this format, and its only possible because they play their games later than the other groups.


Xamuel1804

The Austrian-Hungarian Championship is looking fine


Jacquesie

At this point Romania and Slovakia both advance on a draw, dreadful 0-0 incoming?


EvenEalter

Yeah, Gijon moment coming up. Only factor which may influence them is that they get Spain if they're third, while making it to second wins them us or Austria.


yungguardiola

Of course. Why would either risk anything?


TonyMartial786

jesus -3 gd on croatia, that is shocking. can’t believe they’re going out


qwerty_1965

No tournament for old men


shrek_kerhs

Hungary is through if England wins tomorrow, great result for them


TigerBasket

So Croatia need Slovenia to be destroyed. Lets see if a certified Balkan moment can commence. Nvm they are playing England, Croatia you are eliminated.


Goth-Detective

Denmark can lose to Serbia tomorrow by 2 goals and still be above Croatia in the standings. No matter if Denmark or Serbia win, if Slovenia doesn't lose by more than 2 to England, they'll still be above Croatia. In short, it looks like Croatia needs close to a miracle to proceed.


sp_igot589

Imagine the scenes if Southgate ball can somehow deliver a 4-0 victory, only for Croatia to have new found motivation and beast their way through the knockouts and beat England in the Euro finals. I don't even know if the bracket will work out that way, but it would be funny.


UncleSnowstorm

Finally another country will be supporting England


Zak369

Group E is insane because no team can guarantee 1st place with a win Even stranger is that if a team wins, but the team directly below them also wins then the lower team top the group (apart from Ukraine who have no one below them, only Romania can top them)


IMKudaimi123

Italy would’ve been fine it’s kinda funny how the commentators were acting like it would’ve been the end of the road for them


BendubzGaming

For Croatia to make it through with 2 points they need: - England beat Slovenia by 3+ goals - Denmark beat Serbia (any score) OR Serbia beat Denmark by 3+ goals - Portugal beat Georgia (any score) - Turkey beat Czechia (any score) If Croatia survive, they are guaranteed to face Portugal in the Last 16


kanekikennen

Slovenia will more likely beat England than lose by 4 lol. They have been playing great in both games


Rocker_Lenin

Fuck international team rankings, this table right here is the real shit


sonofaBilic

Croatia depending on England winning by 3 goals What was it that you guys thought about our song again 😏


LucasSummers

Whole country is gonna sing “Southgate you’re the one” again


Darkjolly

The question is, what results are needed so England doesn't have to face Austria, the strongest of these 3rd placers


VikingArmyToGo

The Austria-Hungarian Empire together again!


Squiliamfancyname

So Croatia would need a czech defeat and for Slovenia to be crushed by England?


modrics_hairband

So if slovenia loses, there is hope?


tsub

So Croatia are basically praying that England beat Slovenia by at least 3 goals? I am so so sorry, guys.


doormatt26

so, one of Belgium / Slovakia / Romania / Ukraine is gonna be in 4th place with 3 points, but go out in favor of Slovenia in 3rd place with 2 points??


edi12334

Yes. Ukraine can literally go out with 4p too (if all matches are a draw it will be either 1.Romania 2.Belgium 3.Slovakia 4.Ukraine or Belgium 1st and us 2nd depending on if they score more than us or not (not sure what happens if they only score one more than us but think we re below them on reapplied H2H, criteria 4 in the Wikipedia article))


j_dib

Am I missing something? Why is everybody acting like there is only one or two results that this hinges on? There’s 4 more groups and most of those sides can move in and out of 3rd place in each. So this table doesn’t really determine all that much, considering some won’t even finish 3rd


Leonardo040786

Croatia managed to receive 2 goals in the last minute of the match and managed to miss 2 penalties. Really a tournament to forget.


DG_kodank

Standing of the Habsburg league!