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<b>SteemSports Presenter:</b>@rickie
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<b>SteemSports Editor:</b>@scottybuckets
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In a game that boasts of high intensity courtesy of the Quarter-final stage of the ongoing Russia 2018 World Cup which resumed after the break yesterday, Russia who are the WC hosts would line-up against European neighbors Croatia in a sure to be fascinating fixture.
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The World Cup has been full of surprises, and it has been simply nothing short of amazing, dramatic and sometimes frustrating. We’ve witnessed it all at this World Cup – the controversies, the upsets, the fairy-tales, and even the unsung heroes. 
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Following yesterday’s Quarter-final fixtures which saw France and Belgium emerge as Semi-final opponents, it is safe to say that the Russia 2028 World Cup is now a European Tournament. Reason being that the first semi-final fixture would be solely a European fixture (France vs Belgium).
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For the Quarter final fixtures for today 7th July, featuring Sweden vs England, as well as hosts, Russia vs Croatia……do you still doubt that the tournament is now European? Well, I guess not.
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En route to the Quarter-final stage, both teams in today’s second Quarter-final fixture, Russia and Croatia had contrasting fortunes in their group phases. Hosts Russia finished second in Group A behind Uruguay, with two wins and one loss, to reach the last-16 where they edged out 2010 World Cup winners, Spain, in a thrilling penalty shoot-out. 
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Meanwhile, their opponents for today Croatia topped Group D with three wins after a clean sweep of the group with a famous 3 – 0 victory over Lionel Messi’s Argentina to reach the last-16 where they overcame Denmark via the lottery of penalties as well to set-up the quarter-final fixture against hosts Russia. 
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Not much separates the two sides in terms of head-to-head record, as both nations have only met twice competitively and once in a friendly encounter, which was most recently in November 2015, a game in which the Croats came back from a goal down to triumph 3 – 1. 
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Both teams have showcased resolute defending and efficient attack in the tournament so far, and owing to their most recent forms which ended in draws leading to penalty shoot-outs, it certainly would be fair to assume that the game tonight might be quite a cagey affair. 
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However, the quality in Croatia’s midfield and Russia’s exciting and fluid attack would most likely light up the day. 
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Suspensions/Injuries
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Injuries and suspensions are part of any football tournament, and for coaches of Russia (Stanislav Cherchesov) and Croatia (Zlatko Dalic), they would have the headache of reshuffling their squad in the absence of potentially key players.
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For Russia, Yuri Zhirkov at left wing-back would miss the fixture due to a calf-issue picked up against Spain. Alan Dzagoev was picked up a hamstring problem in Russia’s opening fixture is still doubtful, but could feature even though it is reported that he’s got a back problem.
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For Croatia, Ivan Strinic picked up an injury in the game against Denmark, but is likely to be fit for the game. Mateo Kovacic who also has a shoulder problem is expected to be fit enough to play a role in the fixture should he be needed. 
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Key Facts ahead of the fixture
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* Both teams have played each other competitively just two times and both times were during the Euro 2008 qualifiers. Both meetings ended in 0 – 0 draws. 
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* There has been only one other meeting between the sides and that was a friendly match in November 2015 which Russia led 1 – 0 before the break, only for Croatia to return and win 3 – 1 after the break.
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* Russia is hoping to emulate the last five hosts of the World Cup who featured at the Quarter-final and went on to the qualify for the Semi-final - (Italy - 1990, France - 1998, South Korea - 2002, Germany - 2006 and Brazil - 2014)
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* Last time Russia played at a World Cup Quarter-final was in 1970, when they qualified for four consecutive Quarter-final stage of the World Cup between 1958 and 1970, playing as the Soviet Union.
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* Croatia’s only previous quarter-final appearance at a World Cup was in their victory over Germany at France 1998 World Cup.
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* One of the consistent scoring team at this World Cup is Croatia, who have managed to score 16 goals in total in their last eight World Cup games.
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* 10 of Croatia’s 12 World Cup goals have been scored after half-time. 
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* In their two previous encounters against host nations of the World Cup, Croatia have lost twice (2-1 to loss in the Semis to France in 1998 and a 3-1 to loss in the group stage to Brazil in the 2014 WC).
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What are your predictions for this game? Kindly share in the comments section below.
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Thank you for following @steemsports and you can find me @rickie
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