What a Trippier it's Been

31/32 through the World Cup. England came into this semifinal feeling like this could finally be the year that they return to the World Cup final. Kieren Trippier's goal in the 5th minute made it seem like that dream was coming true. For 63 long minutes they held onto that lead until Croatia would tie forcing the game into extra time. As England made it's last available sub, Kieren Trippier found himself limping off with a groin injury. He went from World Cup hero to the man that would leave England one man short trying to defeat a Croatian side growing in strength. No, it isn't coming home to England. And the reigning World Champion isn't quite finished either.

England 1:2 Croatia

Kieren Trippier 5' 1-0

Ivan Perisic 68' 1-1

Mario Mandzukic 109' 1-2

			England		vs	Croatia
	Result	Points	W59	Score	Points	W60	Score	Points	Total
Artifex	Germany	0	Germany	3	0	Argentina	1	0	0
Fortuitous	Poland	0	Poland	6	0	Iceland	2	2	2
Historicus	Spain	0	Brazil	0	0	Spain	2	2	2
IoannesNix	Germany	0	Germany	3	0	Portugal	1	0	0
Musicus	Germany	0	Germany	2	0	Argentina	2	2	2
Praeceptor	Switzerland	0	Switzerland	3	0	Spain	1	0	0
Scriptor	Germany	0	Germany	1	2	Spain	0	0	2

It was Scriptor and Praeceptor's days to bank on teams to gain them points. Praeceptor chose Croatia:

Croatia
Yellow Card	Mandzukic	-8
Goal	Perisic	4
Assist	Vrsaljko	1
Yellow Card	Rebic	-9
Saves	Subasic	1
Goal	Mandzukic	17
Assist	Perisic	4
	Total	10

While Scriptor chose England:

England
Goal	Trippier	12
Saves	Pickford	15
Yellow Card	Walker	-1
	Total	26

Here are the group standings for 5th-7th:

5	Musicus	264	83
6	IoannesNix	192	51
7	Fortuitous	145	29

And the playoff results:

Praeceptor 10-0				2-0 Artifex
	Praeceptor	Champion	Scriptor
Historicus 5-2				28-2 Scriptor
	Historicus	3rd Place	Artifex

Today's Disciplinary Official is England's captain Harry Kane who can be seen here wincing into the ground from pain. He can't see anything here. As far as he knows, Luka Modric should be sent off, but the rest of the field is free to play to the end.

The Grand Salmon Alpaca