World Cup Thighlights: The Semifinals

Ivan Rakitic, Croatia

I love that Ivan just FULL-ON STRIPPED after they won. The sight of him shaking hands with a fully and well-dressed Gareth Southgate sincerely makes me laugh. He's like, "Oh, dammit, sorry, is this weird for you? I always get naked when I'm gleeful."

Ivan Rakitic

"He didn't hug me. Did I do something wrong? Perhaps I should send him a ham."

Kieran Trippier

This is how Kieran spent his time on the sidelines in overtime -- either right before it started, or during the bonus halftime period, but I THINK the latter? It was very surprising to see someone getting this fully massaged on national television. But he obviously needed it; partway through the last 15-minute period, he pulled up lame and had to be helped off, and England couldn't replace him because it was out of subs. He was devastated and hobbled; it was really hard to watch. He scored a beautiful goal in a setpiece and had been booting them so well all tournament. What a sad way to end, on every level. WE LOVE YOU KIERANNNN, and not just because of your buttocks.

Domagoj Vida, Croatia

EDITORIAL USE ONLY Mandatory Credit: Photo by SERGEI CHIRIKOV/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (9757217zi) Domagoj Vida Semi Final Croatia vs England, Moscow, Russian Federation - 11 Jul 2018 Domagoj Vida of Croatia celebrates after Croatia won the FIFA World Cup 2018 semi final soccer match between Croatia and England in Moscow, Russia, 11 July 2018. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup)

Junior Thor is STOKED.

France's Kylian Mbappe, right, and Presnel Kimpembe

"Yes, I love you too, but I was just going to get my shirt off -- can you let me finish?"

Marcus Rashford, England

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Rebecca Blackwell/AP/REX/Shutterstock (9757269dd) England's Marcus Rashford reacts at the end of the semifinal match between Croatia and England at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia Russia Soccer WCup Croatia England, Moscow, Russian Federation - 11 Jul 2018

"I am too sad to take off my shirt. This is as far as my arms will take it."

Eric Dier of England

"It's not coming home. What if Prince William NEVER TWEETS AGAIN?!?"

Vincent Kompany of Belgium and Olivier Giroud of France

EDITORIAL USE ONLY Mandatory Credit: Photo by ZURAB KURTSIKIDZE/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (9754053ec) Vincent Kompany of Belgium and Olivier Giroud of France Semi Final France vs Belgium, St.Petersburg, Russian Federation - 10 Jul 2018 Vincent Kompany of Belgium (L) and Olivier Giroud of France in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 semi final soccer match between France and Belgium in St.Petersburg, Russia, 10 July 2018. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup)

"Could you just slick down your hair a TAD? I can't SEE."

Gareth Southgate

*whistles* "Don't mind me, just chillin'."

Jesse Lingard

HOW DID THIS GET THERE. What a grievous mistake indeed.

Jamie Vardy

Why didn't I pay attention to the training room photo sooner? And why, pray tell, are there training room photos at ALL?

EDITORIAL USE ONLY Mandatory Credit: Photo by TOLGA BOZOGLU/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (9754053nm) Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium Semi Final France vs Belgium, St.Petersburg, Russian Federation - 10 Jul 2018 Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium holds his son Mason after the FIFA World Cup 2018 semi final soccer match between France and Belgium in St.Petersburg, Russia, 10 July 2018. Belgium lost the match 0-1. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup)

Speaking of noodles, here is one, with his father who is basically also a fetus.

Eden Hazard, Belgium

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Kieran McManus/BPI/REX/Shutterstock (9754074ex) Eden Hazard of Belgium looks dejected France v Belgium, Semi Final, 2018 FIFA World Cup football match, Saint Petersburg Stadium, Russia - 10 Jul 2018

"They never give us Kleenex out here. It makes it very hard to have FEELINGS."

France v Belgium, Semi Final, 2018 FIFA World Cup football match, Saint Petersburg Stadium, Russia - 10 Jul 2018

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Michael Zemanek/BPI/REX/Shutterstock (9754068fy) Yannick Ferreira Carrasco of Belgium France v Belgium, Semi Final, 2018 FIFA World Cup football match, Saint Petersburg Stadium, Russia - 10 Jul 2018

I will miss these uniforms, and also of course the extra arsenal of legs and arms.

Quarter Final Sweden vs England, Samara, Russian Federation - 07 Jul 2018

EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY Mandatory Credit: Photo by SERGEI ILNITSKY/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (9744674kw) Dele Alli of England Quarter Final Sweden vs England, Samara, Russian Federation - 07 Jul 2018 Dele Alli of England celebrates scoring the 2-0 lead during the FIFA World Cup 2018 quarter final soccer match between Sweden and England in Samara, Russia, 07 July 2018. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup)

I couldn't leave out England vs. Sweden. Oh, Dele Alli. He looks so happy. IT WAS SO JOYOUS THEN. Your quads had done such impressive work on many levels.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matthias Schrader/AP/REX/Shutterstock (9744714m) England's John Stones falls during the quarterfinal match between Sweden and England at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Samara Arena, in Samara, Russia Russia Soccer WCup Sweden England, Samara, Russian Federation - 07 Jul 2018

"Shit, did we start already?!?

Russia Soccer WCup Sweden England, Samara, Russian Federation - 07 Jul 2018

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matthias Schrader/AP/REX/Shutterstock (9744714l) England's Kyle Walker, bottom vies to head the ball with Sweden's Ola Toivonen during the quarterfinal match between Sweden and England at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Samara Arena, in Samara, Russia Russia Soccer WCup Sweden England, Samara, Russian Federation - 07 Jul 2018

"Guys, I'm stuck. I'm stuck here. Someone please unhook me."

Harry Kane

"EXPELLIARMUS."

Harry Maguire

His quads did some stellar work, as did his head. Ten points for Gryffindor.

Raheem Sterling

I am very sorry that I ignored Raheem's gams this whole time, also.

Olivier Giroud

I never get tired of his photo.

Adil Rami of France

But HELLO. How did I not know about Adil until right now?!?

Gareth Southgate and Jordan Pickford

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Dave Shopland/BPI/REX/Shutterstock (9757285db) Manager Gareth Southgate of England consoles Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford of England Croatia v England, Semi Final, 2018 FIFA World Cup football match, Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia - 11 Jul 2018

Gareth does not merely hug his players. He HUGGGGS THEM. He looks like he is giving the most deep, thoughtful, healing, kind embraces in the world. "I cherish your spirit," he is saying. "You complete me."

with Raheem Sterling

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Thanassis Stavrakis/AP/REX/Shutterstock (9744706bw) England head coach Gareth Southgate embraces England's Raheem Sterling after he was substituted during the quarterfinal match between Sweden and England at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Samara Arena, in Samara, Russia Russia Soccer WCup Sweden England, Samara, Russian Federation - 07 Jul 2018

"I just want you to know that your light is matched only by the sun at its height, okay? It's important."

with Harry Mags

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Kieran McManus/BPI/REX/Shutterstock (9744684cn) Manager Gareth Southgate of England celebrates with Harry Maguire of England Sweden v England, Quarter Final, 2018 FIFA World Cup football match, Samara Arena, Russia - 07 Jul 2018

"I value you on a level that transcends the physical plane, okay?

with Harry Mags

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matthias Schrader/AP/REX/Shutterstock (9744714ax) England head coach Gareth Southgate, right, celebrates victory of his team over Sweden with England's Harry Maguire during the quarterfinal match between Sweden and England at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Samara Arena, in Samara, Russia Russia Soccer WCup Sweden England, Samara, Russian Federation - 07 Jul 2018

"No, look at me. Really hear me. Your heart is the true warrior."

with Jordan Henderson

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Frank Augstein/AP/REX/Shutterstock (9744686bd) England's Jordan Henderson hugs with England head coach Gareth Southgate during the quarterfinal match between Sweden and England at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Samara Arena, in Samara, Russia Russia Soccer WCup Sweden England, Samara, Russian Federation - 07 Jul 2018

"You are the key that opens the treasure chest of our hearts. Bring it in."

with Harry Kane

Editorial Use Only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Eddie Keogh for The FA/REX/Shutterstock (9744698bz) Harry Kane (c) and Gareth Southgate of England celebrating winning the Sweden v England, Quarter Final Sweden v England, Quarter Final, 2018 FIFA World Cup football match, Samara Arena, Russia - 07 Jul 2018

"And when your foot swings back, angels put down their harps, for no sweeter sound could they make than--" "Yes, I know. I love you too."

Phil Jones, Harry Kane

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Francisco Seco/AP/REX/Shutterstock (9757439n) England's Phil Jones hugs with England's Harry Kane, right, during the semifinal match between Croatia and England at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia Russia Soccer WCup Match Moments Day 23 Photo Gallery, Moscow, Russian Federation - 11 Jul 2018

"So all Gareth said to me was, 'You're great.' Am I off the team?!?"

Didier Deschamps

The French coach is no stranger to hugging, either.

England

Sniffle. Remember this monument to happiness? This mountain of manly human joy?

Pickford

It ended thusly.

Sime Vrsaljko, Croatia

EDITORIAL USE ONLY Mandatory Credit: Photo by ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (9757217za) Sime Vrsaljko Semi Final Croatia vs England, Moscow, Russian Federation - 11 Jul 2018 Sime Vrsaljko of Croatia celebrates after the FIFA World Cup 2018 semi final soccer match between Croatia and England in Moscow, Russia, 11 July 2018. Croatia won 2-1 after extra time. (RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup)

But Croatia played so well, and has been gutsy throughout. It's hard to be mad at losing to a team that honestly did deserve it, and found scrappy energy where we had none to give. This photo is really wonderful. Good luck, dudes. I'm rooting for you on Sunday. Give 'em hell.