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The 2018 FIFA World Cup continued on Saturday, July 7 evening with hosts Russia losing on penalties to Croatia at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi.
After a quick start things slowed down with Croatia having more of the ball, but in the 31st minute, Denis Cheryshev scored a goal with a placed shot.
But Croatia was not shocked and equalised in the 39th minute when Andrej Kramaric headed in a Mario Mandzukic cross. At the break it was 1-1.
The longer the match lasted in the second session the more Croatia had of the ball but without any real chances, so the match had to go into extra-time and there it got interesting again.
Croatia went ahead in the 101st minute when Vida headed in a corner, but Russia would comeback once more as Mario Fernandes headed in a Dzagoev free-kick and this now meant penalty shootout, the second for both teams in the competition.
After Smolov and Kovacic didn’t score for both teams it was Russian defender Mario Fernandes who missed and in the end Ivan Rakitic scored once more a penalty shootout winner for Croatia to reach the semifinals.
FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 – Quarterfinal
Russia 3-4,2-2,1-1 (1-1) Croatia [on penalties]
Goals: 1-0 Denis Cheryshev (31′), 1-1 Andrej Kramaric (39′), 1-2 Domagoj Vida (101′), 2-2 Mario Fernandes (115′)
Penalties: 0-0 Smolov (not scored), 0-1 Brozovic, 1-1 Dzagoev, 1-1 Kovacic (not scored), 1-1 Mario Fernandes (not scored), 1-2 Modric, 2-2 Ignashevich, 2-3 Vida, 3-3 Kuzyaev, 3-4 Rakitic
Russia: Akinfeev – Mario Fernandes, Kutepov, Ignashevich, Kudryashov – Zobnin, Kuzyaev – Samedov (54′ Erokhin), Golovin (102′ Dzagoev), Cheryshev (67′ Smolov) – Dzyuba (79′ Gazinsky)
Subs: Gabulov, Lunev, Granat, Semyonov, Smolnikov, Al. Miranchuk, An. Miranchuk, Zhirkov
Croatia: Subasic – Vrsaljko (97′ Corluka), Lovren, Vida, Strinic (74′ Pivaric) – Modric, Rakitic – Rebic, Perisic (63′ Brozovic) – Mandzukic, Kramaric (88′ Kovacic)
Subs: L. Kalinic, Livakovic, Caleta-Car, Jedvaj, Badelj, Bradaric, Pjaca
Referee: Sandro Ricci (Brazil)
Man of the Match: Lika Modric (Croatia)
