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The 2018 FIFA World Cup continued on Wednesday, July 11 evening with Croatia beating England 2-1 in extra-time in the second semifinal at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
England had the perfect start then after a Modric foul, Kieran Trippier scored of a placed free-kick. England were in charge with Croatia shocked after going behind so early and they somehow could not get into the game, while England didn’t really push for a second goal though Harry Kane and Lingard had chances. At the break England were leading 1-0.
In the second session, Croatia had more of the ball but initially they still could not break down the English backline. Things started changing around the 65th minute with a Perisic attempt being blocked but only three minutes later a Vrsaljko cross was put in by Perisic past Kyle Walker into the net.
Croatia were now on top. Perisic on fire, but his 72nd minute attempt only hit the post and Ante Rebic’s follow-up went straight to Jordan Pickford. Croatia had more chance, but the match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, which meant the third extra-time for Croatia in this tournament.
In extra-time, England looked to have recovered and in the 99th minute a Stones header had to be cleared by Vrsaljko off the line. But in the final half of the game, Croatia were back in control and they got the winner in the 109th minute as England was unable to clear the ball, Perisic headed the ball forward and Mandzukic reacted quickest and scored.
England thereafter had no chance to equalise and Croatia won 2-1 to reach their first-ever FIFA World Cup final.
FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 – Semifinal
Croatia 1-0,1-1 (0-1) England [after extra-time]
Goals: 0-1 Kieran Trippier (5′), 1-1 Ivan Perisic (68′), 2-1 Mario Mandzukic (109′)
Croatia: Subasic – Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic (95′ Pivaric) – Brozovic, Rakitic – Rebic (101′ Kramaric), Modric (119′ Badelj), Perisic – Mandzukic (115′ Corluka)
Subs: L. Kalinic, Livakovic, Caleta-Car, Jedvaj, Bradaric, Kovacic, Pjaca
England: Pickford – Walker (112′ Vardy), Stones, Maguire – Trippier, J. Henderson (97′ Dier), A. Young (91′ D. Rose) – Lingard, Alli – Sterling (74′ Rashford), H. Kane
Subs: Butland, Pope, Alexander-Arnold, Cahill, P. Jones, Delph, Loftus-Cheek, Welbeck
Referee: Cüneyt Cakir (Turkey)
Man of the Match: Ivan Perisic (Croatia)
