TO FACE FRANCE IN FIFA 2018 FINAL
Summary
Trippier opens scoring with free kick after five minutes
Perisic levels from close range, then hits post
Mandzukic puts Croatia ahead in second half of extra time
Trippier curls free-kick into top corner for stunning start
Perisic volleys in equaliser before Mandzukic grabs lead in extra time
England’s first semi-final appearance since 1990
Croatia reached semis in 1998 – have never played in final
Winners play France in Sunday’s final
England were the better team of the first period of extra time but Croatia take the lead! Mario Mandzukic scoring great goal from inside the box!
The first period of extra time was much more positive from England as they’re reclaiming control and pressing higher. It’s risky against opposition so capable of twisting play back in their favour though – as shown by Mario Mandzukic’s chance – but everything’s at stake.
England were the better team of the first period of extra time but Croatia take the lead! Mario Mandzukic scoring great goal from insidethe box!
The first period of extra time was much more positive from England as they’re reclaiming control and pressing higher. It’s risky against opposition so capable of twisting play back in their favour though – as shown by Mario Mandzukic’s chance – but everything’s at stake.
Croatia entered the final of the FIFA World Cup for the first time as a late goal from striker Mario Mandzukic helped them overcome a combative England with a 2-1 victory in Moscow on Wednesday to set-up a title-decider against France.
Croatia, featuring in a World Cup semi-final only for the second time after a gap of 20 years, needed a goal from Mandzukic in the 109th minute from close range after left winger Ivan Perisic (68th minute) cancelled out Kieran Trippier’s goal for England in the fifth minute from a free-kick.
England, bidding to enter the final for the first time since their World Cup-winning campaign in 1966, couldn’t cope up with a stirring comeback from an experienced Croatian side which conceded just inside five minutes
England expectedly fielded an unchanged lineup from the one which beat Colombia on penalties and defeated Sweden. England exerted early pressure as Luka Modric brought down Dele Alli on the edge of Croatia’s penalty area, resulting in a free-kick. Full-back Trippier bent home a 20-yard free-kick to the top right corner of Danijel Subasic’s goal.
It was a very quick blow for Croatia, who had brought in Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic to sit in front of the back four, with Hoffenheim attacker Andrej Kramaric relegated to the bench to counter England’s fast and direct attacking football.
England continued to press high and threaten Croatian defence with set-pice situations and after conceding the early goal meant that Croatia were desperate for the equaliser. It allowed the match to be much more free-flowing than expected.
England had a nice chance in the 15th minute when Trippier floated the ball into the box and Harry Maguire rose high to head at goal but his effort narrowly past the post. 15th minute.
Croatia shrugged off the early goal shock and they looked like they were beginning to match England’s attacking mode. Perisic’s right-footed drive narrowly missed the target despite a deflection off Kyle Walker.
Mike P: As disappointing as it is to lose to an average Croatia team, this is an excellent tournament for England and the important thing now is that we get behind this young team and make sure we press on. I predict a World Cup final in 2022.
Anon: great game! our boys have done us proud and beyond anything we could have ever reasonably and realistically have expected. i wish they had won but sometimes you need to be sane and be grateful for being one of the 4 best teams in the world. thank you mr southgate (and your waistcoats) you have raised a nation!
