Croatia defeated England 2-1 after extra time at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. They have reached their first FIFA World Cup Final with Mario Mandzukic’s extra-time goal the decisive strike. For the Three Lions, the game has started so well, with less than 5 minutes on the clock when Trippier curled a delicious free-kick past the helpless Subasic.
After the break, Croatia struck back. Vrsaljko’s pinpoint cross was met by Perisic, who snuck into a level from close range, after continually increasing the pressure on the Three Lions. Perisic in less than five minutes later found himself in the space of the penalty area of England, but his effort struck the post, and the follow-up was gratefully held by Pickford. The Inter Milan’s man effort off the woodwork was the closest either side came to take the lead before the 90 minutes were up. For England that meant facing the second period of extra time at Russia 2018 – a third consecutive additional 30 minutes undertake by Croatia.
This time Vatreni didn’t need penalties for a win. The English defense momentarily lost concentration and Mandzukic ghosted in behind. The Juventus man hammered home a historic strike to send his country into the World Cup Final.
Budweiser Man of the Match
Throughout the 120 minutes, Ivan Perisic worked tirelessly and his goal sparked a Croatian comeback. Denied only by the woodwork, the Inter Milan man could even have had a decisive brace in normal time.
The statistics
Avoiding defeat after trailing in three knockout matches at a single World Cup, Croatia is the first team to do that. They became the 13th different nation to reach their first World Cup as a result of their successive displays of determination and resilience.
Next matches
Belgium vs. England, Match for Third Place, July the 14th, Saint Petersburg
France vs. Croatia, Final, July the 15th, Moscow