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Mario Mandzukic scored in the 109th minute as Croatia came back from behind to beat England 2-1 after overtime on Wednesday and reach its first World Cup final, where it will face the France Sunday.
first semifinal since 1990, had been looking towards his first final since 1966 while he was leading by Kieran Trippier's free kick in the fifth minute and totally dominated the first half.
Croatia, in its first semifinal since 1998, leveled by Ivan Perisic after 68 minutes and then looked at the most dangerous side.
He stayed at the 90-minute mark, which meant Croatia faced extra time for the third consecutive game, after pbading Denmark and Russia on penalties.
But just when it seemed like they were going to become the first team to appear in three shootouts at a single World Cup, Mandzukic hit with a well-taken low shot.
England had a good start when Trippier threw a great free kick in the top corner
Croatian Mario Mandzukic scored the decisive goal of his team's semi-final against England [19659008] (Alexander Hbadenstein / Getty Images)
This was his first goal for his country, the 12th of England and the ninth of a set-set, but they should have added more open play as they reveled in the space they were given in the first round. half.
Harry Kane faintly fired on Danijel Subasic as he pbaded through, then forced the rebound against a post and Raheem Sterling was a constant thorn in Croatia's defense, although his last ball was too often misplaced.
The best opportunity for a second goal, however, was wasted by an unmarked Jesse Lingard when he huddled when a goal seemed certain. Croatia was desperately poor but began to gain a foothold in the game as the match overtook the mark of the hour and Luka Modric's influence grew.
England paid the price for these premature failures when Perisic showed great determination to pbad Kyle Walker to meet a curling center Sime Vrsaljko and although his boot was questionable, Walker leaned over and there had few complaints.
Perisic should have added another three minutes later when the ragged defense gave him a good chance to shoot but he threw the ball against a post.
It was a different match, Croatia suddenly playing with precision and determination as England lost its form and composure, although Kane missed an opportunity to take it away in the shutdowns. gambling when he 's sidelined from a free kick.
Vrsaljko cleared a John Stones header from the line in the middle of the first extra period.
But it is Croatia that struck in the 109th minute when Perisic won a header on the edge of the penalty area and the ball fell on Mandzukic whose firm and low finish beat Pickford.
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