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VIDEO: The Croatian Prez celebrates in front of the Russian Prime Minister
After Croatia's 2-2 (4-3) victory at Fisht Stadium on Saturday night, Fedor Smolov remained alone inside the circle central, seeking isolation. , crying inconsolably.
Russia had just lost the opportunity to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup that she hosts. The champagne remained on the ice, the party was cruelly ended.
Croatia squeezed into the final four meters through the penalty shootout where Smolov missed, as well as Mario Fernandes, the naturalized Brazilian who brought Russia back in the 114th minute match. extensions. In the 102nd minute, Domagoj Vida's younger side managed to thwart a smolov stabbed to give Croatia the lead for the first time in the match.
In regulation time, Denis Cheryshev had broken the ice with a stun of 25 yards before Andréj Kramaric leveled.
In the shootout, Smolov's weak shot was saved by Subasic and Fernandes hit wide. Even though Igor Akinfeev saved Vedran Corulka's shot, Lika Modric, Vida and Ivan Rakitic were on target. The music has stopped for Russia but the air will haunt them for a long time.
Croatia is now traveling to the Russian capital to face England in the second semifinal.
At the beginning of the first session, all of Russia rumbled when Cheryshev gave them the advantage. Cheryshev has dazzled the brightest in the spectacular Fisht Stadium, which is an architectural marvel.
The long bullets fired by the defense, aimed at the shooter Artem Dzyuba, were the direct way in which Russia planned his attack. Alexandr Golovin won the lead to feed Cheryshev. Quickly looking at the open space on his right, he played a game-and-go with Dzyuba to create space, then released a left foot to the fear of all who attended a clbadic goal. It was the fourth time of Cheryshev in World Cup. Only Harry Kane with six more, but none so spectacular.
The Russians could not enjoy a long time, however. The momentary lapse of reason has seen the good side of the Russian defense in disarray. Ivan Strinic noticed the gap and put on a pbad for Mario Mandzukic. The Juventus striker left Mario Fernandes in his wake and brought him back to Andrej Kramaric for the equalizer.
What followed was a predictable battle of attrition until the shootout settled the result.
Stanislav Cherchesov, the Russian tactician, has never stopped believing. Not when his team failed to win seven of his friendlies before the tournament. Severe criticism from all sides failed to undermine his confidence. "It feels like conscripts, it's like we were" demobilized "a little earlier when we wanted to stay in the army a little longer, it would have been better to stay up to date. July 15, "he said during a press conference match.
The World Cup in Russia was to demystify popular beliefs, disperse myths about the country and the football team ranked at the bottom of the tournament. "I believe the key word is how we're going." The 54-year-old coach said. "Nobody considered us good before the World Cup, but we showed our value."
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