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Posted: 8 July 2018 3:36:38
The Croats have not advanced so far to the World Cup since 1998, when the country made its first appearance. (Source: AP)
Nyet this time.
Although Russia qualified for this year's World Cup, Croatia qualified for the semi-finals with a 4-3 shootout victory on Saturday. The over-performing hosts, the lowest ranked team of the tournament in the 70th, were trying to qualify for the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since the Soviet Union finished fourth in the 1966 tournament in England. 19659004] "I left everything on the ground and unfortunately we were unlucky," said Russian midfielder Roman Zobnin. We gave everything we could.
The Croats had not advanced so far in the World Cup since 1998, when the country made its first appearance.
Croatia will then play England in the semifinal on Wednesday in Moscow. The English team beat Sweden 2-0.
The crowd being silenced in the 101st minute by Croatian defender Domagoj Vida, Russian defender Mario Fernandes scored to send the ball to another session of shoot to the net.
Fernandes, who was born in Brazil but denied a chance to play for the country's national team, sent his penalty shot to the net in the shootout, giving Croatia the advantage.
Both goalkeepers made early stops in the shootout. injured Danijel Subasic stopping the opening shot of Fedor Smolov. Igor Akinfeev then blocked an attempt by Mateo Kovacic.
At 1-1, Fernandes missed his shot – only the second player to miss in one of four World Cup shootings this year.
The teams then traded two before Ivan Rakitic scored the winning goal.
Denis Cheryshev gave the advantage to Russia with a shot in the top corner in the 31st minute. Croatia equalizes with Andrej Kramaric's head at half-time
It was the second time in a row that both teams were playing in a shootout. Russia beat Spain 4-3 and Croatia beat Denmark 3-2 in the round of 16.
Argentina in 1990 was the last team to win consecutive shots at the World Cup. He beat Yugoslavia in the quarterfinals and Italy in the semifinals that same year, which also made Italy the last host country to lose to shooting before Saturday.
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