Croatia will eliminate Russia in the penalty shoot-out to qualify for the World Cup semi-finals

A madly entertaining quarter-final match between Russia and Croatia produced the only fair and acceptable result: Croatia progresses dramatically and the world is spared from a semi-final Russo-English horror showdown pure.

This match was so much fun. Russia struck first, in the 30th minute: Denis Cheryshev scored a magnificent left-foot shot after a clever first attempt in the middle of the Croatian defense:

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Go! It must be a goal! Stupid post!

The last minutes of regulation were unbearably tense, Croatia dominated the possession, but Russia was still standing and looked dangerous in the counterattack. Three minutes from the end of regulation time, Croatian goalkeeper Danijel Subašić snuck onto a loose ball in the direction of the goal line and immediately stopped with what appeared to be a painful injury to the thigh. Croatia, replacing the substitutes, had no choice but to keep Subašić on the pitch, which added a bit of terror to a scorching test just moments later that Subašić did not could pierce dangerously only in a sea of ​​players. Both teams were finally lucky to win extra time.

Croatia pbaded the first period of extra time:

Domagoj Vida is credited with the goal, but take a moment to appreciate the patience of Vedran Ćorluka, who had the presence of mind not to wriggle wildly while the best opportunity of his team to a goal pbaded directly on his way. His detention paid off when a confused Russian defense allowed Vida's head to go home.

But Russia continued to come in the second half of the overtime, putting a relentless and serious pressure on the Croatian goal. Subašić deflected a torn volley and then extended to score a dangerous cross in the 111th minute, but after a horrible hand on the edge of the area in the 114th minute, the Croatian defense fell asleep on the free kick and left Mário Fernandes completely canceled in front of the goal, where he returned home with the perfect service.

The match ended in penalties, where Croatia won in part thanks to a not very impressive show by a couple of Russians. Ivan Rakitić finally gave Croatia the opportunity to get through the last kick and shit:

Croatia survived a second consecutive game ended in penalties after their thrilling victory over Denmark. Russia's race was one of the most impressive stories of the 2018 World Cup, and their fans reacted to the deflatation by saluting their team with a standing ovation standing up after the finish. Croatia advance to face England in the semifinals.