# WC2018: Mandzukic breaks the hearts of England and pulls Croatia into the World Cup – 2018 World Cup

Moscow. Mario Mandzukic scored the decisive goal in overtime, as Croatia beat England 2-1 in the semi-finals of the World Cup in Moscow on Wednesday to establish a final meeting with France.

The Juventus striker on the 109th minute to accomplish a remarkable comeback of a crooked Croatian team and take the small nation of more than four million people into the World Cup final for the first time of their short story.

Kieran Trippier's magnificent free kick In 1965, Croatia came back in the second half and equalized thanks to Ivan Perisic before finding the necessary energy to reach the first final since 1966.

victory despite to be taken extra time for the third time in 11 days.

The biggest winners of the night could well be France, who had an extra day of rest for Sunday's final after beating Belgium 1-0 on Tuesday. 1965 9002] This does not have much importance now for Croatia, which is the smallest nation to reach the final since Uruguay in 1950.

"It was a very difficult match, we all know what was at stake, how Perisic said: "We started slowly but we showed our character, just like in the previous two rounds, when goal in both matches. were not so resilient in the past. "

England had been the one hoping to make history, when they first appeared in the semifinal in 28 years.

Then they were beaten on penalties by West Germany Having put an end to their famous penalty curse by defeating Colombia in a shootout in the round of 16, they could have repeated it here.

But Croatia, victorious on penalties against Denmark and Russia, who overturned the dream of the World Cup on the side of Gareth Southgate who had gone from the unlikely to the possible in the last month in Russia.

"We are emptied, it hurts, it hurts a lot," said captain Harry Kane, "we can keep our heads up, it was a fantastic trip, we went further than anyone thought that we would have. "

– England's Dream Start –

Croatia was looking to inspire Luka Modric to control the game, but it was he who gave The early free kick which Trippier has given advance to England in the fifth minute

It was a fantastic curling effort 25 meters from the Tottenham Hotspur side, and England would not have could imagine a better start. They were stunned, with Ivan Rakitic, usually so accomplished, especially from his game.

Zlatko Dalic 's team has gradually grown into the competition, but they could be relieved of any trouble. go to the half-time with only one goal, especially as Kane Croatia is hooked and it is to their immense merit that they turned the tide after the break, which turned into an epic encounter at the Luzhniki stadium. [1965900] They equalized in the 68th minute, when Sime Vrsaljko pbaded from the right and Perisic flew in front of the Kyle Walker who tilted to score with his left foot

. They were lucky not to be behind shortly after Perisic sent a low shot through Jordan Pickford and off the far post.

Unable to get the second goal while they were on top, Croatia was forced to extend again.

Vrsaljko A John Stones head escaped from the head, but England made Pickford thank for his excellent rescue, while Mandzukic was playing with a diabolical Perisic center

It was a miracle that the Juventus striker does not break.

He managed to continue after treatment, and he was on hand to sweep the ball after Pickford after Perisic's header in the box defended England on the jump, finally deciding to 39, a brilliant competition [ad_2]
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