2018 World Cup – Semi-final: Victorious England, the Croatian kings of money-time



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Despite an opener by Trippier, England were not able to validate their ticket to the World Cup final. With goals from Perisic and Mandzukic, it was the Croats who pulled out to win (again) in overtime. Modric's teammates now have an appointment with France. It will be Sunday in Moscow (5 pm).

The debrief

After leaving Colombia and Sweden, the British were given favorites to continue the adventure at the 2018 World Cup. Opposed Wednesday night to a Croatian formation blunted by his marathons during the two rounds Previous, the Three Lions have quickly taken the lead on a free kick perfectly struck by Kieran Trippier (5th). Harry Maguire (14th), Harry Kane (30th) and Jesse Lingard (36th) had great situations to make the break, but the last gesture was not at the rendezvous. For their part, Luka Modric's teammates tried timidly to put Jordan Pickford's goal at risk, but England's defenders did not need to get too busy.

Same story in the second half but by managing, Gareth Southgate's troops let the Croats return to a semifinal that should never have escaped them. With an acrobatic performance of Ivan Perisic (68th), who was not far from doubling a few moments later (72nd), the men of Zlatko Dalic have completely revived the match, the English appear more and more feverish at the defensive level. Courageous, the Vatreni pulled off the extension, their third in a row in Russia. And, while the British launched hostilities with a header from John Stones who was saved on his line by Sime Vrsaljko (99th), Croatia has again responded blow for blow. If Jordan Pickford took the big game ahead of Mario Mandzukic (105th + 2), the center-forward of Juve finally ended the game in the 109th minute.

With a single shot on target, England did not know how to kill the match when the opportunity presented itself, and the Croatians confirmed their status as money-time kings. Despite an advanced state of fatigue, Danijel Subasic's teammates pulled out for a historic qualification for a World Cup final. With three games to extend, they do not leave in the best conditions before returning to France next Sunday. But the Blues are warned: this team has the art of refusing defeat. As a reminder, Croatia has lost only one of its 7 games in the knockout stage during a World Cup. It was against … France in 1998 (1-2). The time of revenge has come!

The film of the match

5th minute (0-1)
Following a mistake by Modric on Alli, England is enjoying a free kick at about twenty meters from the goal of Subasic. Full axis, Trippier bypasses the wall with a right foot strike and finds the left corner of Subasic. The goalkeeper of the ASM can only see the damage.

14th minute
Following a right-footed corner by Trippier, Maguire takes over Vida and places a shot from head not far from Subasic's left post

30th minute
Kane stomped on the back of the Croatian defense by Lingard, stumbling on a Subasic on the ground. All before hitting on the right post of the Croatian goalkeeper. The English captain is reported offside, but that does not make him forget his failure.

36th minute
Served by Kane, Alli leaves on the left side. The Tottenham midfielder delays, before serving in withdrawal Lingard. The Mancunian is the only one on the edge of the Croatian surface, with a right-footed shot that does not find the frame of Subasic's goal.

65th minute
In front of Pickford, Walker sacrifices himself by coming counter with the abdomen a shot of Perisic. The player from Inter Milan had tried his luck at the entrance to the English surface.

68th minute (1-1)
On the right side, Vrsaljko center towards Perisic who passes in front Walker to propel the ball to the bottom of Pickford's nets. The Tottenham defender finished the job with a left foot acrobatic recovery.

72nd minute
Taking advantage of an opponent's mistake, Perisic managed to clear his defender on the left side of the English surface. All before crossing a strike of the left foot that hits the left post of a beaten Pickford. Rebic resumes but it ends in the arms of the English goalkeeper.

83rd minute
Served on the right side of the English surface, Mandzukic takes the ball from the chest and goes on with a half-volley cross Right foot, but Pickford stands in.

84th minute
Croatia close to second goal! On a very aerial center, Pickford fisted, but the ball returned to the feet of Perisic who, surprised, placed the ball above the right.

99th minute
On a corner hits right side by Trippier, Stones finds himself completely alone in the Croatian surface. The central defender of Manchester City has plenty of time to arm his whim. But, while Subasic is beaten on his right, Vrsaljko saves on his line.

105th minute + 2
Huge Pickford stop! On a center from the left, Mandzukic tries his luck from the left foot at close range, but the English goalkeeper is on parade.

108th minute
Corner played in pairs with a pass in the corner from the surface for a shot without control of the left foot Brozovic! It's above! The English were not at all concentrated on this phase stopped from the left.

109eme minute (2-1)
On a delivery of the head of Perisic left side, Mandzukic finishes with a half volley of the left foot. Unchangeable cross-strokes for Pickford

Tops and flops

 Top
TOP 3

Scorer of the opening scoring (his first goal in selection), TRIPPER admired the quality of his right foot. While Ashley Young appeared in the hard, Tottenham's right-back was ubiquitous in his right lane. And this despite his duel lost at the start of the action that brings the Croatian 2nd goal.

Despite his fault that brings the free kick transformed by Kieran Trippier, MODRIC has once again shown For example, in this second semifinal of the 2018 World Cup. After a shy start, Real Madrid's midfielder has gradually grown in power. The leader of this Croatian selection played his role perfectly well.

Like his captain, PERISIC needed a good time to get into his match, but it was worth it 'wait for the winger of Inter Milan who was just huge in the second half of the game. The former goalkeeper from Sochaux, Brugge, Dortmund and Wolfsburg was the equalizer goalkeeper of all the good times during the Croatian return. Decisive passer-by for Mario Mandzukic, the number 4 rocked this encounter with envy.

 Flop
FLOP 3

Confirmed at the post of the left side, STRINIC a … confirmed his limits. At the end of the contract with Sampdoria Genoa, the native of Split will continue his career with AC Milan, but this should be in a role of lining. Given his performance in Russia, it is difficult that it is otherwise … Number 3 logically ended up giving way to Josip Pivaric (95th).

While the English are eliminated at the semifinal stage, KANE may remember for a long time his missed opportunity in the first period. That would have allowed the Three Lions to break, but the English captain was unclear. A symbolic action of the little game of the center-forward of the Spurs

If Kieran Trippier confirmed his good form of the moment, we can not say the same for A.YOUNG . For this sixth match of the World Cup, the Manchester United player (33 years) appeared particularly affected physically. Replaced by Danny Rose (91st)

Referee Report

While Lovren made more mistakes early in the match, Mr.Cakir waited for the second half to get the cards out. The Turkish referee showed pedagogy in this poster between Croatians and English. A good choice that has certainly avoided some overflows, even if some mistakes would have certainly deserved a warning.

The match sheet

2018 World Cup (Semi-final): CROATIA – ENGLAND: 2-1 (ap)

Stade Loujniki (78,011 spectators)
Gentle weather – Lawn in good condition
Arbitrator : M.Cakir (Turkey / 6 )

] Goals : Perisic (68th) and Mandzukic (109th) for Croatia – Trippier (5th) for England

Warnings : Mandzukic (48th) and Rebic (96th) for Croatia – Walker (54th) for England

Expulsion : None
 Marseille
Croatia
Subasic ( 5 ) – Vrsaljko ( 6 ), Lovren ( 5 ), Vida ( 6 ), Strinic ( 3 ) and then Pivaric (95th) – Rakitic ( 4 ), Brozovic ( 5 ) – Rebic ( 5 ) then Kramaric (101st), Modric (cap) ( 7 ) , Perisic ( 7 ) – Mandzukic ( 5 ) then Corluka (115th)

Did not participate : Kalinic (g), Livakovic (g ), Kovavic, Jedvaj, Bradaric, Caleta-Car, Badelj, Pjaca
Breeder : Z.Dalic


England
Pickford ( 5 ) – Walker ( 5 ), Stones ( 4 ), Maguire ( 6 ) – Trippier ( 6 ), Alli ( 5 ), Henderson ( 5 ) then Dier (97th), Lingard ( 4 ), Young ( 3 ) then Rose (91st) – Kane (cap) ( 3 ), Sterling ( 5 ) and Rashford (74th – 3 )

Do not have not involved : Butland (g), Pope (g), Vardy, Welbeck, Cahil, Jones, Delph, Loftus-Cheek, Alexander-Arnold
Breeder : G.Southgate

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