World Cup – Quarter-final: Croatia dismisses Russia and joins England in semi-final



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Croatia had to go through the penalty shootout to get rid of Russia on Saturday in the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup (2-2, 3-4 TAB). The Vatreni are therefore in the final square of the competition, where they cross the road to England.

The debrief

She had been waiting for that for twenty years. A surprise semi-finalist in 1998, Croatia will find the last four of a World Cup next Wednesday in Moscow. The Vatreni were favorites in the quarter-final against Russia. But as in the previous round, Zlatko Dalic's side had to wait for penalties to make the difference (2-2, 3-4 TAB). From the outset, both teams showed that they intended to take risks. The beginning of the meeting was thus rather animated, in spite of a small number of occasions and an obvious technical waste on both sides. Waste, however, there was not the slightest ounce in the magnificent strike of Denis Cheryshev, who opened the score very well (30th). However, the Russian fans did not really have time to catch fire as Andrej Kramaric equalized a dozen minutes later (39th).

The Croatians tried to press the accelerator during the race. second period, which they did very well when Luka Modric was relocated behind the leading striker. However, it proved insufficient to bend the brave rearguard of the Sbornaya, saved by the post on a strike from Ivan Perisic (60). The checkered selection finally took the lead during extra time, thanks to Domagoj Vida (101st). Exhausted, the Russians seemed doomed to surrender. Mario Fernandes did not agree. The side of Brazilian origin put the counters at the same level of an unstoppable head (115th), propelling the two formations to an indecisive penalty shoot-out. And at this little game, Croatia had the last word. Ivan Rakitic and his team-mates continue on their way and get the right to challenge England in the semifinals. Russia, meanwhile, can leave the competition head-high.

The film of the match

6th minute
First opportunity for Croatia! Ante Rebic manages to trigger a shot in the area despite his eccentric position. Igor Akinfeev keeps away the danger!

31st minute (1-0)
Russia opens the scoring! After a one-two with Artyom Dzyuba at 25 meters, Denis Cheryshev tries a left-footed shot. The ball is lodged in the skylight of Danijel Subasic! What a superb goal!

39th minute (1-1)
Croatia equalizes! Served on the left side, Mario Mandzukic takes advantage of the space left to infiltrate the surface. The Turinese then center to Andrej Kramaric, whose head is a hit!

60th minute
What a huge opportunity for the Croats! Igor Akinfeev misses out on a long cross by Ivan Strinic followed by a return to the axis of Andrej Kramaric. The Russians can not get out and the ball is in the feet of Ivan Perisic, who takes the time to control before hitting. His shot hits the post!

90th + 4 minute
Off-center on the right side, Fyodor Smolov shoots a powerful shot. Danijel Subasic pushes both fists!

101st minute (1-2)
Croatia takes the lead! Domagoj Vida takes a header kick from Luka Modric. Igor Akinfeev remains unresponsive and sees the ball end his race deep in the net!

112th minute
On a Russian corner, Danijel Subasic wins in the air. The ball goes to Daler Kuzyaev, whose shot is captured by the Monaco goalkeeper!

115th minute (2-2)
The Sbornaya equalizes! On free-kick, Alan Dzagoev distills a perfect center. Mario Fernandes places the ball out of reach of Danijel Subasic!

Tops and flops

 Top
TOP 3

When he moves to this level, Luka MODRIC is unplayable. Rather shy for an hour, the Croatian captain was radiant however as soon as Zlatko Dalic put him back to a position of number 10. Sharp races, millimeter passes, incessant activity … and a perfectly shot corner to Domagoj Vida, who sent the ball to the bottom of the nets (101st). His shot on goal has been transformed with great success

There may be a before and after 2018 World Cup in the career of Denis CHERYSHEV . So discreet in club, Villarreal player was in any case sparkling during the global competition. Faced with Croatia, the Russian winger has been available and has been accurate in his transmissions. He especially scored his fourth goal of the tournament with a superb strike. A new masterpiece that adds to those made against Saudi Arabia (5-0).

Against Denmark, Danijel SUBASIC had rejected three shots to the opposite goal. This time, the AS Monaco goalkeeper has only hijacked Fyodor Smolov's attempt. Enough to be decisive, and all the more since it had already been reported by several important stops during the 120 minutes of play.

 Flop
FLOP 3

Touché, Yuri Zhirkov did not take place in the starting lineup of Stanislav Cherchesov. His replacement, Fyodor KUDRYASHOV was not blatantly irreproachable. The side of the Rubin Kazan left a lot of space in his left lane, allowing Sime Vrsaljko to multiply the climbs.

Frustrating match for Ivan PERISIC . The former Brugge did not manage to stand out in the first forty-five minutes. He then had a golden opportunity in the second act … but his shot ended his race on the post (60). Replaced in the wake of Marcelo Brozovic (63rd)

Supposed to be the leader of the Russian attack, Fyodor SMOLOV leaves the World Cup without having scored a goal. Exceeded by Artyom Dzyuba in the hierarchy, Krasnodar's center-forward did not make a particularly striking start to the game. Worse: he totally missed his shot on goal, his panenka hardly convincing having been stopped by Danijel Subasic

Referee Report

Not much to say about the arbitration of Mr. Ricci. The man in black perfectly mastered his match and did not make a decision that was potentially subject to debate.

The match sheet

WORLD CUP (quarter-final) / RUSSIA – CROATIA: 2-2 ( 3-4 TAB)

Fisht Stadium (44,287 spectators)
Lawn in good condition
Arbitrator : M.Ricci ( Brazil / 7 )

Goals : Cheryshev (31st), Mario Fernandes (115th) for Russia – Kramaric (39th), Vida (101st) for Croatia

Warnings : Gazinsky (109th) for Russia – Lovren (35th), Strinic (38th), Vida (101st), Pivaric (114th) for Croatia

Expulsion : None
 Russia
Russia ]
Akinfeev (cap) ( 5 ) – Mario Fernandes ( 5 ), Kutepov ( 5 ), Ignashevich ( 5 ), Kudryashov ( 5 ) – Zobni n ( 6 ), Kuzyaev ( 5 ) – Samedov ( 5 ) then Erokhin (54th), Golovin ( 6 ) and then Dzagoev (103rd), Cheryshev ( 7 ) then Smolov (67th) – Dzyuba ( 6 ) then Gazinsky (79th)

Did not participate : Lunyov (g), Gabulov (g), Semenov, Granat, Al.Miranchuk, An.Miranchuk, Zhirkov, Smolnikov
Breeder : S.Cherchesov

 Croatia
Croatia
Subasic ( 7 ) – Vrsaljko ( 6 ) then Corluka (97th), Lovren ( 5 ), Vida () 6 ), Strinic ( 5 ) then Pivaric (74th) – Rakitic ( 5 ), Modric (cap) ( 7 ) – Rebic ( 6 ), Kramaric ( 6 ) then Kovacic (88th), Perisic ( 4 ) then Brozovic (63rd) – Mandzukic ( 5 )

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

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