2: 1 – Croatia beats England in overtime and is in the final

Mario Mandzukic is the winner of the match against England. The 32-year-old shoots in the 109th minute, the 2-1, which brings the Croatians for the first time in the World Cup final. (Image: Imago)

Youth does not triumph completely. Instead of the young England, Croatia more experienced follows the young French Sunday at 17h in the final of the World Cup. In overtime, the Croatians won for the third consecutive time at this World Cup and thus achieved their greatest triumph. It's Mario Mandzukic who scored this semi-final against England with his goal in the 109th minute. For once, such solid English defenders have not been paying enough attention to prevent the 32-year-old man from manifesting his instinct for success.

The victory was not stolen, even though the last appearance of the Croats was that they were clearing their way. tournament. But with the increase in playing time has proved their greater experience and the finer technology as crucial. The talented generation of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic has now passed the glorified 1998 Croatian generation (3rd rank) by Davor Suker at the end of a ten-year cycle. Modric has played with eleven World Cup matches as much as Croatian international international Dario Simic

England missed opportunities 2-0

For over an hour, the Croats almost missed the fast and hard-working Englishman with their fast-paced play and almost never found funds. England seemed to be the logical opponent of the French up to now, setting up an even younger team and exchanging and defending solidarity quickly.

The English showed their usual game and could have gone higher in the first period if Harry Kane Jesse Lingard used his good chances. They were in the lead since Kieran Trippier's magnificent free kick in the 5th minute. After Dele Alli was fouled by Modric, Tottenham made a magnificent free kick to the Messi at around 22 meters. It was the ninth of the twelve goals of England by a standard. Leadership has given the British a lot of security. However, they just missed it.

This was avenged in the second half. The Croats have now taken a gruff approach to the cause and have benefited more and more from the fact that the English were not so active. This is how the flank x of Ivan Perisic found takers in front of goal. The second goal of Perisic World Cup, the eighth of ten, who had fallen out of play, changed the face of the match. Now, it is the Croats who approached the head after a pole shot. England seemed suddenly to have lost some of its confidence that had just been demonstrated. Even the lack of experience became more visible – especially unlike the softer Croats who had finally torn the game dictation for themselves. England has barely scored a dangerous goal in the last half hour, with the exception of a Kanes header for a free kick in overtime.

High voltage at the end

The Croatians were followed by the third consecutive time. against Denmark and Russia. Fatigue compensated for her greater experience and skill. Mario Mandzukic had scored 2: 1 just before the break, though goaltender Jordan Pickford had not pushed back violently. However, the English also had a good chance after a corner when Croatian defender Vrsaljko could only clarify on the line. Barely five minutes later, Mandzukic wrote with his goal winning the history of the Croatian World Cup. And he left the English who enriched the tournament without being able to repeat their triumph of 1966. They play for third place against Belgium on Saturday.

Croatia: Subasic; Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic (95th Pivaric); Brozovic; Modric (119th Badelj), Rakiticus; Rebic (101. Kramaric), Mandzukic (115th Corluka), Perisic.

England: Pickford; Walker (112th Vardy), Stones, Maguire; Trippier, Lingard, Henderson (97th Dier), Alli, Young (91st Rose); Sterling (74th Rashford), Kane.

Comments: Croatia without Nikola Kalinic (injured). 30. Post kick Kane. 72. Post-shot Perisic. 117. Trippier is injured. Warnings: 48. Mandzukic (foul), 54. Walker (unsportsmanlike), 96. Rebic (foul).