Experience and give more time to the Croats – they win the second semifinal of World Cup 2: 1 against England. After an early backlog, Croatia is defending itself. The compensation by Persic leads to the extension, Mario Mandzukic finally pulls Croatia to victory.
Stephan Ramming, Moscow
Mario Mandzukic (17) celebrates his extra time. His 2: 1 in the 109th minute is the decisive stage, the Englishman can not answer the backlog. (Image: Imago)
Some applauded. The others were screaming. Some of them were Croats, who are in the final of the World Cup for the first time in history and who will play for France against France on Sunday. And the others are the English. They had missed a final for the second time since 1966. More recently, they failed so late in 1990 at the World Cup in Italy and then against Germany in penalties.
Early Leadership for England
This match did not quite match the quality of the other matches of this World Cup. But the Croats were finally the deserved winners, they had been the most robust team and especially the strongest mentally. Because Croatia had to overcome great resistance in this semifinal.
Very early, the English led the game on their side. Luka Modric propelled Dele Alli to his own penalty area, Kieran Trippier recovered his ball in the net and left Croatian goalkeeper Danijel Subasic in the far corner over 24 meters. It was only in the fifth minute that England coach Gareth Southgate briefly squeezed his fist and put himself back under the roof of the players bench. That went as planned, his team succeeded with the well known means: with a sleeping ball, it was already the sixth goal that England had reached after a normal situation; without counting the three penalties. If this stylistic device had helped the quarterfinals, Croatia should not be an effective remedy at the end.
Croatia beat England 2-1 after extra time in the second semifinal. And plays in the final against France. (Photo: Sergei Chirikov / EPA) At the Luschniki stadium in Moscow, Croatia plays against England in the second semifinal of the FIFA World Cup ™. There is no clear favorite. Both teams have a good chance of winning the match. (Image: Kai Pfaffenbach / Reuters) The Englishman Kane leads the scorers list of the World Cup with six goals. Fans are sure who wins and with already powerful beer in the mood. (Photo: Yuri Kochetkov / EPA) On the other side, the Croatians have a solid midfielder with Rakitic and Modric and with Rebic and Perisic both fast winger and strong Mandzukic in the storm. Your fans also have enough reasons to be confident. (Photo: Carl Recine / Reuters) The match begins, and after only 4 minutes of play, Modric sent a free kick to Alli for England. (Image: Damir Sagolj / Reuters) The free kick is executed in first class by Trippier: The ball flies over the wall and hits the upper right corner. (Image: Grigory Dukor / Reuters) Goalkeeper Subasic has no chance. It is 1-0 for England. (Image: Darren Staples / Reuters) Striker Trippier (left) is hailed by other players. (Image: Sergei Chirikov / EPA) The British are trying to stretch their heads with quick counterattacks. Like here sterling, which is slowed down by Vida. (Image: Matthias Schrader / AP) Even with standards, the English are dangerous. In the 14th minute, an angle balloon flies to the penalty spot. Maguire misses the goal with a header. (Photo: Frank Augstein / AP) The Croats also have chances: Perisic (left), here against Trippier, shoots the goal three times, but he does not succeed. (Photo: Kai Pfaffenbach / Reuters) The match is well balanced, but England leads. – Croatia's Vida in action, continued by Sterling in England. (Photo: Carl Recine / Reuters) In the 30th minute, Kane shot eight meters from the goal and failed in front of Subasic, but got the rebound just before the goal line. With a two-meter shot, he hits the post, from where the ball flies to Subasic's leg and out of the danger zone. Then offside whistle – an error. (Image: Frank Augstein / AP) Sterling (m.) Dribbles to the Croatian Gate. (Image: Abedin Taherkenareh / EPA) On the other hand, the Croatian Rebic (r.) Receives several scoring chances. (Image: Damir Sagolj / Reuters) And again, the Frankfurt based Rebic. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford needs to stretch. (Photo: Yuri Kochetkov / EPA) Middle Modric (l.) Does not really involve. Too much, he is held in check, as here by Henderson. (Image: Felipe Trueba / EPA) With big bullets, the big English have the advantage. Harry Kane beats his head against an opponent. (Image: Matthias Schrader / AP) Mandzukic is in a hurry in front of goal. After 45 minutes, it is still 1: 0. England plays smart, but even for Croatians everything is possible. They come in more degrees, but remain too harmless. (Image: Damir Sagolj / Reuters) The situation did not change much at the beginning of the second half. Croatia is looking for the gap in the opposing defense. Do not find it. Rakitic is trying it here. (Image: Felipe Trueba / EPA) Croatian Vrsaljko retains Sterling. Croatia can not find an effective way to catch up with England. (Image: Damir Sagolj / Reuters) Equalization still succeeds in the 68th minute. Perisic plays the ball with his right leg in the left corner. It is 1: 1. The Croatians applaud. (Image: Darren Staples / Reuters) Perisic's (M) Tor is not a surprise. He had chances before. (Image: Darren Staples / Reuters) Four minutes later, it is still Perisic who scores the first goal. But he hits only the good inner post. The Rebic discount (top right) may contain Pickford. Croatians dominate and come to other chances of goal. (Bild: Christian Hartmann / Reuters) The game remains exciting, both teams are doing their best to achieve the redemptive goal. However, Croatia would now have won more. Rakitic, on the ground, is invaded by two Englishmen. (Image: Frank Augstein / AP) England – Kane free kick (center, top) can not register the ball into the goal. Then the first 90 minutes are over. The game goes in extra time. (Image: Damir Sagolj / Reuters) Croatia was lucky in the 99th minute: Stones took the advantage seven meters from the finish. Vrsaljko (left, front) stands on the line and directs the ball out of the danger zone. (Photo: Carl Recine / Reuters) Croatia is doing more for the game now. In the 109th minute, Mandzukic scored from four yards 2: 1 after a bid by Perisic with the back of the head. (Photo: Damir Sagolj / Reuters) Mandzukic is unstoppable and sprints to the spectator stand. (Image: Damir Sagolj / Reuters) His teammates hug him, the cheers are huge. Can England catch up with the backlog in the remaining minutes? (Photo: Carl Recine / Reuters) Four minutes are replayed, but England can not compensate. The game is over, Croatia is the first time in a World Cup final. The victory is deserved, the team has done more for the game. (Image: Maxim Shemetov / Reuters) The English are on the ground, the disappointment is huge. (Photo: Carl Recine / Reuters) On Sunday, the Croatians will play in the final against France. (Photo: Imago)
Croatia beat England after an extra 2: 1 and is in the World Cup final
The Croatians have therefore taken a long time to recover from the initial deficit. As the British gained security, the Croats often made a step too late. It seemed that fatigue after two games of more than 120 minutes was more difficult to infiltrate into the bones and muscles of the Croats. But the English failed to score a second goal. He would have stolen from the adversary not only the physical energy, but most of all the mental energy needed to continue to believe in the World Cup final.
Croatia defends itself
England was the best team in the first half. Raheem Sterling and Dele Alli have always embarrassed the Croatian defense with speed and dribbling. Before the goal, however, the final consequence was missing. And so it is that the Croats gradually began to defend themselves through their defensive work. Maybe the scales announced what would follow – it was a feat that put Croatia in the final. It's Ivan Perisic who equalizes in a mix of kung fu fighters and last effort against English defender Kyle Walker. Shortly after, Perisic was unlucky when his shot hit the post.
From this moment, it is the Croatians who dominate the game. The fatigue was gone, and the English felt that they had no experience to return the switch in a tight match . It was mostly in overtime because the coach from England wanted to give the team a new boost, but rather the opposite effect – England wanted to save the shots on goal, Croatia's victory.
Cool-headed Mandzukic
Mario Mandzukic scored the winning goal in the 109th minute. It was not a coincidence if the goal was preceded by a ball recklessly defended. Perisic insisted in the lead with the last power and surprised the English defense. Mandzukic used the ball with a cold head.
When the referee finally had a whistle, after a last futile attempt by the English, it was time. The Croats ran into the area where their fans were and celebrated in exuberance. On the other hand, the English tried to swallow the disappointment and finally said their farewells. Or just: Some screamed. The others applauded
