Croatia to meet France in World Cup final after 2-1 win over England in extra-time

Source: France 24

July 11, 2018 at 18:27

© Alexander Nemenov, AFP | Croatia's midfielder Luka Modric celebrates his team's victory at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final football match between Croatia and England at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018.

Mario Mandzukic scored in the 109th minute as Croatia came from behind to beat England 2-1 after extra time on Wednesday and reach their first World Cup final, where they will face France on Sunday, and send the Balkan nation into raptures.

England, appearing in their first semi-final since 1990, had looked on course for their first final since 1966 as they led through Kieran Trippier’s fifth-minute free kick and totally dominated the opening half.

Croatia, in their first semi since 1998, levelled through Ivan Perisic after 68 minutes and then looked the more dangerous side.

??????????
It's happening.
It's real.
It's a dream come true.#CRO the #WorldCupFinal!#Vatreni?, congratulations!#BeProud #FlamingPride #CROENG #WorldCup #Family pic.twitter.com/iUvAqFOe99
— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) July 11, 2018

It stayed level at 90 minutes, meaning Croatia faced extra time for the third successive game, having got past Denmark and Russia on penalties.

But just when it looked as if they would become the first team to appear in three shootouts at a single World Cup Mandzukic struck with a well-taken low shot.

England had got off to a flying start when Trippier curled a superb free kick into the top corner.

It was his first goal for his country, England’s 12th of the tournament and ninth from a set-piece, but they should have added more from open play as they revelled in the space they were being given in the first half

Read More (...)