FIFA World Cup 2018 semifinals: Croatia sends England home, 2-1

July 13, 2018 On Wednesday, Croatia defeated England 2–1 in the semi-final of the 2018 FIFA Football World Cup with Mario Mandžukić scoring the winning goal in the additional time. With this victory, Croatia is in their first-ever FIFA World Cup finals, and they are to face France on Sunday.

Croatia had greater ball possession in the match. Croatian midfielder Luka Modrić committed a foul early in the game, and won a freekick for England in the 4th minute. scored from the freekick, giving England an early lead in the match. In the 14th minute, came close to doubling the lead for England, but missed. Ivan Perišić and tried to equalise soon after, but were unsuccessful. In the 30th minute, English striker was caught offside from 's through ball. and also tried their luck before the end of the first half. The first half ended with England having a one-goal advantage.

Just three minutes into the second half, Croatia's forward Mario Mandžukić was yellow-carded. In the 54th minute, English defender was also booked. Just after the one-hour mark, Ivan Rakitić missed a chance to level for Croatia. In the 68th minute, Croatia got the equalising goal as Perišić scored from 's assist. England made a substitution in the 74th minute when Marcus Rashford came on for Sterling. The second half ended with both sides tied, 1–1.

At the beginning of the additional time, England made another change; was taken off for. was injured and Croatia made a substitution in the 95th minute, replacing him with. The referee booked Rebić in the 96th minute and he was later replaced by in the 101st minute. Mario Mandžukić came to Croatia's rescue in the 109th minute, scoring from close range from Perišić's assist, which could not prevent from going to the back of the English net. came on for Walker in the 112th minute. Mandžukić injured himself and came on for him in the 115th minute. Croatia prevented England from getting an equaliser as the match ended 2–1 and Croatia advanced to their first-ever FIFA football World Cup final.

After the match, England's coach said, "At the moment we all feel the pain of defeat. I don't think realistically we expected to be here, but once you're here and played as well as we did, you want to take those opportunities in life. The dressing room is a difficult place at the moment." He also added, saying, "You have to suffer the result first sometimes. I'm hugely proud of what we've done &mdash; I couldn't have asked for any more. They've broken through a number of barriers in the past weeks."

Croatian coach said, "Nobody wanted to give in when I was preparing the first eleven, nobody wanted to say I was not ready in extra time, no one wanted to be subbed and this shows character and what makes me proud. Nobody gave up."

Croatia is to play France on Sunday in Moscow for the World Cup title.