In what became Croatia’s third straight match that went into extra time, they came out victorious over England to create a match-up against France in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final.
First Half
England got off to a dream start, setting the tone for the rest of the first half.
Dele Alli won a free kick after being taken down just outside of Croatia’s box by Luka Modric. Kieran Trippier took the free kick and his right footed shot found itself soaring past a frozen Danijel Subasic.
Kieran Trippier channeling his inner David Beckham as #ENG take a 1-0 lead over #CRO.#WorldCup #TheAOSNWC pic.twitter.com/OWEwyoIJWH
— The AOSN FC (@TheAOSNFC) July 11, 2018
Croatia struggled to find scoring opportunities. After having their last two matches go to penalties, one could see there was something missing from the Croatian side.
Raheem Sterling was making things difficult for the Croatia back line. In multiple instances early on, Sterling would be seen making runs and pushing the defense back, using his speed to force movement. Even on passes that did not have much potency behind them, Sterling made sure to get to the ball. His job was to make the Croatian defense uncomfortable.
Harry Kane got incredible close to make it 2-0, as he received a pass and took a right footed shot from close range. The initial shot was saved and he was able to get one last shot, which rebounded off of the near post, off Subasic and bounced out of bounds. A late offside call was made but would have been looked at well had the ball gone in.
With little clear opportunities for Croatia, Ante Rebic put a left footed shot on goal that was easily saved by Jordan Pickford.
Croatia continued to move forwards. With one last chance in the first half via a free kick, they failed to make something out of it.
Second Half
Croatia looked to be settling in the closing minutes of the first half. They continued the trend in the second half. As a result, they had better passes and looked poised to come back.
However, England’s defense held on and the offense created opportunities of their own. The best coming from a cross by Trippier, who was trying to get a low ball to Kane. A good defensive play by the Croatian defense kept Kane’s dive towards the ball at bay and cleared the ball from the box 15 minutes into the second half.
Soon enough, Croatia’s attempts would come to fruition. A cross by Sime Vrsaljko found the English defense flat footed, leaving Ivan Perisic with the chance to deflect the ball into the back of the net in the 68th minute.
Ivan Perisic puts the boot on the cross and equalizes for #CRO.#WorldCup #TheAOSNWC pic.twitter.com/nFvVVNJGLP
— The AOSN FC (@TheAOSNFC) July 11, 2018
Croatia kept the attack going, as Perisic hit the right post in the 72nd minute. It was followed up by a Rebic one-timer off the rebound that was saved by Pickford.
Furthermore, England brought in Marcus Rashford in the 74th minute to replace Sterling. His impact was felt immediately, picking up the pace on the offensive half.
Despite the opportunities to take a late lead, both sides failed to do so.
Extra Time
For the third time in a row, Croatia went to extra time and looked to break through yet again.
In the 99th minute, a corner kick was conceded to England and taken by Trippier. The cross was met by John Stones, who put a superb header on target but it was Sime Vrsaljko who headed it out at the line to keep the match even.
In added time in the first ET, Perisic but a great cross to the feet of Mario Mandzukic. Pickford met him to make the save and force the corner, which led to the end of the first extra time.
Marcelo Brozovic was given a pass into the box off of a Rakitic corner kick but failed to put the ball on target in what was a clear shot in the 108th minute.
It was not long after when Croatia was able to take a lead. A head back towards the box by Perisic was sniffed out by Mandzukic, who was able to make the finish in the 109th minute.
Mario Mandzukic with the goal that could send #CRO to the #WorldCup final. #TheAOSNWC pic.twitter.com/YSwaaJzmsM
— The AOSN FC (@TheAOSNFC) July 11, 2018
England’s chances began to fade in the final minutes as Trippier went down with an injury and no subs left. Consequently, playing with 10 men made it an insurmountable climb for The Three Lions.
As the final whistle blew Croatia saw their spot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final clinched. This becomes their best finish as an independent nation, beating their third place finish in the 1998 tournament. They will now go on to play France in the final.
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