2018 FIFA World Cup: England and Croatia Will Fight for the Place in the World Cup Final

Luka Modric poster

On July 7, the last matches of the quarterfinals took place at 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. By beating Sweden and Russia, the teams of England and Croatia have secured their places among 4 best teams at the World Cup and will meet in the semifinal on July 11.

England gained a victory over Sweden with the score 0:2. Thus, England got to its first semifinal in 28 years. On the 30th minute, Harry Maguire opened the score with a header to the bottom left corner after an assist from Ashley Young. On the 59th minute, the English doubled the score after a header of Dele Alli, assisted by Jesse Lingard.

Jordan Pickford was elected as Man of the Match for several key saves throughout the match. Harry Maguire, John Guidetti and Sebastian Larsson received yellow cards.

The tough game between Russia and Croatia ended with a draw 1:1 in regular time. On the 31st minute, Denis Cheryshev opened the score, assisted by Artem Dzyuba. Croatians evened the score on the 39th minute by a header of Andrej Kramaric, assisted by Mario Mandzukic

In extra time, Domagoj Vida made Croatia lead after an assist from Luka Modric on the 101th minute. However, Russia’s Mario Fernandes headed a goal after an assist of Alan Dzagoev on the 115th minute and a series of penalty was inevitable.

In the penalty shootout, Croatians turned out to be better with the score 4-3. Croatia’s Marcelo Brozoviz, Luka Modric, Domagoj Vida and Ivan Rakitic converted penalties as well as Russia’s Alan Dzagoev, Sergey Ignashevich, Daler Kuziaev. Penalties from Fedor Smolov, Mateo Kovacic were saved while Mario Fernandes missed the penalty.

Luka Modric was voted as Man of the Match after doing his best to make his team a semifinalist of 2018 World Cup. The yellow cards were shown to Dejan Lovren, Ivan Strinic, Domagoj Vida, Yuri Gazinskiy and Josip Pivaric.

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