Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

PHOTOS: Mandzukic sends Croatia to maiden World Cup final

July 12, 2018 03:06 IST

IMAGES from the 2nd semi-final of the FIFA World Cup played between Croatia and England at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Wednesday

Croatia's Mario Mandzukic celebrates after scoring his team's second goal, the winner, in extra-time

IMAGE: Croatia's Mario Mandzukic celebrates after scoring his team's second goal, the winner, in extra-time. Photograph: Dan Mullan/Getty Images

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.

England's Kieran Trippier celebrates with teammate Harry Kane after scoring their opening goal

IMAGE: England's Kieran Trippier celebrates with teammate Harry Kane after scoring their opening goal. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

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.

England's keeper Jordan Pickford punches the ball as he makes an aerial clearance 

IMAGE: England's keeper Jordan Pickford punches the ball as he makes an aerial clearance. Photograph: Christian Hartmann/Reuters

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.

Harry Kane shot weakly at Danijel Subasic when through, then forced the rebound against a post and Raheem Sterling was a constant thorn in the Croatia defence, though again his final ball was too often astray.

England's Jesse Lingard hold off Croatia's Ivan Strinic as they vie for possession

IMAGE: England's Jesse Lingard hold off Croatia's Ivan Strinic as they vie for possession. Photograph: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

The best chance for a second goal, however, was wasted by an unmarked Jesse Lingard when he curled wide when a goal looked certain.

Croatia had been desperately poor but started to get a foothold in the game as the match rolled past the hour mark and Luka Modric's influence grew.

Croatia's Ivan Perisic takes a shot on goal

IMAGE: Croatia's Ivan Perisic takes a shot on goal. Photograph: Dan Mullan/Getty Images

England paid the price for those early misses when Perisic showed great determination to get in front of Kyle Walker to meet a curling Sime Vrsaljko cross and though his boot was arguably high, Walker was stooping and there were few complaints.

Perisic should have added another three minutes later when ragged defending presented him with a great shooting chance but he cannoned the ball against a post.

Croatia's Ivan Rakitic (right) is restrained by the referee as he gets into a scuffle with England's Dele Alli

IMAGE: Croatia's Ivan Rakitic (right) is restrained by the referee as he gets into a scuffle with England's Dele Alli. Photograph: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

It was a different game from then on, with Croatia suddenly playing with accuracy and purpose as England lost their shape and composure, though Kane missed a chance to win it in stoppage time when he headed wide from a free kick.

Vrsaljko cleared a John Stones header off the line midway through the first extra period.

But it was Croatia who struck in the 109th minute when Perisic won a header on the edge of the box and the ball dropped for Mandzukic whose firm low finish beat Pickford.

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.