Moscow: It’s not coming home; they are going home after taking part in the third place play-off. England’s dream of winning their second World Cup will remain exactly the same after they lost to Croatia 1-2 in a riveting semifinal here on Wednesday. Mario Mandzukic fired home a fine winner in extra time at the Luzhniki Stadium to steer Croatia into their first final. They will meet the mighty France for the greatest prize in football on Sunday.
With a population of just above four million, Croatia became the smallest nation after Uruguay to reach the World Cup final. The Balkan country must play out of their skin on Sunday to emulate the South Americans, who won the title in 1930 and 1950, because France are overwhelming favourites to lift the trophy at Luzhniki.
Reaching the semifinals in 1998 had been Croatia’s best achievement in the World Cup and their fairytale as a young nation ended, incidentally, against hosts France. At 20, Croatia are the lowest ranked team to qualify for the final since Fifa started the grading system in 1992.
England could not pass their first real test in Russia as they lost the plot after taking the lead in the fifth minute through Kieran Trippier’s superb free kick from 24 yards. The absence of a world-class midfielder like Luka Modric, who came alive for Croatia after a poor first-half, hurt England. Just like Belgium in the first semifinal, the Three Lions also paid the price for not making their domination count before the break.
Right wing-back Trippier made David Beckham proud with a stunning free kick to put England ahead. Trippier’s first international goal and his team’s ninth from set-pieces here was inch-perfect as it serenely sailed over the wall and into the net.
England should have doubled the lead before half-time but Harry Kane saw a shot saved by goalkeeper Danijel Subacic after being sent clear inside the box by Jesse Lingard. The leading scorer in Russia incredibly crashed the rebound on to the left-post from two yards. Although there was a late off-side call, VAR would have ratified the goal had Kane put the ball in.
England were clearly the better side in the first period with Croatia playing as if the occasion got to them. And, they also appeared tired after being involved in a shootout in the last two rounds.
Croatia were a different team after the break as they came out of the blocks like a woman scorned. The Croats kept England on their toes by swinging in crosses from both flanks. And, the equaliser came off one from the right in the 68th minute. Perisic got ahead of an unsuspecting Kyle Walker to slot in Sime Vrasaljko’s deep cross with a high left-foot. Perisic almost doubled his and his team’s tally when he hit the right post a few minutes later. Croatia’s intensity had England reeling.
The match entered its most entertaining phase as both teams went for the kill, knowing that another goal would book their ticket for Sunday’s blockbuster but it wasn’t settled in 90 minutes. Manchester City defender John Stones thought that he had put England ahead with a towering header off a corner but Vrasaljko cleared the ball on the goal line.
The winner came out of the blue and the finish from Mandzukic was delightful. The Juventus forward buried Perisic’s hopeful header from the left edge of the box with a first-time shot. Mandzukic was so sure of what he was doing that he didn’t look at the target when he pulled the trigger.
Croatia scored both goals in front of stands that were filled with their passionate fans. After the final whistle, the winners celebrated the most important result in their history with unbridled joy. For the delirious Croatian fans, the night would have been the longest of their lives.
The golden generation of Belgium may have lost the title race but Croatia’s have another shot at glory.
