Croatia Through to World Cup Final
It’s World Cup heartbreak again for England as Croatia beat them 2 – 1 on Wednesday to progress to the final.
England would have been banking on the fact that the Croatia players would tire after playing extra time twice before. However, it proved a winning strategy for Croatia. They scored the winning goal in the 109th minute, avoiding penalties for the first time in the knockout stages.
England were ahead for an hour thanks to Kieran Trippier, who emerged as the set piece specialist of the tournament. The Tottenham full back fired a free kick into the top corner in the 5th minute, making it 1 – 0.
The last England player to score from a direct free kick in a World Cup was David Beckham, against Ecuador in 2006.
It was also the 9th set play goal England have scored in the tournament. Despite the fact that there is one game left, it’s likely the highest set piece conversion rate in the tournament.
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Croatia equalised in the 68th minute. Ivan Perisic got ahead of Kyle Walker to convert a Vrsaljko cross past Jordan Pickford to make it 1 – 1.
England couldn’t maintain their intensity in the second half, and weathered a Croatian storm to make it to extra time. Despite the pressure, England had a golden chance to win it.
Harry Kane was through on goal and missed. He was flagged for offside but television replays showed that he was onside. Had Kane scored, VAR would have overturned the offside decision and England would have been two up.
Croatia’s experience told in extra time, as England ran out of ideas. The Croatians didn’t tire as expected, instead using their experience to see the game out.
That experience told when Mario Mandzukic struck low past Jordan Pickford in the 109th minute. His composed finish sets up a Final clash with favorites France.
