Croatia v England 2-1 (2018 World Cup Goals and Highlights).

The World cup matches are underway with Croatia playing England at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow in the semi-final knockout stage of the World Cup

England is a slight favorite in this game, with the odds translating into a 60 percent chance to advance. The over/under is two goals. Harry Kane is the big favorite to score the first goal, at 4-1, followed by his teammate Raheem Sterlin at 9-1. Mario Mandzukic is Croatia’s most likely candidate at 11-1.

England hasn’t played Croatia since qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. England won both matches with ease, 5-1 at home and 4-1 away. England’s stars in those games like Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. are no longer part of the national team setup. But one of Croatia’s two goals was scored by 22-year-old Mario Mandzukic, who at 32 scored the goal in the victory over Denmark in the round of 16.

England’s Starting Lineup
The lineups are out and England doesn’t change a thing:

Goalkeeper: 1 Jordan Pickford (Everton)

Defenders: 6 Harry Maguire (Leicester), 5 John Stones (Manchester City), 12 Kieran Trippier (Tottenham), 2 Kyle Walker (Manchester City), 18 Ashley Young (Manchester United)

Midfielders: 20 Dele Alli (Tottenham), 8 Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), 7 Jesse Lingard (Manchester United)

Forwards: 9 Harry Kane (Tottenham), 10 Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Croatia’s Starting Lineup
For Croatia, Marcelo Brozovic has been chosen ahead of Andrej Kramaric. Brozovic was the pick against Denmark in the round of 16, but Kramaric played in the quarterfinal against Russia. The choice of Brozovic is a defense-oriented move, as he is a deeper-lying midfielder, while Kramaric plays just behind the striker, Mario Mandzukic.

Goalkeeper: 23 Danijel Subasic (Monaco)

Defenders: 21 Domagoj Vida (Besiktas), 3 Ivan Strinic (Milan), 6 Dejan Lovren (Liverpool), 2 Sime Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid)

Midfielders: 10 Luka Modric (Real Madrid), 7 Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona), 11 Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan)

Forwards: 17 Mario Mandzukic (Juventus), 4 Ivan Perisic (Inter Milan), 18 Ante Rebic (Fiorentina)

Match Analysis Live

The match starts and within minutes, Lingard is fouled right in front of the Croatia 18 yard box an lo and behold Trippier hits the freekick sweetly and scores. That’s his first international goal for England. England are in the lead. 1 – 0. Croatia have 85 minutes to equalize. Interesting game right now.

https://youtu.be/huzQVwUOhyY

England seem to be doing more of the attack with them winning more corners. You would think Croatia would be trying to equalize but the English are taking the game to them. Another corner and an England head meets the ball only to go wide. Game on!!!

Croatia back in the game having some possession of the ball but are not able to make any meaningful attack into the 18 yard box. The game seems to have settled after that goal from Trippier. Perisic tried a long range shot which hits the boot of an English player but the center referee says goal kick. Can the Croatians make anything out of their possession? Game remains 1-0 with England lead.

Lose ball by the Croatians and Raheem Sterling has the ball at his feet and is outnumbered. Sterling feeds the ball to Harry Kane who is offside. Game remains 1-0. Sterling makes use of his dribbling and pace to get past his marker but falls as he loses his balance chasing the ball. Another attack crumbles. England look to make use of their pace upfront so we may see more counter attacks. Croatia need to be careful.

Sterling tries to beat Liverpool’s defender Lovren and is fouled. Another freekick for England from the left flank. Ashley Young floats the ball into the goal mouth of the Croatians for English defenders to attack but Subasic punches the ball away.

Lingard passes a good ball into the box and Harry Kane gets a good opportunity to strike on goal and he hits the Croatian goalie and ricochets back unto Kane who can’t find the net on second try. Croatia survive another scare. England lead.

Croatia on the another end have a chance via Rebic who strikes the ball straight into the hands of Pickford. England safe!!!

Half Time! England are leading Croatia 1 goal to nil,

Second half began and n the 70th minute, Croatia equalize. Perisic makes it 1 as Croatia get themselves back in the game. The game goes into extra time and in the second half, Croatia then hung on against England who finished with 10 men when Trippier limped off and all substitutions had been made. Croatia delivers the final blow and sink England’s hopes. Mandzukic puts in the ball as the English defenders are ball watching.

https://youtu.be/MWIJtsvKM7w

See all the goals and highlights.

https://youtu.be/j1bewMpqBDE