Croatia – England (2018 World Cup)
Croatia and England discuss a place in the 2018 World Cup final on Wednesday afternoon, at the Luzhniki Stadium. Croatia are in their first World Cup semi-final since 1998, and have won on penalties in their last two matches, eliminating Denmark and Russia. England, on their turn, are in their first World Cup semi-final since 1990, and have won against Sweden in the previous round by a comfortable 2-0 victory.
Croatia performed well during the group stage, having qualified as leaders of Group D, ahead of Argentina, Nigeria and Iceland, and moved on to eliminate Denmark, in the round of the last 16, and Russia, in the quarter-finals, wining both games through penalties. In their last match, against the Russians, the Vatreni were more dominant, they had more possession and tried to be in control of the game, but it was Russia who created more scoring chances, most of them through counter-attacks. Croatia played 120 minutes in their last two matches, and fatigue could end up catching up with their players here.
Against a team who usually adopt a possession strategy, the Vatreni may enter here in more cautious way, with their defensive organization being their main concern, and will try to explore the space behind England’s defensive line in order to damage the three lions. Modric and Rakitic have been key-players in the Croatian midfield, they provide defensive solidity and are crucial in the organization of the offensive process. Sime Vrsaljko has been ruled out of Wednesday’s semi-final after sustaining an injury against Russia. Dejan Lovren and Danijel Subasic both missed training at the start of the week but are expected to recover in time to face England.
Probable Lineup: Subasic – Corluka, Lovren, Vida and Strinic – Brozovic and Rakitic – Rebic, Modric and Perisic – Mandzukic.
England, on their turn, qualified as Group G runners-up, they won against Tunisia and Panama but lost to Belgium, and eliminated Colombia in the last 16, also on penalties, and beat Sweden in the previous round, wining by 2-0. This is their first World Cup semi-final since 1990, and the Three Lions have had a fairly straightforward path until this point.This will be their first real test of the tournament, and the fact they are the fresher of the two sides will benefit them. Gareth Southgate’s side will be disappointed if they don’t grasp this wonderful opportunity and reach the final, since this opponent makes the opportunity of dreaming with a place in the final very real.
The three lions should enter with the same playing philosophy than they did against Sweden, lining up a 3-5-2 tactical formation, benefiting the possession and the organized attacks. Gareth Southgate’s side are strong in attacking down the wings, and have in Harry Kane their main offensive reference, with the Tottenham’s striker being currently the competitions top scorer, with 6 goals scored. Jordan Henderson has a slightly hamstring injury but England are confident he will recover in time to feature. Walker, Young and Alli recovered from minor injuries to start against Sweden on Saturday but Jamie Vardy remains a doubt. Gareth Southgate may consider Eric Dier or Fabian Delph to ease the pressure on Jordan Henderson but may feel no reason to make any changes against Croatia.
Probable Lineup: Pickford – Walker, Stones and Maguire – Henderson, Alli, Lingard, Trippier and Young – Kane and Sterling.
Croatia won 2 of their last 5 direct clashes, while England won the remaining 3.
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England
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5-1 |
 Croatia |
WC2010 UEFA
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Croatia
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1-4 |
 England |
WC2010 UEFA
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England
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2-3 |
Croatia |
Euro 2008 (Q)
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Croatia
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2-0 |
England |
Euro 2008 (Q)
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Croatia
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2-4 |
England |
Euro 2004
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Both teams should enter in the game in a very cautious way, with England having more possession throughout the game and with Croatia trying to hurt the three lions through counter-attacks. Both teams have already faced each other a few times, and in their previous five matches there have always been at least 2 goals. With both sides arriving here with a lot of quality in their offensive process, this should be an entertaining match, with several scoring chances for both ends of the pitch.
