ACCRA24.COM Radio: Ivan PERISIC

France vs Croatia: France overpower Croatia 4-2 to win FIFA World Cup 2018 Final Trophy [Photos]

Sunday, July 15, 2018 ACCRA24.COM 0

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> France overpower Croatia 4-2 to win FIFA World Cup 2018 Final</td></tr>
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<h3>
<ul>
<li>France are Russia 2018 champions after 4-2 win in Moscow</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Valiant Croatia are runners-up, their best-ever World Cup finish</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Deschamps becomes third man to win Trophy as player and manager</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>France overwhelmed Croatia 4-2 in the World Cup final to lift the trophy for the second time in 20 years</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The French were made to sweat initially and were lucky to go ahead when Croatia striker Mandzukic scored an own goal</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Deschamps became only the third man to win the trophy both as a player and a manager</li>
</ul>
</h3>
 
MOSCOW - RUSSIA: France won the World Cup for the second time by ending battling Croatia's dream of a first title with a 4-2 victory on Sunday in one of the most entertaining and action-packed finals for decades. 
 
France led 2-1 at halftime after a Mario Mandzukic own goal and an Antoine Griezmann VAR penalty, with Ivan Perisic briefly bringing first-time finalists Croatia level. 
 
Quickfire strikes by Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe midway through the second half put France on course for the title but Mandzukic was gifted a goal by French keeper Hugo Lloris to set up a nervous last 20 minutes. 
 
France, however, withstood a spirited Croatia assault to lift the trophy for the second time, following their success on home soil 20 years ago, and ensure there was no repeat of two years ago when they were beaten in the European Championship final by Portugal in Paris. 
 
The victory means that Didier Deschamps, captain of the 1998 side, becomes the third man to win the World Cup as player and coach after Brazil's Mario Zagallo and Germany's Franz Beckenbauer. 
 
It was the highest-scoring final since England beat West Germany 4-2 after extra-time in 1966 and the highest in normal time since Brazil beat Sweden 5-2 60 years ago. The landmarks came thick and fast in the first half too. 
 
Croatia had started full of energy but fell behind when Mandzukic, who scored the extra-time winner against England in the semi-final, became the first man to score an own goal in a World Cup final when a Griezmann free kick skidded in off his head in the 18th minute. It was the 12th own goal of the tournament. 
 
That meant it was the fourth successive knockout game that Croatia had conceded first but Perisic, who got the equaliser against England, was on hand again to level the scores 10 minutes later, smashing in a low shot after Sime Vrsaljko had headed Luka Modric's free kick across the box. 
 
But it was then Perisic's turn go from hero to zero when he flapped an arm at a corner and, after a VAR review, Argentine referee Nestor Pitana awarded the 28th penalty of the tournament, another record, which Griezmann stroked home in the 38th minute for his fourth goal of Russia 2018. 
 
That made it the highest-scoring first half since 1974, when West Germany led the Netherlands 2-1 - also the final score then. 
 
It was harsh on Croatia, who had made most of the running, and they were on top again after the break, continually winning their one-on-one duels in the air and in every tackle and forging forward in the French box with plenty of variety. 
 
 
But France's defence, so impressive all tournament, held and they went 3-1 up on the hour as Mbappe and Griezmann combined to set up Pogba on the edge of the box. His right-footed shot was blocked but he coolly curved the rebound in with his left. 
 
 
After three successive extra-time knockout games the chances of another Croatian comeback seemed slight but they looked dead and buried six minutes later. Lucas Hernandez tore down the left to set up Mbappe who drilled a low shot beyond keeper Danijel Subasic for the 19-year-old's fourth goal of the tournament. 
 
 
An awful blunder by Lloris revived Croatia, as the French keeper tried to dribble around Mandzukic only for the striker to tap the ball straight into an unguarded net. 
 
 
Croatia, beaten by the French in the semi-finals in their first World Cup appearance in 1998, continued to press but their energy was sapped and France safely held out for the victory. 
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">France are Russia 2018 champions after 4-2 win in Moscow, Russia.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">France are Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup champions after 4-2 win in Moscow.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antoine Griezmann Sealed 2018 FIFA World Cup Trophy with a kiss.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBWLWSPIqKFL0nQV_8Xd45i4kGtTNHlq6YM4YRKoyAWnXHK-uXdDlj1aWJKi9CCSXKCsZka6UIw1Ki5qs5Sj1FXTY5SA12YaE5fCHa2wBLgryPydMnXkNA2l3bCNkB0xv_b6HIIdJNhWS/s1600/Kylian-Mbappe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="768" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBWLWSPIqKFL0nQV_8Xd45i4kGtTNHlq6YM4YRKoyAWnXHK-uXdDlj1aWJKi9CCSXKCsZka6UIw1Ki5qs5Sj1FXTY5SA12YaE5fCHa2wBLgryPydMnXkNA2l3bCNkB0xv_b6HIIdJNhWS/s640/Kylian-Mbappe.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">France forward Kylian Mbappe, a goalscorer in the showpiece, takes the FIFA Young Player award. And he Sealed Trophy with a kiss.</td></tr>
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credit: The Times of India

France vs Croatia: France overpower Croatia 4-2 to win FIFA World Cup 2018 Final Trophy [Photos]

France overpower Croatia 4-2 to win FIFA World Cup 2018 Final France are Russia 2018 champions after 4-2 win in Moscow Valiant Cro...

France vs Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow - Russia on July 15, 2018 @ 5:00 PM GMT+2: 2018 FIFA World Cup Final Live

Thursday, July 12, 2018 ACCRA24.COM 1

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">France vs Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow - Russia, 2018 FIFA World Cup. </td></tr>
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<h3>
<ul>
<li>Croatia Digs Deeper, Burying England’s World Cup Dreams.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The winners of the World Cup will qualify for the 2021 FIFA Confederations Cup. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>France or Croatia will be crowned world champions after the World Cup 2018 final.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Mbappe makes French the firm favourites in FIFA 2018 World Cup final but let wait and see.</li>
</ul>
</h3>
 
This coming Sunday, July 15, 2018, 5:00 PM GMT+2; the biggest soccer will take place at the Luzhniki Stadium, is the national stadium of Russia, located in its capital city, Moscow. Its total seating capacity of 81,000 makes it the largest football stadium in Russia and one of the largest stadiums in Europe. As France and Croatia will battle it out in the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. 
 
According to GhanaSky.com soccer analyst through wikipedia, this will be the 21st final of the FIFA World Cup, a quadrennial tournament contested by the men's national teams of the member associations of FIFA. The match will be held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, on 15 July 2018 and will be contested by France and Croatia. 
 
After Uruguay and Brazil were eliminated in the quarter-finals, a European side was ensured to win the World Cup for a fourth consecutive tournament. The match is also the ninth all-European World Cup final, having most recently occurred in 2006 and 2010. 
 
The match is the third World Cup final for France, having won the 1998 final as hosts, winning 3–0 against reigning champions Brazil. France also contested the 2006 final, where they lost to Italy in a penalty shoot-out following a 1–1 draw. Only Germany (eight) and Italy (six) have reached more finals among European nations. 
 
The match is the first World Cup final for Croatia in their fifth World Cup appearance. Croatia's previous best performance was as World Cup debutants in 1998, when they finished in third place, losing 2–1 to hosts France in the semi-finals before beating the Netherlands 2–1 in the third place play-off. 
 
The final is the sixth meeting between France and Croatia, with France undefeated in the previous fixtures with three wins and two draws. The two sides first met in the 1998 World Cup semi-final, with hosts France winning 2–1. Their only other competitive meeting was during the group stage of Euro 2004, which finished as a 2–2 draw. Their next and most recent meeting was in a March 2011 friendly match, which finished as a 0–0 draw. 
 
Date: July 15, 2018, 5:00 PM GMT+2 on OFMTV.COM 
Location: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia 
Venue: Luzhniki Stadium 
Event: 2018 FIFA World Cup 
Match: Match 64  
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luzhniki Stadium inside, Moscow, Russia.</td></tr>
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<h3>
2018 FIFA World Cup Match rules [62]</h3>
<h3>
<ul>
<li>90 minutes.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>30 minutes of extra time if necessary.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Penalty shoot-out if scores still level.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Maximum of twelve named substitutes.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Maximum of three substitutions, with a fourth allowed in extra time.</li>
</ul>
</h3>
<h3>
France Route to 2018 FIFA World Cup final:</h3>
France entered the 2018 World Cup as one of the favourites to win the tournament, particularly for their strong squad featuring several youth talents. The team finished as as runners-up to Portugal at Euro 2016, which the country hosted. The team qualified for the World Cup proper after finishing first in their qualification group, ahead of Sweden and the Netherlands. 
 
At the World Cup, France were drawn into Group C alongside Australia, Denmark, and Peru. The team defeated Australia 2–1 in its opening match in Kazan, with a penalty called by the video assistant referee and scored by Antoine Griezmann followed by an own goal deflected by Australian defender Aziz Behich. In its second match, France won 1–0 over Peru on a goal scored by 19-year-old Kylian Mbappé, who became France's youngest goalscorer at a major tournament. 
 
 The victory over Peru qualified France for the knockout stage, allowing manager Didier Deschamps to rest several starting players for the final group stage match against Denmark. The match at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow finished in a scoreless draw marked by misplaced passes and goalkeeping mistakes. The team's group stage performance was characterised as lacking cohesion and failing to use its star players effectively. 
 
Finishing as winners of Group C, France were matched in the round of 16 with Group D runners-up Argentina. France won 4–3 on two goals scored by Mbappé, who also won a penalty in the opening minutes. Mbappé's performance drew comparisons to Pelé, who in 1958 was the last teenager to score twice in a World Cup match. In the quarter-finals, France defeated Uruguay 2–0 on a goal and assist by Antoine Griezmann. 
 The team advanced to a semi-final match against Belgium in St. Petersburg, which ended in a 1–0 win for the French with a corner kick headed into the goal by defender Samuel Umtiti. The French team, particularly Mbappé, were criticised for timewasting and other unsportsmanlike conduct in the semi-finals after taking the lead in the second half. 
<h3>
Croatia Route to 2018 FIFA World Cup final:</h3>
Croatia entered the 2018 World Cup as potential contenders, with their "Golden Generation" led by forward Mario Mandžukić and midfielders Marcelo Brozović, Mateo Kovačić, Luka Modrić, Ivan Perišić, and Ivan Rakitić. The team reached the round of 16 of UEFA Euro 2016, with one group stage match interrupted by protests against the Croatian Football Federation for alleged corruption that brought charges against high-level administrator Zdravko Mamić in 2017. Croatia qualified by scoring only 15 goals and finishing second to Iceland in their qualification group after appointing manager Zlatko Dalić amid a series of poor away results. Croatia advanced past Greece in the qualifying play-offs, winning the first leg 4–1 and drawing 0–0 in the second. 
 
Croatia were drawn into Group D with Argentina, Iceland, and Nigeria, considered a difficult draw due to Argentina's talent and Nigeria's historic performances. In their opening match, the team earned a 2–0 victory over Nigeria, with an own goal caused by Mandžukić and a penalty scored by Modrić. Croatia went on to upset Argentina with a 3–0 win and finished atop the group with a 2–1 win over Iceland. 
 
In the round of 16, Croatia played Denmark and earned a 1–1 after the two teams exchanged goals in the opening five minutes and a missed penalty from Modrić in stoppage time. Croatia won the subsequent penalty shootout 3–2, with three saves by goalkeeper Danijel Subašić and two saves by Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. 
 
 The team advanced to a quarter-final fixture with hosts Russia, who had defeated Spain in the round of 16, in Sochi. The Russians scored their first in the 31st minute, but Andrej Kramarić equalised for Croatia eight minutes later and kept the score at 1–1 through the end of regular time. Croatia took a 2–1 lead in extra time with a header by Domagoj Vida, but Russian defender Mário Fernandes equalised in stoppage time to trigger a penalty shootout. 
 
The shootout was won 4–3 by Croatia after two misses by Russia and a shot by Modrić that rebounded off the post and into the goal. Croatia became the second team in World Cup to win two consecutive shootouts, after Argentina in 1990. 
 
After the match, a video of Vida saying "Glory to Ukraine" prompted controversy among Russians and a warning from FIFA's disciplinary committee, which enforces a ban on political slogans. Croatia's semi-final match against England at the Luzhniki began with a free kick goal by English defender Kieran Trippier in the fifth minute. Croatia resisted several attempts by England to score a second goal and earned an equalising goal of their own through a shot by Perišić in the 68th minute. The match was won 2–1 by Croatia after a 109th minute goal by Mandžukić. 
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 </div>

France vs Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow - Russia on July 15, 2018 @ 5:00 PM GMT+2: 2018 FIFA World Cup Final Live

2018 FIFA World Cup Antoine Griezmann Croatia vs France Featured FIFA World Cup Final France vs Croatia Ivan PERISIC Kylian Mbappé Luka Modric Luzhniki Stadium Mario Mandzukic Sports France vs Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow - Russia on July 15, 2018 @ 5:00 PM GMT+2: 2018 FIFA World Cup Final Live

France vs Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow - Russia, 2018 FIFA World Cup. Croatia Digs Deeper, Burying England’s World Cup Dreams....

Croatia vs England (2-1): Croatia beat England 2-1 to set up summit clash with France in FIFA World Cup 2018 Finals

Wednesday, July 11, 2018 ACCRA24.COM 0

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ivan PERISIC goal, Croatia vs England (2-1) at Russia FIFA World Cup 2018 Semi-finals </td></tr>
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<h3>
<ul>
<li>Croatia will play France in the final on Sunday</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Croatia into their first ever FIFA World Cup Final</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Mandzukic strikes in second half of extra time to win it</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Trippier and Perisic goals send it beyond 90 minutes</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Croatia and England were level at 1-1 after 90 minutes in their semi-final contest</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>England led Croatia 1-0 at halftime after Kieran Trippier got them off to a flying start</li>
</ul>
</h3>
 
 
What a stunning performance from Croatia! They are in the final! What a story for this golden generation! 
 
England are down to ten men after Kieran Trippier has been carried off with Gareth Southgate having used all his substitutes. 
 
England were the better team of the first period of extra time but Croatia take the lead! Mario Mandzukic scoring great goal from insidethe box! 
 
Luka Modric is everywhere. Another stunning game from Croatia's talisman so far. Vatreni played much better in the second half of normal time. How much energy do they have left after their two prior 120-minute knockout round matches? 
 
Can Kane do it? 
Harry Kane hasn't been able to find his scoring touch so far today, heading wide in stoppage time. 
This is the ninth semi-final to go to extra-time. Only three of the previous times has it been decided in the half hour. Five times it has gone to penalties... 
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120+4' - Free-kick for England. Last chance? 
 
120+2' - Harry Maguire's long ball was calmly collected by Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic 
 
120' - Four minutes added as stoppage time 
 
120' - Croatia's Andrej Kramaric hit the side netting from the right 
 
119' - Time is running out for England 
 
118' - Substitution! Change for Croatia: Luka Modric is replaced by Milan Badelj 
 
117' - Bad news for England: Kieran Trippier limped off the ground 
 
116' - Corner for Croatia. Not much came off it 
 
115' - Substitution! Change for Croatia: Mario Mandzukic is replaced by Vedran Corluka 
 
112' - Substitution! Kyle Walker is replaced by Jamie Vardy 
 
109' - GOAL! Mario Mandzukic put Croatia in the lead 
 
Mandzukic scored from close range to put Croatia in the lead late in the extra time. 
 
108' - Ivan Rakitic took a quick corner kick but Marcelo Brozovic shot it well wide of England goal 
 
107' - Ivan Perisic won a corner for Croatia 
 
Second half of extra time underway... 
 
HT of extra time: It's still 1-1 in Moscow 
 
105+2' - SAVE! Jordan Pickford deflected it out for Croatia corner and denied Mario Mandzukic 
 
105' - Two minutes added as stoppage time 
 
104' - England enjoyed better possession in the first half of extra time 
 
101' - Substitution! Second change for Croatia: Ante Rebic is replaced by Andrej Kramaric 
 
99' - SAVE! John Stones header was headed out from the goal line by Sime Vrsaljko. Kieran Trippier with the delivery from the set piece 
 
98' - Eric Dier's long ranger was deflected out for an England corner 
 
97' - Substitution! Third change for England: Jordan Henderson is replaced by Eric Dier 
 
95' - Yellow Card! Croatia's Ante Rebic is booked for a foul on Danny Rose 
 
94' - Substitution! First change for Croatia: Ivan Strinic is replaced by Josip Pivaric 
 
93' - Dele Alli gave away the ball at the edge of the Croatia box 
 
ET 1st half underway... 
 
Extra-time Substitution: England's Ashley Young is replaced by Danny Rose 
 
End of regulation time: It's 1-1 between Croatia and England. Extra time to follow 
 
Croatia and England were level at 1-1 after 90 minutes in their semi-final after Croatia's Ivan Perisic scored in the 68th minute to cancel out Kieran Trippier's early free kick. Trippier curled the ball in after five minutes to get England off to a flying start but Croatia hit back when Perisic got in front of his marker to flick in a high cross from Sime Vrsaljko in the 68th minute. The match is going into extra time. 
 
90+1' - Free-kick for England from the right flank. Kieran Trippier curled it into the middle but Harry Kane's header was well wide of the Croatia goal 
 
90' - Three minutes added as stoppage time 
 
88' - Free-kick for Croatia near their penalty area. The match looks heading towards extra time 
 
83' - SAVE! Mario Mandzukic's attempt from a tight angle was palmed out by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford 
 
81' - Kieran Trippier's back pass almost cost England a goal. Ivan Perisic was on the prowl, John Stones avoided the disaster 
 
77' - Harry Kane found Jesse Lingard on the right side of the Croatian area, but the Manchester United player's attempt went across the goal mouth 
 
76' - England are struggling to stop constant waves of Croatian attacks. 
 
74' - Substitution! First change for England: Raheem Sterling is replaced by Marcus Rashford 
 
72' - MISSED! Ivan Perisic hit the far post from the left side of the England area. And on the rebound, Ante Rebic shot it straight to Jordan Pickford 
 
68' - GOAL! Ivan Perisic scored the equaliser for Croatia 
 
Sime Vrsaljko with a brilliant cross in from the right flank and Perisic beat Jordan Pickford with a high boot touch in front of Kyle Walker's head 
 
67' - Harry Kane hit the side netting from a tight angle 
 
65' - BLOCKED! Ivan Perisic's goal-bound shot was blocked out by England's Kyle Walker with his body. Walker needed some assistance to recover from the thunderous shot 
 
61' - Ivan Rakitic attempted a half-volley from the edge of England box, but he mishit it and the ball went well wide of the goal 
 
59' - Ante Rebic's cross in into England box was miscued for a Croatia corner. Then Luka Modric's delivery was punched out by Jordan Pickford 
 
56' - Jesse Lingard's attempt from the edge of Croatia box was deflected out for an England corner. Kieran Trippier's delivery was cleared out 
 
55' - Corner for Croatia. It ended with a free-kick for England for a foul inside the penalty area 
 
54' - Yellow Card! Now England's Kyle Walker booked for blocking Croatia from tacking quick throw in 
 
50' - Yellow Card! The booking was for Mario Mandzukic for showing dissent and not for Ante Rebic 
 
48' - Yellow Card Cancelled! Croatia's Ante Rebic penalised for hitting Kyle Walker with his arm while vying for a header. But he was not booked 
 
46' - Early attack from Croatia in the second half. Ante Rebic fumbled and gave away the ball inside the England box 
 
Second half underway... 
 
HT - England lead Croatia 1-0 at the halftime break 
 
England led Croatia 1-0 at halftime in their World Cup semi-final after Kieran Trippier got them off to a flying start by scoring from a free kick after five minutes. Trippier curled the ball over the Croatia wall and into the top corner from the edge of the area. England looked much more dangerous throughout and missed a golden chance to go two goals ahead when Jesse Lingard, completely free on the edge of the penalty area, curled his shot wide. 
 
45+1' - Somehow England cleared out the cross in by Luka Modric from a set piece 
 
45' - One minute added as stoppage time 
 
44' - England attack from the left flank, won a throw-in near the Croatia box 
 
40' - Free-kick for England near their own area after Ashley Young was brought down by Ante Rebic from behind 
 
36' - WIDE! Jese Lingard shot it wide of Croatia goal from the edge of the box. He received the ball from the left from Dele Alli. Good chance missed 
 
33' - Ivan Perisic's shot was blocked out by Ashley Young for a Croatia corner. Nothing came off the set piece 
 
31' - SAVE! This time it was the turn of England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to make the save. Ante Rebic with the long ranger 
 
30' - SAVE! Croatian goalkeeper Danijel Subasic denied Harry Kane from one-on-one situation. And from the rebound, Kane hit the post from tight angle 
 
27' - Free-kick for England from the left. Dejan Lovren brought down by Raheem Sterling. Ashley Young's delivery was punched out by Danijel Subasic 
 
25' - Good counter run from the right by Jesse Lingard, but his final pass was wayward and behind the charging Harry Kane and Dele Alli 
 
22' - Raheem Sterling found himself with the ball at the top of the Croatia box, but it was good defending by the Croatians. Sterling was forced to release it for Harry Kane, who was caught off-side 
 
21' - Free-kick for England at the half line for a foul on Harry Kane 
 
19' - WIDE! Ivan Perisic's attempt from diatance went just wide of England goal 
 
14' - Second corner for England. Kieron Trippier's delivery for the corner kick found Harry Maguire in the middle, but the England defender headed it wide of Croatia goal 
 
12' - Corner for England. Ashley Young with the delivery from the set piece, but the ref whistled for a free-kick for Croatia 
 
9' - Corner for Croatia. Luka Modric with the delivery but England cleared it out. 
 
5' - GOAL! Kieran Trippier scored a free-kick to put England in the lead 
 
WHAT A GOAL! England's new 'David Beckham' Trippier hit the back of the top right from the set piece. What a timing to score his first international goal. No chance for Croatian goalkeeper Danijel Subasic 
 
4' - Free-kick for England from a dangerous position. Luka Modric brought down Dele Alli just outside the Croatia area 
 
3' - Mario Mandzukic penalised for a foul on Jordan Henderson 
 
Here we go....KICK-OFF TIME 
 
*Time for National Anthems* 
 
Starting line-ups 
 
Croatia (4-3-3): Danijel Subasic; Sime Vrsaljko, Dejan Lovren, Domagoj Vida, Ivan Strinic; Luka Modric (capt), Marcelo Brozovic, Ivan Rakitic; Ante Rebic, Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Perisic. Coach: Zlatko Dalic (CRO) 
 
England (3-5-2): Jordan Pickford; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire; Kieran Trippier, Jesse Lingard, Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli, Ashley Young; Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane (capt). Coach: Gareth Southgate (ENG) 
 
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (TUR) 
 
 
TEAM NEWS 
 
England's starting line-up for their semi-final against Croatia remained unchanged for the third knockout match in a row, with coach Gareth Southgate sticking to his trusted 5-3-2 system. Captain Harry Kane, leading scorer in the tournament with six goals, will spearhead the attack alongside Raheem Sterling, who has not scored in more than 1,000 days for England, as they look to reach their first World Cup final in 52 years. 
 
 
Croatia midfielder Luka Modric, set to start, will equal Dario Simic's national record of 11 appearances at World Cups. Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic brought in midfielder Marcelo Brozovic in place of forward Andrej Kramaric in an effort to control the pace of the game. Key defender Sime Vrsaljko was passed fit to start after recovering from a knee injury. 
 
credit: The Times of India & FIFA

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