SURPRISE RIVALS SET FOR SEMI SHOWDOWN
FOOTBALL: England and Croatia will both aim to repair long-standing World Cup semi-final wounds when they meet in Thursday’s surprise final-four encounter.
The winner faces off against Belgium or France (playing Wednesday) in the final of the 2018 World Cup, which has been perhaps the most open of all time, with an unprecedented number of upsets. Russia almost produced another boilover but the Croats won a tense penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in Sochi ye-sterday
Earlier, Harry McGuire and Dele Alli secured a 2-0 win for England over plucky Sweden.
The win set off jubilant scenes in both nations, with England reaching the semis for the first time since Italia ’90, with Bobby Robson’s team which included Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker.
Croatia has matched the golden generation of 1998 that included golden boot winner Davor Suker and inspirational captain Zvonimir Boban, with current star and skipper Luka Modric saying it filled him with pride.
“We’re very proud to be in the semifinal for the first time in 20 years. We feel we can go a step further,” Modric said.
“Playing England is always special, they’re playing a great tournament like us. They’re suffering less, but they showed great quality and we are expecting a tough match. But we’ll be ready.”
England manager Gareth Southgate lavished praise on his players, but declared there was a long way to go.
“It’s an amazing feeling. I feel privileged to be in this position. I spoke to the lads (pre-game) and none of us fancied going home,” he said.
“We have to be here another week and it’s up to us now which games we play in.”
The Three Lions got through their game unscathed and are likely to enter the clash as favourites.
Croatia’s second 120-minute clash could take a huge toll on the team, with Atletico Madrid right-back Sime Vrsaljko (ankle) limping off in extra-time while Juventus’ Mario Mandzukic will be monitored after he struggled to get through the game.
Croatia keeper Daniel Subasic is also under an injury cloud after playing through a hamstring injury although it didn’t stop him from pulling off a crucial save on Fedor Smolov’s opening spot kick which left the hosts on the back foot throughout the shootout.