LOST GLORY ON TABLE FOR ENGLAND AND CROATIA
ENGLAND and Croatia will aim to repair longstanding World Cup semi-final wounds when they meet in Thursday’s surprise, albeit epic final four encounter.
The winner faces off against Belgium or France in the 2018 World Cup final, which has been perhaps the most open of all-time, with an unprecedented number of upsets.
Adrenaline-filled Russia almost produced another boilover, but the higher-calibre Croats won a tense penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in Sochi.
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 semi-final 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.”
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,’’ Southgate said.