Resilient Croatians rewrite history
GRITTY SHOW Ivan Perisic comes alive with a goal and an assist as England fade out from the second half of the semifinal in Moscow Perisic 68, Mandzukic 109 Kieran Trippier became the first player to convert a direct free-kick for England at the World Cup since David Beckham in 2006 (against Ecuador). England have lost three competitive games against Croatia since the turn of the Millennium, more than against any other nation. Off target
Four minutes later, Perisic almost gave his side the lead but his shot hit the post.
It was in the fourth minute of the second half of extra-time that Mario Mandzukic found the winner. The assist? Perisic with a clever header that helped set up the shooting opportunity for Mandzukic who was more switched-on than the defenders flanking him.
“We started slowly, but we showed our character just as in the previous two knockout games when we were a goal down. Earlier, we never used to be that resilient,” Perisic said.
RESILIENT LOT
It is this new-found resilience that has helped produced one of the stories of this World Cup. Croatia have often flattered to deceive at the biggest of stages in the past. In 2008, an impressive group stage was followed by a quarter-final exit at the hands of Turkey in the European Championships.
In the same tournament eight years later, they were knocked out by Portugal after topping a tough group.
This time, there seems to be renewed belief among the players.
“When we started our preparation six weeks ago, I insisted that I cannot teach these players football. They play fantastic football already. I am in charge of some other things. This is what they have accepted. Initially, on their part there may not have been full trust and confidence but as the tournament progressed, they have gained confidence,” said Dalic.
Confidence they would need by the bagful when Croatia take on the mighty France at this same venue in Sunday’s final. But like Dalic said, they haven’t been short of that.
Twenty years ago, Croatia’s World Cup dreams had come crashing down against France in the semi-finals. “Maybe the dear lord is giving us the chance to settle a score,” said Dalic. MOSCOW: Ivan Perisic has been involved in 10 goals at major tournaments for Croatia (6 goals, 4 assists), matching the Croatia record of Davor Suker (9 goals, 1 assist).
Four of the five games in this tournament to go to extra time have involved England or Croatia. The other was Spain v Russia. Croatia became the first team to play extra-time in three consecutive World Cup matches since England in 1990.