BHARGAB SARMAH

MOSCOW: Three minutes had passed in the first half of extratime when Croatia left back Ivan Strinic went down, clutching his leg.

A minute later he limped off and watched from the bench his team scripting a stunning 2-1 win against England in the semi-final at Luzhniki Stadium here on Wednesday.

Strinc was replaced by Josip Pivaric. As strange as it may sound, it was Croatia’s first substitution.

Prior to the semi-final, there had been a lot of talk about fatigue setting in for a team that had been i nvolved i n two exhausting knockout games over the last week, both going into penalty shootouts.

This was the third straight game to go into extra-time for Croatia. Yet, by then Croatia were controlling proceedings and England, supposedly fresher, failed to get a sniff at goal.

“What the players did today -the strength they have shown, the stamina, the energy -- was incredible. I wanted to make substitutions but no one wanted to be subbed. I have to tip my hat to our doctors and medical staff. Some players played with minor injuries today. Two played with half-a-leg. Nobody wanted to say ‘I am not ready’. In extratime, no one wanted to come off,” coach Zlatko Dalic said after the game.

SUBDUED START

Yet, when the game began with a sizeable English presence in the stands, Croatia did look subdued.

England’s dream start, with Kieran Trippier scoring from a free-kick in the fifth minute, saw them carry the momentum for the rest of the half.

Both Harry Maguire and Harry Kane found themselves at the end of scoring opportunities but a second goal didn’t come.

Then in the second half,

Ivan Perisic sprang into life. With Croatia starting to grow in the game, the Inter Milan midfielder found the equaliser in the 68th minute when he lifted his leg over marker Kyle Walker to poke in a Sime Vrsaljko cross.