He is Ivan the terrible
RAKITIC HOLDS HIS NERVE FROM THE SPOT TO EARN ENGLAND CLASH
GARETH SOUTHGATE’S glory-chasers face a Moscow date with destiny against Croatia after Zlatko Dalic’s men won a dramatic penalty shootout in Sochi.
Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic smashed home the winning spot-kick to break 144 million Russian hearts on a tense, nervous night at Fisht Stadium.
Defender Domagoj Vida’s extra-time header appeared to have won the game 10 minutes into extra time.
The blond pony-tailed centre-half celebrated and so did the Croatian fans who were easily out numbered by the hosts.
But Russia refused to lay down and die, and set up a tense penalty shootout when Mario Fernandes rose to meet a free-kick and level with a perfectly placed header.
Fedor Smolov and Fernandes missed early on for Russia and Mateo Kovacic had one saved for Croatia as nerves showed. But Rakitic kept cool and calm before his team-mates jumped on him in joyous celebration.
The good news for England is that their last-four opponents will be both physically and mentally drained going into Wednesday night’s clash.
Once again, as they were against Denmark, Croatia were pushed all the way for 120 minutes – this time by a Russian side which entered the competition as the World Cup’s lowest ranked team.
There was an electrifying atmosphere inside the stadium and the excitement and energy certainly rubbed off on their heroes on the pitch as Russia started the stronger.
Russia keeper Igor Akinfeev parried an Ante Rebic drive when Croatia finally managed to impose themselves on the clash and put together a swift attacking move down the right.
Both these sides reached the last eight with dramatic penalty shootouts – Croatia overcoming Denmark and then Russia shocking Spain.
The Russians were anxious to give their opponents some physical reminders of their desire to keep the dream alive with several early crunching tackles. Brazilian referee Sandro Ricci awarded the Croats six free-kicks inside the opening 20 minutes.
Yet it was the the men in black who had the first two players booked with Ricci taking the names of Dejan Lovren and Ivan Strinic for crude challenges.
But there was nothing crude about the blistering 32nd-minute strike which had the Russian fans in raptures and left the Croats reeling.
The more than useful and dangerous Artem Dzyuba fed Denis Cheryshev 30 yards out from goal. There seemed little danger but the winger who plays for Villarreal in Spain surged forward and let fly with a left foot screamer which left keeper Danijel Subasic rooted to his line and flew into the top corner.
It was one of the goals of a tournament which has witnessed so many incredible a n d outstanding moments.
But Russia’s lead lasted barely eight minutes – and they were caught sleeping down the left wing.
Mario Mandzukic found space on the edge of the box and with the Russians slow in closing him down, his cross was met by a perfect header from Andrej Kramaric.
Akinfeev hardly moved as the ball crashed against the back of the net and the Russian supporters fell silent.
Both sides pressed forward in the second half to try and break the deadlock.
Ivan Perisic wasted a glorious chance to put Croatia ahead when his angled drive from eight years struck the inside of a post and was cleared.
The giant Dzyuba out-jumped Liverpool’s Lovren to direct a header from a corner straight at keeper Subasic.
The Croatian keeper looked to have pulled a hamstring but was able to continue after treatment as the game drifted into extra-time.
Croatia grabbed the lead in the 111th minute when a Domagoj Vida’s downward header bounced past team-mate Corluka and into the right corner of the net.
Yet, Russia came fighting back and Fernandes rose superbly to equalise with his header and force the lottery of a penalty shootout.