Croatia edges England in extra time to move to final

MOSCOW – Croatia, a 27-year-old country of 4.3 million citizens and 23 superb soccer players, will vie for the sport’s most treasured trophy, the World Cup.

With a 2-1 extra-time victory over England on Wednesday, the Croatians will attempt to become the smallest nation since Uruguay in 1950 to win the championship. France awaits Sunday at the very same venue, Luzhniki Stadium.

In reaching the final for the first time, Croatia extended England’s disappointment in major tournaments to 52 years.

The Three Lions had gone ahead in the early moments, but Croatia drew even midway through the second half. And in the 19th of 30 additional minutes, Mario Mandzukic smashed an angled, six-yard shot past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Ivan Perisic, who had scored the equalizer in the 68th minute, made it possible by winning a header at the top corner of the penalty area.

Tribune News Service Croatia’s Mario Mandzukic celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal in extra time of Croatia’s 2-1 victory over England in the World Cup semifinals on Wednesday at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. Croatia will take on France on Sunday in its first final appearance, while England will face Belgium for third place on Saturday.