By: Adamo Marinelli
July 7th, 2018
This afternoon, the 2018 World Cup hosts, Russia, faced stunning defeat against an ecstatic Croatian side
who will be going to the semifinals at the World Cup for the first time since their 2-1 loss to the eventual
champions France in 1998, the only other time they ever made it to the semifinals in a World Cup, where
they will play England on July 11th, 2018.
who will be going to the semifinals at the World Cup for the first time since their 2-1 loss to the eventual
champions France in 1998, the only other time they ever made it to the semifinals in a World Cup, where
they will play England on July 11th, 2018.
Both of Croatia’s elimination matches: in the round of 16 to Denmark and the quarterfinals against Russia
were won on penalty kicks. They become the first team since Argentina in 1990 to win two elimination matches
on penalty kicks and the first ever team to win two consecutive elimination matches.
were won on penalty kicks. They become the first team since Argentina in 1990 to win two elimination matches
on penalty kicks and the first ever team to win two consecutive elimination matches.
The Croatian keeper Danijel Subasic was spectacular in both matches making four saves excluding a Russian
penalty that missed the net in the third round of the shootout and Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic who plays
midfield for Barcelona when not representing his country scored the shootout winner in both games, both
exhilarating shots.
penalty that missed the net in the third round of the shootout and Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic who plays
midfield for Barcelona when not representing his country scored the shootout winner in both games, both
exhilarating shots.
The match was tied 2-2 through 120 minutes and then Croatia won 4-3 on penalties.
The first half of the match was evenly matched with each side trading a goal. In the 31st minute, a Russian
counter-attack led by Cheryshev and Dzyuba who after completing a give and go to each other, Cheryshev
found himself in open space with the ball at the top of the box and fired a missile to the top left corner of the
net. The hosts led 1-0.
counter-attack led by Cheryshev and Dzyuba who after completing a give and go to each other, Cheryshev
found himself in open space with the ball at the top of the box and fired a missile to the top left corner of the
net. The hosts led 1-0.
The Croatians made sure the hosts’ celebrations were short-lived.
In the 39th minute, eight minutes after Russia got the lead, Mandzukic breaks clear along the left side of
the Russia box and his cross into the middle is met by a clinical Kramaric header that soared past Russian
keeper Akinfeev for the equaliser. A complete momentum change in favour of Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic’s
side.
the Russia box and his cross into the middle is met by a clinical Kramaric header that soared past Russian
keeper Akinfeev for the equaliser. A complete momentum change in favour of Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic’s
side.
The first half ended in a 1-1 tie. At the half, Croatia dominated possession time 65% to 35% and had seven
shot attempt compared to Russia’s six. Croatia had many more passes and had an 81% pass accuracy compared
to 69% by Russia. Other than possession, which the Croatians dominated with their string midfield, the match
was even.
shot attempt compared to Russia’s six. Croatia had many more passes and had an 81% pass accuracy compared
to 69% by Russia. Other than possession, which the Croatians dominated with their string midfield, the match
was even.
In the second half, chances were very limited except for an Ivan Perisic strike in the 60th minute which
grazed off the inside of the left post and skimmed across the goal line only eventually to be cleared out by a
Russian defender. Although, Croatia was able to control the game better both on defence and offence in the
second half than the first half.
grazed off the inside of the left post and skimmed across the goal line only eventually to be cleared out by a
Russian defender. Although, Croatia was able to control the game better both on defence and offence in the
second half than the first half.
The game stayed tied 1-1 through 90 minutes and the game progresses to extra time. In the 101st minute,
a Croatian corner coming in from the right side was headed by Domagoj Vida into the net past a stunned
Russian keeper who didn’t move because he thought the ball was going to miss the net. Not only is this the
first ever goal in the extra time of the 2018 World Cup, but it was also Croatia’s first ever goal in extra time
at a World Cup. Both of Croatia’s goals came from headers. All Croatians thought they were moving on to
the semifinals.
a Croatian corner coming in from the right side was headed by Domagoj Vida into the net past a stunned
Russian keeper who didn’t move because he thought the ball was going to miss the net. Not only is this the
first ever goal in the extra time of the 2018 World Cup, but it was also Croatia’s first ever goal in extra time
at a World Cup. Both of Croatia’s goals came from headers. All Croatians thought they were moving on to
the semifinals.
Apparently, the Russians disagreed and in the 115th minute, Dzagoev curls in a brilliant free-kick from
the right edge of the area and the unguarded Fernandes deftly heads the ball into the bottom corner. The score
is tied, 2-2!
the right edge of the area and the unguarded Fernandes deftly heads the ball into the bottom corner. The score
is tied, 2-2!
And so, the match went to penalties. This was Croatia and Russia’s 2nd consecutive game that will be
decided by penalties both coming off wins in the round of 16 against Denmark and Spain respectively.
decided by penalties both coming off wins in the round of 16 against Denmark and Spain respectively.
The first Russian penalty was saved by the glove of Croatian keeper Danijel Subasic. Croatia capitalized
on their first shot. They took the 1-0 lead. Then Russia scored their second shot and Croatia missed. 1-1 so
far through two rounds. Russia’s third penalty kick taken by Fernandez missed the net by a lot to the left side.
Croatia scored their 3rd penalty from Luka Modric and they had the 2-1 advantage. In the fourth round, both
teams exchanged goals and Croatia led 3-2. In the fifth round, Russia tied the shootout at 3-3 but Croatia had a
chance to win. Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic who is also a midfielder for Barcelona made no mistake and
sent Russia home and Croatia to the semifinals to play England on July 11th.
on their first shot. They took the 1-0 lead. Then Russia scored their second shot and Croatia missed. 1-1 so
far through two rounds. Russia’s third penalty kick taken by Fernandez missed the net by a lot to the left side.
Croatia scored their 3rd penalty from Luka Modric and they had the 2-1 advantage. In the fourth round, both
teams exchanged goals and Croatia led 3-2. In the fifth round, Russia tied the shootout at 3-3 but Croatia had a
chance to win. Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic who is also a midfielder for Barcelona made no mistake and
sent Russia home and Croatia to the semifinals to play England on July 11th.
Croatian goalkeeper, Danijel Subasic was incredible for the second consecutive game making plenty of
wonderful and clutch saves, especially in the penalty shootout to give Croatia the advantage. His four saves
in two penalty shootouts, three against Denmark and one against Russia, excluding a missed net, surely should
put him in contention of the Golden Glove award, given to the best goalkeeper in the World Cup voted on by
FIFA. Although the Man of the Match was Croatia’s Luka Modric. He created plenty of offensive opportunities
in the midfield, won battles for the ball and played a great defensive game. He even had a shot which went
over the net and assisted on the Vida goal. He was the one who took the corner.
wonderful and clutch saves, especially in the penalty shootout to give Croatia the advantage. His four saves
in two penalty shootouts, three against Denmark and one against Russia, excluding a missed net, surely should
put him in contention of the Golden Glove award, given to the best goalkeeper in the World Cup voted on by
FIFA. Although the Man of the Match was Croatia’s Luka Modric. He created plenty of offensive opportunities
in the midfield, won battles for the ball and played a great defensive game. He even had a shot which went
over the net and assisted on the Vida goal. He was the one who took the corner.
Statistically speaking, at the end of the match, Croatia dominated ball possession time, 64% to 36% and
their excellent midfield play as a result of the possession advantage allowed for Croatia to have more chances.
Croatia had 17 shot attempts and Russia had 13. However, Russia despite the loss, had more shots on target
with seven compared to Croatia’s three. Subasic was standing on his head in this game, making five saves
excluding shootout. Croatia had eight corners to Russia’s six and 26 free kicks to Russia’s 18 which led to
Croatia’s many offensive opportunities. Russia played a more violent and physical game committing 25 fouls
to Croatia’s 18 but despite this Russia was only charged one yellow card to Croatia’s four. This game was pretty
much dominated by the Croatians, especially possession time and shot attempts thanks to their strong midfield
who is so good at generating shot attempts and their great defense which can cause turnovers, give Croatia more
possession time and help them generate more offensive chances thanks to their strong transition game from
defense to offence. But the Russians did a good with the chances and shots they got and forcing penalties from
a late equalizer.
their excellent midfield play as a result of the possession advantage allowed for Croatia to have more chances.
Croatia had 17 shot attempts and Russia had 13. However, Russia despite the loss, had more shots on target
with seven compared to Croatia’s three. Subasic was standing on his head in this game, making five saves
excluding shootout. Croatia had eight corners to Russia’s six and 26 free kicks to Russia’s 18 which led to
Croatia’s many offensive opportunities. Russia played a more violent and physical game committing 25 fouls
to Croatia’s 18 but despite this Russia was only charged one yellow card to Croatia’s four. This game was pretty
much dominated by the Croatians, especially possession time and shot attempts thanks to their strong midfield
who is so good at generating shot attempts and their great defense which can cause turnovers, give Croatia more
possession time and help them generate more offensive chances thanks to their strong transition game from
defense to offence. But the Russians did a good with the chances and shots they got and forcing penalties from
a late equalizer.
Both teams played a stunning match, putting all their effort and passion into the game, but it will be Croatia
moving on to the semifinals and Russia going home. Croatia is now really looking like a favourite to win the
World Cup, more than ever before, particularly when they finished their group 3-0-0; but they’ll have to beat
England in the semis and then the winner of France vs Belgium in the finals to win the World Cup, to prove
their greatness and to cement their amazing football legacy in stone.
moving on to the semifinals and Russia going home. Croatia is now really looking like a favourite to win the
World Cup, more than ever before, particularly when they finished their group 3-0-0; but they’ll have to beat
England in the semis and then the winner of France vs Belgium in the finals to win the World Cup, to prove
their greatness and to cement their amazing football legacy in stone.
Can they do it? I think so. And so do many other soccer experts and all the Croatian fans.
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