Croatia has been just as hot as Belgium and England in this tournament. They pretty much had their way with the competition in Group D, including Argentina. They had to squeak by Denmark on penalties in the round of sixteen, but they still have the speed and teamwork to go far. Russia has been riding the wave of hometown support and a weak Group A. They disposed of Spain in the second round. The winner knew they would get England next.
Denis Cheryshev continued his dream World Cup with a goal at 31'. He put up a wicked, bending shot from outside the box that ended up in the top left corner. Maybe this is the player Real Madrid thought they were getting way back when. The lead lasted nine minutes. At 39, Andrej Kramarić got his head on a cross from Mario Mandžukić and buried it in the net. At 60', Ivan Perišić missed what should have been a sure goal. There was a mostly empty goal, but his shot hit the inside of the left post and rolled across goal to safety. The game was tied at the end of regulation, so we went to extra time. Domagoj Vida scored on a header at 101'. The ball came to him on a corner, and he put it between two defenders and a surprised goalkeeper. Russia tied the game at 115'. Alan Dzagoev with a free-kick right outside the box onto the head of Mário Fernandes who tucked it home. We go to penalties.
Croatia win 4-3 on penalties.
Russia - Fyodor Smolov (saved), Alan Dzagoev (made), Mário Fernandes (missed), Sergei Ignashevich (made), Daler Kuzyayev (made)
Croatia - Marcelo Brozović (made), Mateo Kovačić (saved), Luka Modrić (made), Domagoj Vida (made), Ivan Rakitić (made)
Russia gave Croatia all they could handle. Russia goes (stays) home, but they have nothing to be ashamed of. They played way better than they should have. Croatia moves on and gets England in the semi-final. Croatia v England and France vs England are fantastic semi-finals. I honestly have no idea who is going to win. Wow! Best World Cup ever???