Croatia sink England to book France showdown in World Cup final

Croatia's forward Mario Mandzukic (centre-left) and Croatia's midfielder Ivan Rakitic (centre second right) speak to AFP photographer Yuri Cortez (centre) after falling on him with teammates while celebrating their second goal during their Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final match against England at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018. PHOTO | JEWEL SAMAD | AFP

What you need to know:

  • England made an electric start with Kieran Trippier's early goal and for a large period of the game looked good value to book their passage to the final for the first time since 1966, but Croatia somehow battled through their apparent jadedness and tamed the Three Lions in extra-time, Mandzukic landing the decisive blow.
  • Gareth Southgate consistently downplayed the euphoria in his team in the build-up, and for a while England gave every indication they were going to take charge of their own destiny, as Trippier found the net with a delightful free-kick in the fifth minute.

MOSCOW

Mario Mandzukic scored the winning goal deep in extra time as Croatia beat England 2-1 in an utterly gripping World Cup semi-final in Moscow on Wednesday to set up a final date with France.

The Juventus forward netted in the 109th minute to complete a remarkable comeback from a shattered Croatian team and take the small nation of little more than four million people into the World Cup final for the first time in their short history.

Croatia's forward Mario Mandzukic (second left) shoots and scores his team's second goal during their Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final match against England at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018. PHOTO | JEWEL SAMAD | AFP

Croatia's Mario Mandzukic (left) celebrates his goal with Ivan Perisic during their Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final match against England at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018. PHOTO | GETTY IMAGES |

Croatia's forward Mario Mandzukic (centre-left) and Croatia's midfielder Ivan Rakitic (centre second right) speak to AFP photographer Yuri Cortez (centre) after falling on him with teammates while celebrating their second goal during their Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final match against England at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018. PHOTO | JEWEL SAMAD | AFP

Kieran Trippier's magnificent early free-kick had seemingly set England on course to reach their first final since they lifted the trophy on home soil back in 1966.

Croatia's goalkeeper Danijel Subasic (back) concedes from a free-kick during their Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final match against England at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018. PHOTO | FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT |

England's defender Kieran Trippier (left) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during their Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final match against Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018.

Photo credit: File | AFP

England's defender Kieran Trippier celebrates after scoring a goal during their Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final match against Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018. PHOTO | KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV | AFP

England's players celebrate the opening goal during their Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final match against Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018. PHOTO | ALEXANDER NEMENOV | AFP

But it wasn't to be, as Croatia came roaring back in the second half and equalised through Ivan Perisic before somehow finding the energy to win despite being taken to extra time for the third time in 10 days.

Croatia's midfielder Ivan Perisic wheels away in celebration after scoring the equaliser during their Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final match against England at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018. PHOTO | GETTY IMAGES

Croatia's forward Ivan Perisic (hidden) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during their Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final match against England at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018. PHOTO | MLADEN ANTONOV | AFP

The biggest winners of the night could well be France, who have had an extra day's rest for Sunday's final after edging out Belgium 1-0 on Tuesday.

That will not matter too much right now for Croatia, who are the smallest nation to make it to the final since Uruguay back in 1950.

England had been the ones hoping to make history, in what was their first appearance in the semi-finals in 28 years.

Then they were beaten on penalties by West Germany. Having ended their famous penalty curse by beating Colombia in a shootout in the last 16, they might have fancied repeating here.

But Croatia, having won on penalties against Denmark and Russia in the last two rounds, saw the game out, dousing the World Cup dream of Gareth Southgate's side that had gone from the improbable to the possible over the last month in Russia.

Southgate stuck with the same starting line-up as that which eased past Sweden in the quarter-finals, while Inter Milan's Marcelo Brozovic replaced Andrej Kramaric in the Croatian line-up.

ENGLAND'S DREAM STAR

They were looking to the inspirational Luke Modric to control the game, but instead it was he who gave away the early free-kick from which Trippier put England ahead.

Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir (right) gestures as Croatia's midfielder Luka Modric (centre) and Croatia's defender Dejan Lovren react during their Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final match against England at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018. PHOTO | MLADEN ANTONOV | AFP

England's players celebrate the opening goal during their Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final match against Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018. PHOTO | ALEXANDER NEMENOV | AFP

It was a fantastic curling effort from 25 yards from the Tottenham Hotspur full-back, and England's first goal direct from a free-kick at the World Cup since David Beckham against Ecuador in 2006.

England could not have imagined a better start.

Croatia were stunned, and Ivan Rakitic, usually so accomplished, was especially off his game.

Croatia's midfielder Ivan Rakitic controls the ball during their Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final match against England at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018. PHOTO | MLADEN ANTONOV | AFP

Zlatko Dalic's side did gradually grow into the contest, but they could still be relieved to go in at half-time only one goal down, especially as Harry Kane was denied by a combination of goalkeeper Danijel Subasic and the woodwork on the half-hour mark.

Croatia hung on and it was to their immense credit that they turned the tide after the break in what developed into an epic encounter.

Shooting towards the end of the Luzhniki Stadium where most of their fans were gathered, they equalised in the 68th minute, as Sime Vrsaljko crossed from the right and Perisic stole in front of the stooping Kyle Walker to score with his left foot.

Having looked so comfortable earlier, England's young side were rattled, and they were lucky not to go behind soon after as Perisic sent a low shot across Jordan Pickford and off the far post.

Unable to get the second goal while they were on top, Croatia were forced into extra time again.

Vrsaljko cleared a John Stones header away from in front of the line, but England had Pickford to thank for a brilliant save as Mandzukic connected with a devilish Perisic cross.

England's defender Harry Maguire (left) vies for the ball with Croatia's forward Ante Rebic during their Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final match at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018. PHOTO | JEWEL SAMAD | AFP

England's forward Harry Kane (right) challenges Croatia's defender Dejan Lovren during their Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final match at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018. PHOTO | YURI CORTEZ | AFP

It was a wonder the Juventus forward did not break a limb as Pickford crunched into him.

He managed to carry on after treatment, and he was on hand to sweep the ball low past Pickford after Perisic's header back into the area caught the England defence on the hop to finally decide a brilliant contest.

England's coach Gareth Southgate (left) speaks to fourth official Bjorn Kuipers during their Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final match against Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018. PHOTO | FRANCK FIFE | AFP

Croatia's midfielder Luka Modric (right) controls the ball in front of England's midfielder Jordan Henderson (centre) and England's midfielder Dele Alli during their Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final match at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018. PHOTO | MLADEN ANTONOV | AFP

England supporters in Flat Iron Square in London react as they watch their 2018 World Cup semi-final against Croatia in Moscow on July 11, 2018. PHOTO | DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS |