Picture Courtesy : Sport24
In a gripping semi- final Croatia beat England 2-1 to storm into the FIFA World Russia 2018 final Against France. It is the first time in history Croatia have reached the final of the football’s premier event.
Kieran tripper with a spectacular free- kick put England ahead. But the lead did not last long enough. In the 68th minute Croatia levelled the score- line with Ivan Perisic scoring a stunner to shock England fans.
The match was tantalisingly poised to decided in the penalty shoo- out when in the 109th minute at the run of play Croatia took the lead with a brilliant finish by Mario Mandzukic . It dashed England and broke the heart of their fans. England tried valiantly to equalise but the gritty Croats hung on to win the biggest match of their lives.
England were left devastated after the end of a fine campaign . Gareth Southgate and Harry Kane had done enough to reach the semis when nobody gave the young England team the chance to go this far. It was case of so near yet so far. But England had won the hearts with their impressive showing.
