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.
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.
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.
An English fan, who watched the match in Moscow, said he was hoping that the match would go to penalties.
In extra time especially we were hoping that penalties may prove to be the case because our players seemed quite lethargic and tired. But in the end they got the goal with (Mario) Mandzukic who is a proven goalscorer. Harry Kane tonight maybe could have done a bit more but in the end we have done very well to reach the semi-final and I think we shouldn’t be overlooked for that.English Fan
(With inputs from PTI)
(For complete FIFA World Cup 2018 coverage, click here to visit our special WC page.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)