Full Time: Croatia 1 (Amdrej Khremanic): Russia 1 (Denis Cherysev)
Extra Time: Croatia 1 (Domagoj Vida): Russia 1 (Fernandez)
Tie Breaker: Croatia 4- Russia 3
The fairy tale of host Russia in World Cup 2018 finally came to an end. Cheering crowd at Fisht Stadium Sochi and Russians around the world had their heart broken as their red shirted boys bowed out of the eventful world cup fighting to their last drop of energy. They lost 4-3 in the energy sapping tie breaker to Crotia after the teams finished 1-1 in normal time and 2-2 after extra 30 minutes.
Croatia broke the hearts of the aspiring host Russia rendering Russians watching the remainder of the event as spectator. Croatia accounted for Argentina’s early demise from this eventful world cup will now meet England in Moscow to decide which team meets the winner of France and Belgium in the final.
It was another milestone for the small Croatia which in 1998 in its first ever world rocked and rolled knocking out Favorite Germany 3-0 in the quarter final. This is their second graduation to that level. They now have many admirers who would love to see them playing in the final.
The last quarter final clash of World Cup 2018 at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi witnessed host Russia and Croatia reaching this stage through penalty shootout victories in the last 16 -- Russia stunned 2010 winners Spain before Croatia edged out Denmark.
Croatia lost 3-1 to Brazil in Sao Paulo in the opening game of the 2014 World Cup. In 1998, they reached the semi-finals before losing 2-1 to France in Paris.
But while they could not claim to be the favorites on either of those occasions, this time Zlatko Dalic’s side was strongly fancied against Russia. Russia is the lowest ranked team of the tournament .Yet their intelligent coach adjusting strategy games after games kept his team going. Before the tournament none gave Russians life line till the Quarter final.
The Match:
Russia is the lowest ranked team of the tournament .Yet their intelligent coach adjusting strategy games after games kept his team going. Before the tournament none gave Russians life line till the Quarter final.
Croatians absolutely dominated the possession and unlocked the dogged Russian defence on many occasions. But failed to deliver the final touch more than once. Rather Russians struck the first blood and Croatians equalised. Both the goals were in the first half. The match rolled to extra time. The second match in succession of both teams rolled into extra time.
Russia went ahead at 31st minute through a spectacular long distance goal. Dzjuba initiated the move and squared the ball to Cherysev. He took a step around Vida and unleashed a thunderous strike which fooling Shuvacic entered the net. One of the outrageous goals of the world cup. Russians went 1-0 up to the joy and love of the home crowd.
Russia’s lead was neutralised rather through a soft goal a smart glancing header of Khremanic.finding the far corner of Russian net 39th minutes of the match. Mandzukic initiated the move and floated a high ball on the top of Russian box which found his mate heading home (1-1).
Croatia certainly had the better of that second half, especially in the final minutes, but it couldn’t put together the needed finish.
Teams engaged in 30 more minutes extra time. Two teams looked quite tired. Russia looked dead-set on bunkering until penalties arrive.
Extra Time:
Croatia started the extra time with renewed zeal. From incessant forays they shot into lead again through Vida in the 100th minute of the match making it 2-1. They were looking good for further extending the lead .But Russians managed to absorb the shock. Time started ticking and hearts of the Russians started throbbing. Russians in desperate attempts to restore parity finally equalized through Fernandez with 5 minutes from time 2-2.
The match went to Tie breaker penalty shoot out. In the breath taking tie breaker both the goal keepers saved one each. But Russia missed one more goal. The final score was 4-3. Russians failed and Croatia went ahead to the semi final.
BDST: 0936 HRS, JUL 8, 2018
SI
