[World Cup 2018]: The battle to the last. Russia left, but it was cool.
Well, it was the turn of the four European countries to argue among themselves who is more worthy of the semifinals. For all these teams, the semi-final was a pipe dream, for example, England, Croatia and Sweden did not get to this stage for quite some time, and Russia never went so far. The battle promised to be serious.
In the first match of England was to overcome another curse: too often the national teams of this country left the tournament at the quarterfinals. And Sweden was a dangerous rival for the British, who sometimes find it very difficult to find approaches to the gates of defending teams. However, in this match, contrary to expectations, the British quickly found a way to reach the gate. I did not feel confident in the actions of the Swedish defense and on the 30th minute after the angular execution of Ashley Young, Harry Maguire sent the ball into the goal. Then the British found another way to crack the defense, it's throwing the ball behind the backs of the defenders, however, Rahim Sterling failed to realize an exit actually one-on-one with the goalkeeper. At the beginning of the second half, Markus Berg could even the score, but Jordan Pickford rescued the team. In general at this tournament goalkeeper Everton having demonstrated his talent, for sure the "toffee" will receive multi-million offers on him. At the 59th minute, Delle Alli made the score 2-0 and again it was a header. Three minutes later, Victor Claesson had a great chance to score, but Piсkford was in great shape. After another ten minutes, the same Claesson famously struck under the crossbar, but again, Jordan Pickford saved the gate. The match in the end and ended with a score of 2-0, England after 28 years, goes to the semi-finals of the World Cup.
In the second match, teams that passed into the quarterfinals after a penalty shootout could not figure out which one was the best in 90 minutes. The Russian national team and the Croatian national team staged a real drama. From the Russian national team, no one expected anything at this tournament, many fans did not believe in it, but all of them pleasantly surprised being one of the eight best teams in the world. Presenting a real holiday to her fans sometimes she did not show an outstanding football, but he brought the result and it was forgiven her. In the Croatian national team is now one of the best generations of players, they just had to show off at this tournament, but a rather dull match with Denmark questioned the success of this team in the tournament. Initially, the match between these teams was held in a two-edged fight, but after a miracle-goal played by Denis Cheryshev, who hit the corner of the goal of Daniel Subasic with a distant blow, the game took on a one-sided nature. Players of the Russian national team did not risk and tried to catch the opponent on the counterattack, the Croats tried to crack the defense of the Russians. And on the 39th minute they managed to make it Mario Mandžukić gave the transfer to Andrei Kramarić and he equalized the score in the match. The second half and did remind Russia of Spain's game, Cherchesov made similar to the substitution match, clearly intending to translate the game into extrasimes.
But in the end of the match, the fatigue began to make itself felt, the players were restraining their legs, the muscles could not withstand such loads, and there were no more replacements. In the first half of the extra time, Zlatko Dalić had three injured players: Daniel Subasic pulled his leg ligaments, Shime Vrsalko was injured, Mario Mandžukić also moved limp along the floor. At the 101st minute Domagoj Vida still managed to break through the defense of the opponent and brought Croatia forward, after that the Russian team went ahead. At the 112th minute Daler Kuzyaev had an excellent opportunity to lead the Russians forward, but the injured Subasic caught the ball. Two minutes later, Russia earns the right to break a free-kick pretty close to the gate, released in extra time Alan Dzagoev makes a pass into the penalty area, where Mario Fernandes heads the ball to the goal by comparing the score. At the 119th minute Roman Zobnin could finish everything, but Subasic was on top. In the penalty shootout, Croatia was luckier, and Russia is leaving this tournament. The Russian team made the impossible at this tournament, it became the pride of their fans, having played 240-plus minutes in two play-off games, they leave the tournament with their head held high.
So, it did not happen in the semi-final of the confrontation between England and Russia, but there is a chance that England will return the debt to the Croatians for Euro 2008. Well, the second super match Belgium-France, Thierry Henry against the national team of his country. This incredible championship continues, the outcome is close.
I did predictions for both matches and for all of predictions are win
That's good
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