Okay...This Shouldn't Be Surprising: Another "Oh So Near" For England.

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The much anticipated match is here and knowing England's inconsistency, i still rooted for them to nick this and many actually went for Croatia due to their ever impressive midfield, bossed by Rakitic and Luka Modric.

The game kicked off with a free kick to England on the edge of the box in the 4th minute when Luka Modric tripped Dele Alli. The referee duly pointed for a free kick which Kieran Trippier expertly dispacthed into the back of the net in the 5th minute, to mark his first international goal for England. That free kick was also the first direct goal of the knock out stage.

In the 14th minute England had another chance from a corner, which fell to MaGuire but he couldn't direct his header well. England wouldn't give Croatia a breathing space and they continued hitting Croatia on the break. Another wonderful ball in came for Kane in an offside position and even at that, he still played it wide, in the 22nd minute.

Croatia struggled to keep possession and play those vital passes.

In the 30th minute, Harry Kane wasted another wonderful chance when played through and he found himself one on one with the goalkeeper and he still can't get past him. His second effort was flagged for offside after hitting the crossbar. This is proving not to be Harry Kane's night, at the moment his team would need him to step up.

Croatia would then have their own chance in the 31st minute but Pickford duly saved and they could have levelled matters in the 33rd minute only to be saved brilliantly by Young. England are particularly becoming wasteful in front of goal and Lingard was played in at the edge of the box, only to play his placed ball wide. That was a great chanced missed there to put them 2-0 up. That was wasteful, and the look on his face says it all.

England found themselves in a bit of a hole in the 45th minute when a ball perfectly fell to Rakitic but he wasted too much time on it and lost it. It would have been a perfect equalizer for Croatia. Croatia bombarded England in the closing stages but England held on.

The first half ended and it was evenly matched. The second half started and England have a huge task ahead of them as they have never won a semi final match abroad. This will prove to be a real test of their mettle.

Both teams had chances but Croatia look more threatening and they had another real chance in the 65th minute which Rakitic struck so well and it was blocked by Kyle Walker. It was a thumbing shot that left Kyle Walker reeling on the floor.

England were contented sitting down and absorbing Croatia's attack and with consistency, they knocked in the 68th minute when an inch perfect cross fell to Ivan Perisic and he directed his header perfectly well into the back of the net. 1-1 the score line.

Croatia would have been ahead again in the 72nd minute when a loose ball fell to him, he danced his way into the box and struck the post and the rebound was perfectly saved by Pickford.

Croatia dominated this second half exchange and Pickford came to the rescue of England when he saved from Mandzukic in the 82nd minute and seconds later, he fumbled a punch which fell to Perisic but he skied it. Croatia showed more fight, more determination and England were just contented to see this game out. They couldn't make decent passes and they relied too heavily on high and long balls, which Croatia was more than happy to match.

The match ended 1-1 and now to Extra Time.

Stones almost gave England the lead in the 98th minute of Extra Time from a corner, only to be denied by an equally good header to clear off the line. That was a lifeline saved from Croatia. England would have gone ahead. On the other end, Croatia would have gone ahead in the 107th minute of Extra Time when he was picked out with an inviting cross from Ivan Perisic, but Pickford came through for England and gave them a breather.

How did Mandzukic breach that defense? How did he do that? Ivan Perisic gave a back nod and Mandzukic came out from the defense line of England and slotted home. Wow. What a way to score! What a time to score; 109th minute. Croatia are ahead; 2-1.

Croatia to the final of World Cup. They meet with France on Sunday. What a showdown it would be. Okay, even though i know France might edge it, i am going with Croatia to lift it. I admire their drive, determination, their fight and ability to grind out result. Their resilience got me and i love that!.

Third place would be between England and Belgium. Belgium would massacre this average rated England...i stick by that. Hahaha.

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