Ivan Rakitic scored the winning penalty as Croatia beat
Russia 4-3 in a shoot-out after a dramatic 2-2 draw on Saturday to end
the World Cup hopes of the host nation and advance to a semi-final
against England.
Brazilian-born Mario Fernandes had kept Russia’s dream alive when he
headed home in the 115th minute to level the scores and force penalties,
but he and Fedor Smolov both failed to convert their spot-kicks in
Sochi.
Croatia, for whom Andrej Kramaric and Domagoj Vida had earlier found
the net, advance to their first World Cup semi-final since 1998. They
will face England, who beat Sweden 2-0 earlier, at the Luzhniki Stadium
Moscow on Wednesday.
In contrast for Russia, who had taken the lead through another Denis
Cheryshev wonder goal in the first half, there is only heartbreak as
they finally go out.
They can however be proud of their
efforts, with a run to the last eight exceeding expectations for a side
written off as no-hopers before the tournament.
And it remains to be seen how quickly Croatia — whose President
Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic was watching from the stands in her country’s
colours — can recover from this draining night, having also been taken
to extra time and penalties by Denmark in the last round.
The arrival of the host nation for the final World Cup match at the
Fisht Stadium meant by far the most vibrant atmosphere yet at this Black
Sea beach resort.
The Russians, riding a wave of euphoria after unexpectedly knocking
out Spain in the previous round, were determined to carry on to a first
World Cup semi-final since the break-up of the Soviet Union.
But Croatia came into this game as the favourites. They may have a
population of little over four million, but amongst that number are two
of the finest midfielders in the world in Rakitic and Luka Modric.
They dominated the match, but Russia contributed to another fantastic occasion in what has been an outstanding World Cup.
– Cheryshev bolt from the blue –
The hosts went ahead thanks to a bolt from the blue just after the half-hour mark.
Cheryshev, who scored three times in the group-stage wins over Saudi
Arabia and Egypt, was back in the line-up here after beginning on the
bench against Spain last weekend.
He cut in from the left, exchanged passes with Artem Dzyuba and
skipped away from a Modric challenge before firing home a superb shot
from 25 yards on his left foot.
Croatia were stunned. But the Russian lead had lasted only eight
minutes before they drew level, Mario Mandzukic cutting the ball back
for Kramaric to head home.
Ivan Perisic hit the post for Croatia in a second half they
controlled, yet they had to limp on into extra-time, with goalkeeper
Danijel Subasic providing a scare as he hurt a hamstring late on.
However, Croatia took the lead for the first time in the 101st
minute, defender Vida getting his head to a corner to send the ball low
into the net, helped by substitute Vedran Corluka getting out of the
way.
Vida removed his shirt as he ran away in celebration, possibly thinking Croatia were heading through.
However, Russia found the resources to draw level again, substitute
Alan Dzagoev holding up a free-kick for Fernandes to head home in the
115th minute.
His shoot-out miss proved pivotal, however, especially after Smolov’s weak attempt at a chipped penalty was saved by Subasic.
For Croatia, Mateo Kovacic had his penalty saved, but Marcelo
Brozovic, Modric and Vida all netted theirs before Rakitic stroked in
the winner.
AFP.
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