"This match is very important for both sides, and if Croatia win, they will make history and reach the World Cup final for the first time," said the Russian state television commentator.

Croatia shocked the world by reaching the semi-finals of their first World Cup appearance in 1998, but since then, they have never been so close to the Hercules Cup.

This time, after a 20-year hiatus, they are back in the semi-finals of the World Cup, and they are looking to surpass their predecessors and go further.

Historically, the two teams have met 7 times before, with England holding the upper hand with 4 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats.

This is the first time the two teams have met in the main tournament of the World Cup, although England and Croatia have met several times in the European Championships.

The most memorable was a European qualifier in November 2007, when England lost 3-2 at home to Croatia and missed Euro 2008.

However, England got their revenge in the 2010 World Qualifiers, beating Croatia 5-1 at home, who also missed out on the World Cup in South Africa. ”

The English national television commentator began to introduce the starting XI for both sides: "Let's start with the formation and the starting XI for both sides.

Croatia's formation is 4141, goalkeeper: No. 23 Subaic; Four defenders: No. 2 Vrsalik, No. 6 Lovren, 21 Vida, No. 3 Strinic, midfielders: No. 11 Brozovic; Four midfielders: No. 18 Rebic, No. 10 Modric; No. 7 Rakitic, No. 4 Pesilić; The only striker: No. 17 Mandzukic, No. 10 Modric is the captain on the field.

England's formation is still a pyramid formation 4321, goalkeeper: No. 1 Pickford; Four defenders: No. 6 Maguire, No. 15 Cahill, No. 5 Stones, No. 2 Kyle Walker; Three midfielders: No. 8 Henderson, No. 20 Allison, No. 7 Lingard; Right winger No. 10 Raheem Sterling, left winger No. 19 Jones, center forward: No. 9 Harry Kane.

Raheem Sterling was in good form in the last game, scoring a goal and replacing Jamie Vardy in the starting line-up, with no changes elsewhere. ”

"Tick!"

With the referee's whistle, the game officially began, and the Croatian team, who were the first to serve, passed the football back to their own half.

The Russian commentator shouted: "The semi-final between England and Croatia has begun"

The Croatian National Sports Commentator shouted: "Come on, Croatia, tonight is our history-making day!" ”

The commentator of England National TV said excitedly: "Defeat Croatia to advance to the final, and once again attack the world champion!" ”

In the stands, flags fluttered, cheers were deafening, and on the pitch, England's midfielder immediately pounced on half the pitch and began to compete with each other in the midfield, and the game between the two sides had officially begun.

England's passing became difficult under the pressing style of play in Croatia's midfield, and Modigric's long ball flew to the right, and Henderson leaned on Rebic to fly the ball off the touchline, and Croatia's first attack was interrupted.

The ball came to England and they didn't launch a counter-attack as Croatia had dropped out across the board.

Under the organization of midfielder Alli, England patiently reversed the ball to find opportunities, and the Croatian midfield once again adopted a pressing style of play, but England used quick passes to make the opponent save again and again.

Over time, Croatia's midfielders reduced their tackling and opted for retreat.

In the 7th minute of the game, the football came to the feet of Sterling, who used his speed to break through Perisic and knock back five meters from the baseline.

Henderson, who was keeping up, sped up and sent in a direct cross to provide an assist to Kane in front.

Without waiting for Kane to head home, Croatian goalkeeper Subasic made a decisive move and leaped to his feet to knock the ball out of the box before Kane's header hit.

"Boom!"

The stadium erupted with a loud exclamation, followed by thunderous applause.

The Croatian National Sports commentator shouted: "Subažić struck decisively and knocked Henderson's cross out of the box!" ”

The ball flew towards the top left corner of the penalty area, Jones immediately turned to grab the ball, and Croatian midfielder Luka Modric took control of the ball first.

But Jones did not give up, Jones's tackling ability has long been known to the world because of the Champions League final game, as the core of Real Madrid's midfield, Modric is not clear.

Luka Modric played the ball towards Rakitic, who was about to reach out and take control of the ball when the intention was too obvious for Lingard to start a tackle.

The next moment, Lingard stabbed hard with his right foot, and the ball flew out in front of Rakitic's toe, and the ball flew towards Jones.

"Beautiful!"

The Russian state TV commentator exclaimed: "It was a nice tackle, the football flew towards Jones, what is he going to do with the ball this time?!" ”

Jones took a quick look to his left and right before receiving the ball, then stepped forward and stopped the ball with his right foot outstretched.

Midfielder Rebic came from the left side of Jones and Vrsalico from the right side of Jones, and they wanted to trap Jones, who had the ball.

Jones lifted the ball with his right foot, then lifted his right foot, shifted his weight to the left, and struck the outside of his right foot backwards on the ball, and the ball flew over Rebic's head and flew in front of Ali who was thrust forward.

While people were marveling at Jones' brilliant pass, Alli unloaded the ball with his chest, and there was not a defender around him at the moment.

Croatia, who had just resolved the crisis in front of the goal, immediately had Ali pounce, and others were looking for players to defend in the middle.

Ali didn't pause, giving his opponent time to react, he took a look at the situation in the box and then fired a cross.

The football flew towards the penalty area, and the Croatian penalty area was in chaos, and in the confusion no one touched the football, and the football flew backwards.

Raheem Sterling sped up to arrive, and unmarked, Sterling fired a direct volley, and the ball flew towards the golden corner of the goal, and finally the ball flew off the bottom line by grazing the post.

The hearts of Croatian fans fell, and England fans sighed helplessly, if this goal is scored, it will definitely be a classic team goal, but it's a pity!

Raheem Sterling covered his face with regret, he actually missed another chance, Croatia coach Dalic, he shouted at his defense: "Be careful, don't miss anyone!" ”

Southgate nodded in satisfaction and applauded his players.

The game soon resumed, with England dropping back and Croatia attacking, with a fierce battle between the two sides near the centre circle.

The Russian commentator exclaimed: "The semi-finals are nerve-wracking, both sides are very defensive, the ball has changed hands several times, no one can control the situation on the field, and both sides are in a tough battle. ”

In the 11th minute, Croatian midfielder Luka Modric forced a long shift under Henderson's defense, and the ball flew to the right front.

Croatian full-back Strinic strinić, who had the assist, headed the ball down the middle before sprinting forward quickly.

Striker Mandzukic wanted to pass the ball directly to his teammate Strinic, who was quickly moving forward on the wing, but Kyle Walker had blocked the passing route, and in desperation, Mandzukic had no choice but to control the ball.

Just as he stopped the ball, Stones pounced, Mandzukic reached for the ball with his right foot, he wanted to get rid of the opponent's save, and the next moment, he slammed his right foot and the ball rolled towards his left front.

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