itsbeautifuloutside

Match Report

IBO Reporter: theinvisibleman

Again, like previous match reports, I typed this up while watching the game. After the excitement of England getting through to their first World Cup semi final since 1990, it was time to see who their opposition would be.

Like England, Russia have progressed further in this World Cup than anybody thought possible, despite this current Russian side having been written off as the country’s worst-ever national football team, as well as the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, and got as far as the quarter finals, knocking out Spain en-route. Eyebrows have been raised and jokes made but, in fairness, this great run is probably down to being the host nation and host nations usually do well in their own tournaments, and absolutely nothing to do with any skullduggery. Russia have fervent supporters and a raucous support can work wonders.

Last time Russia got to the last eight was as the Soviet Union at the 1970 World Cup while Croatia’s best finish was 3rd at the 1998 World Cup in France, the first time they entered as an independent nation after the acrimonious break up of Yugoslavia and the vicious civil war which followed. As an England fan, I am not sure who I’d prefer in the semi-final, however while Croatia have Modrić, who is one of those players who can dictate the play, Russia have an intense and raucous support, which would undoubtedly help them.

Fascinating fact: The name of the stadium comes from Mt. Fisht, a 2867 metre limestone peak located in the western Caucasus Mountains not far from the town of Sochi where the stadium is situated. After the World Cup, the stadium capacity will be reduced to 40,000 from the current 47,700.

First half

Early on, Russia looked well up for it and caused Croatia a few problems at the back but impatience caused their moves to break down at the crucial moment. Croatia had a couple of moments themselves, notably a free kick in a dangerous area but which Ivan Rakitić put well over the crossbar.

In the 31st minute, Denis Cheryshev hit an absolute rocket from 20 yards out to put Russia 1-0 up; this has to be one of the tournament’s best goals as it curled beautifully round the keeper and in. In the 35th minute Dejan Lovren absolutely trashed Artem Dzyuba and got himself into the referee’s notebook for his efforts. Ivan Strinić was then booked for pulling Aleksander Samedov’s shirt and Croatia were beginning to collect cards. At this point you could see Croatia were getting frustrated and I was thinking there’d be a flurry of cards and maybe a sending-off. However, eight minutes later, Croatia equalised through Andrej Kramarić’s header after Mario Mandžukić went wide, taking two defenders with him, and crossed it into the box for Kramarić to score.

Half time: Russia 1 (Cheryshev, 31’) - Croatia 1 (Kramarić, 39’).

Second half

The closest anyone came to scoring in the first 15 minutes was when Ivan Perišić hit the post but, since the break, Croatia had been the better side. However, without Luka Modrić they wouldn’t be as good, he was dictating most of what went on.

Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subašić went down in the last couple of minutes of the 90 clutching the back of his leg, a possible hamstring pull, which could put Croatia in a difficult position as extra time and - possibly - penalties loomed. In Croatia’s previous penalty shoot-out, against Denmark, Subašić saved three so he would be a big loss to them. However, after a couple of minutes, he seemed to have recovered somewhat, although he still had a problem. By the end of the 90 minutes, Russia were just about clinging on.

Full time: Russia 1 (Cheryshev, 31’) - Croatia 1 (Kramarić, 39’). The match goes to extra time.

Extra time:

First half

It seemed that Subašić was okay to carry on as he wasn’t substituted, although he did not look very comfortable. However, Šime Vrsaljko injured himself and had to be replaced by Vedran Ćorluka, as this was the last of the four substitutes available to Croatia (the fourth can only come on in extra time).

9th minute of ET - Domegoj Vida puts Croatia 1-2 up and gets a yellow for his celebrations, which involved whipping off his shirt and waving it around. Russia 1 (Cheryshev, 31’) - Croatia 2 (Kramarić, 39’, Vida, 100’).

Kitchen sink time for Russia, they had two corners in succession, as they try to salvage their tournament and the Croatia goal has the effect of waking them up a bit.

Half time in extra time: Russia 1 (Cheryshev, 31’) - Croatia 2 (Kramarić, 39’, Vida, 100’). Can Croatia hang on, as half of them seem to have some problem or other, or will Russia salvage their tournament?

Second half

Russia had to go for it and go for it they did. Croatia’s Subašić made some good saves, despite his injury, but Russia make it 2-2 in the 115th minute. Russia defender Mario Fernandes (who’s originally from Brazil; he recently became a Russian citizen but can only play after a presidential decree from Vladimir Putin) scores with a header from a great free kick.

After extra time: Russia 2 (Cheryshev 31’, Fernandes 115’) - Croatia 2 (Kramarić 39’, Vida 100’)

Penalties (Russia to go first)

Russia: Smolov - saved (awful penalty) 0-0 Dzagoev - scored 1-1 Fernandes - missed (dreadful penalty that went wide) 1-1 Ignashevich - scored 2-2 Kuzayev - scored 3-3

Croatia: Brozović - scored 0-1 Kovacić - saved 1-1 Modrić -eventually scored, via the post, 1-2 Vida - scored 2-3 Rakitić - scored 3-4

Conclusion

It wasn’t a great game but it was absorbing and, in extra time, exciting. When you thought Russia were dead and buried they came back late in the second period of extra time to take the match to a penalty shootout. Croatia will now play England in Moscow in the second semi final on Wednesday 11th July. I wouldn't even try to predict the outcome of that one, as Croatia are a good side, but I feel England have got a very, very good opportunity to get to the final.