Mario Mandzukics 109th-minute shot into the left corner of the net sealed a 2-1 comeback win Mario Mandzukic of Croatia reacts after scoring in extra time during a 2-1 win. Mario Mandzukic of Croatia reacts after scoring in extra time during a 2-1 win. Photo: felipe trueba/epa-efe/rex/shutte/EPA/Shutterstock By Jonathan Clegg July 11, 2018 4:37 p.m. ET 17 COMMENTS MOSCOWRewriting history isnt supposed to be easy.
But from the moment they arrived at the 2018 World Cup, Englands national soccer team had made it look exactly that.
They cruised through the group stage. They breezed into the semifinals. They even found time to cure a deep-seated psychological hangup about penalties with Englands first-ever shootout win at a World Cup.
It was as though England had simply decided to cast off the half-century of heartbreak and humiliation its national team had endured in its quest to recapture the World Cup for the first time since 1966. 2018 World Cup Bracket
But 52 years of hurt and the emotional baggage of 50 million people has a way of catching up with you. And in its first semifinal appearance in 28 years, with a place in the World Cup final seemingly within reach, Englands serene progress through this tournament finally came up against an obstacle it couldnt simply brush aside.
The obstacle in question was Croatia, which clawed its way back from an early deficit to send a gripping semifinal to extra-time, where Mario Mandzukics 109th-minute shot into the left corner of the net sealed a 2-1 comeback win that sent Croatia into its first World Cup final and ensured Englands tortured relationship with this trophy will continue. Football is not coming home, after all.
With the victory, Croatia moves on to play France in Sundays World Cup final at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
Poster Comment:
The population of Croatia is 4 million. They are playing against and defeating much larger countries (Russia and England). France is a much bigger country and 90% of its players are immigrants!! In reality it is Croatia versus France and the Third World. This team has to be an inspiration to all underdogs in the world. Plus Croatia were anti-Communists when it was unpopular to be so. Finals are Sunday after church.