'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
England team analysis and stats
What seems to be working quite well for the England team is the fact that along with the attackers, their defenders are also chipping in with some important goals in the tournament. That is the quality that Gareth Southgate will look to take advantage of against the Croats.
England has scored 11 goals this World Cup, equalling their record from the victorious 1966 team, eight of which have come from set-pieces. The likes of John Stones(2 headed goals) and Harry Maguire(1 headed goal) will surely want to add to their tally from the previous matches from set-pieces. With 58.9 % aerial duels won(highest in this tournament), the England team will have an extra edge in the semi-final against Croatia.
The reason that England left Euro 2016 embarrassed after their defeat to Iceland has probably made this England side what it is now. With most of the central players from that fateful defeat gone, Southgate has devised his team with talented youth and tactically disciplined players.
However, Harry Kane will be the player to watch out for, with 55% contribution from England's total in this tournament so far. The top scorer in this World Cup, Harry Kane will definitely want to add to his total in the match as he has already equalled James Rodriguez’s record of 6 goals in World Cup 2014.
While Southgate will be happy with his players’ performances in this World Cup, he will want to make sure that they keep complacency aside for the game against the experienced Croatian team. However, his team will be confident of the way that they play after a flawless performance in the game against Sweden.
Conclusion
The previous meetings between the two teams suggest we are in for an exciting contest in the semi-final. With four goals-per-game on average in their previous seven meetings producing 28 goals, it is more than the average of 2.62 goals-per-match in this World Cup. The last time they faced in tournament finals, England won 4-2 in Euro 2004.
Hencd, we can expect an exciting game with the World Cup final at stakes. While England broke the penalty shoot-out jinx in the round of 16 match against Columbia and Croatia, winning two penalty shoot-outs in succession, both the teams will be high on confidence to go all the way to reach the final and possibly win it.
