World Cup 2018: 3 reasons why England lost to Croatia

Croatia v England - FIFA World Cup 2018 - Semi Final - Luzhniki Stadium
Chin up, lads

#1 Came second in extra-time to nearly everything

Croatia v England : Semi Final - 2018 FIFA World Cup
Luka Modric does not stop

These Croatians can run and run and run and... Man, they've played 90 minutes more than any other team. So effectively, they have played an extra football game altogether and yet look hungry for more.

Hear this, Croatia did not make a single substitution until extra-time despite playing 120 minutes each against Denmark and Russia. Zlatko Dalic used his substitutions cleverly and with players like Luka Modric who would rather barf his heart out onto the field than have his opponents run over it, Croatia were better prepared for the final half an hour than their opponents.

Though England also had the opportunity to make 3 subs late into the game, only one- Jamie Vardy's introduction- was a truly positive change and that came after England were already chasing the game, deep into the second half of extra time.

Pivaric who was brought on for Strinic played a good hand in keeping the ball away from the Englishmen. In truth, once the game went beyond normal time, England were playing in Croatia's yard and the Croats showed enough quality- thanks to their experience there or not- and came out on top.

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