World Cup 2018: 5 talking points as Croatia beat Russia to advance to semi-finals

Croatia narrowly beat Russia 4-3 in a penalty shootout (2-2 AET) to book a place in the last four of the 2018 World Cup - their first semi-final appearance in two decades.

Both teams came into the quarters on the back of shootouts, as Russia upset Spain and Croatia overcame Denmark (and Kasper Schmeichel in particular).

Denis Cheryshev scored a beauty to put the hosts ahead just after the half-hour mark; Andrej Kramarić responded with a header in less than ten minutes, as the two sides went into half-time all square.

The second half was a battle of wits and nerves but no goals.

Extra time drama saw Croatia go into the lead courtesy of a Domagoj Vida header but there was more to come, as Mario Fernandes headed in the equaliser in the dying minutes of extra time.

With the game going to penalties, Zlatko Dalic’s side battled on and held their nerves once again to prevail over the brave-heart hosts for their second straight shootout victory. The Croats will now face England in the second semi-final due to be played Wednesday next week.

Here are the five key talking points from the showdown in Sochi.

#5 Hosts’ fairy-tale run ends but loads to cherish

Going into this World Cup as the lowest-ranked nation (at 70, no less) and qualifying for the event on the account of being hosts, not much was expected of Russia.

Stanislav Cherchesov’s men did nothing much to alleviate the sense of foreboding and possible humiliation either, going into the showstopper event on the back of seven games without a victory.

Five games into World Cup 2018 though, and the scenario could not have been any more beautiful for the hosts than if it were scripted for them. They beat Egypt and Saudi Arabia convincingly, only losing to Uruguay in the group stages.

Their fortress of a defence and a tireless, never-give-up attitude saw them get the better of a bewildered and clueless Spanish side and Croatia could not beat them in normal or extra time.

A dream run ended for the host nation today, but Russian fans and players will have a bunch of brilliant memories from this tournament to cherish for their lives and pass on to future generations.

#4 Subasic the difference-maker; Kramaric, Rebic shine

2018 FIFA World Cup Quarter-finals: Russia 2 - 2 (3 - 4) Croatia

Daniejl Subasic stood tall between the posts for Croatia and made sure not much got past him. He made a few good saves besides catching, punching and tipping the ball over on the occasions Russia managed to get through in the box.

Most importantly, he battled on through injury to make sure his side got over the line. They needed someone reliable at the death and – as against Denmark - Subasic stepped up once again. The 33-year-old keeper showed excellent reflexes to parry away Fedor Smolov’s opening penalty in the shootout, which proved to be the difference for the Croats.

Kramaric did his chances of making the first team no harm, scoring a crucial goal for Croatia and also making a nuisance of himself in and around the Russian box.

Ante Rebic also proved to be suitable attacking company; the Eintracht Frankfurt winger had a few opportunities to score that he should have buried. Nevertheless, he was a bright spark, especially during a period when the midfield and creativity seemed subdued.

#3 Dalic tactics eventually pay off

Russia v Croatia: Quarter Final - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

The Croatian coach made only one change to his starting line-up from the previous game against Denmark, bringing in Kramaric in place of the more defensive-minded midfielder in Marcelo Brozovic.

It proved to be crucial, as the TSG Hoffenheim forward cancelled out Cheryshev’s opener late in the first half. Kramaric combined effectively and lethally with Mario Mandzukic for the equaliser, scoring a pulverising header from a perfectly-weighted ball in from the Juventus man.

It was not cakewalk though; Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric took time to find their feet - starting from deeper-than-usual positions in midfield not helping their cause. The attacking momentum was very much in favour of Dalic’s men once they found their groove, especially throughout the second half.

Wave after wave of Croatia attack was repulsed by the hosts but the chances kept coming. If not for some bad luck, Ivan Perisic would have given his side the lead; the ball ricocheted off the inside of the post, denying the Croats.

Brozovic was brought on with a quarter of normal time to go; his fresh legs not only providing much-needed energy but also stability and freedom for Modric and Rakitic to pile further forward.

At the death, the Croatians showed nerves of steel to come out trumps as Rakitic slotted home the winning penalty for the second successive game in the world cup, following a similar outcome against the Danes.

#2 Attack, defence and attitude: Russia thrill, can build for future

This was no cagey affair. In a performance markedly different from the ones they showcased at the world cup so far, the host nation refused to watch on and let the opponent take complete control of possession as they defended their goalposts.

Cherchesov’s side found the spaces in the Croatian defence and exploited the awkwardness of a deep-midfield pivot of Rakitic and Modric. They kept running at the Croat defenders, drawing them out of position and eventually taking the lead through a stunner from Cheryshev.

Russia brought in an attacking verve to their usual defensive resilience and for quite a while in the first half, Croatia struggled to cope.

Even after Vida’s goal in extra time that gave the Croats the lead, Russia refused to give up and rest on their plaudits for having come this far in the tournament. They fought back – their aerial prowess and superior physical giving them a massive upper hand - in the late stages of the game and were rewarded with an equalizer via Mario Fernandes.

Croatia might have edged the hosts out on penalties but there is much to look forward for as far as Russia are concerned, on this evidence. A group of promising players in the squad (Cheryshev, Golovin, Fernandes) alongside more experienced names, led by a passionate yet pragmatic coach gives them hope to build on for the future based on the solidity of this foundation.

#1 Profligacy and exhaustion major worries for Croatia ahead of semis

Another day, another penalty shootout. That is at least 45 extra minutes (30 minutes of extra time + penalties) - not to mention the physical and mental drain thereof - in each of their last two games for Croatia.

It looked as if the minutes were taking their toll as the players began pulling up ragged. Mandzukic, Modric, Rakitic all seemed run-down and thoroughly exhausted.

What will worry Dalic most though, is the hamstring injury to Subasic. The Croatian keeper looked very much uncomfortable in the closing stages and required extensive massaging before coming back on for penalty duty. He has played a huge part in getting his side to this stage of the tournament; they will need his safe hands to be in charge against an upbeat England side in just over 3 days.

Additionally, the Croat coach will also have a word of advice for his charges – take your chances and bury them! His side looked bright and went on the attack but could not capitalize on the opportunities created early on. Shooting just over the bar – both Rebic and Mandzukic being guilty of this – does not help during the business end of the World Cup. If Croatia are to advance to their first ever World Cup final, they will have to be more clinical with their finishing and also banish any signs of tiredness or risk an exit.

Can their golden generation conjure up the necessary magic to make the final and then all the way? Wednesday will provide the answer to the first of these questions.

Edited by Sripad