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Croatia knock hosts Russia out of World Cup on penalties

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Croatia have knocked out Russia, hosts of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, out of the tournament, to set up a semifinal meeting with England.

The quarterfinal game, played at the Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi on Saturday night, was another entertaining show at the ongoing tournament.

Russia were ahead in the 31st minute from a sweet volley by Cheryshev but Croatia leveled only about 8 minutes later as Andrej Kramaric headed in from Mario Mandzukic cross

Croatia thought they had won the game in the 100th minute when a corner was played in and Domagoj Vida nodded it into the net to put his country ahead.

Read Also: Dele Alli scores as England ease past Sweden to World Cup semi

But with less than 5 minutes left, Mario Fernandes leaped up high and nodded in a cross straight into the back of the net, to send the game to penalty shootout.

In the shootout, Ivan Rakitic scored the decisive spot-kick as Croatia won 4-3 over the home team, to book a last four spot.

Goalkeeper Danijel Subasic was Croatia’s penalty hero, denying Fedor Smolov before seeing Mario Fernandes fire wide.

The Group D winners are reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

They take on England on Wednesday, while the other semifinal clash between France and Belgium will hold the precious day – Tuesday.

 

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