Modric and Rakitic Combine to Outfox England and Reach the 2018 World Cup Final

Years of hurt and failures of successive so-called golden generations meant that the English fans never had much hope to start with. Add to that, the abysmal performance in the last Euro when they crashed out from the platform after being defeated by Iceland, England had arrived in Russia without the usual rabid expectations that surround the English national football team. Gareth Southgate had ensured that the jersey his young squad was putting on was not a source of further pressure but a stuff which would liberate his team towards new heights. Flew his team did, till Croatia clipped their wings in the Luzhniki stadium. England gave their all throughout the tournament but came short in the semi-final against a battle-hardened Croatia who will become the smallest nation to compete in a final since 1930.

Southgate had consistently reminded both the media and the fans that his team were far from perfect, that this was not a golden generation but one which can be honed into world beaters. His words which were perceived as deflection tactics will prove serious after last night’s result. England were not in the game since the final few minutes of the first half. Croatia pressed them incessantly and England’s midfield was found exposed. Henderson did not have the tactical nous to disrupt Modric and Rakitic from gaining rhythm. The El Classico rivals will surely have a Herculean task when they face N’Golo Kante in the final. Perisic’s equalizer was also a moment of vindication for all those skeptics who doubted Kyle Walker’s presence in the back three. His defensive concentration has often been identified as one of the weaker aspects of the Manchester City team and here he was found wanting several times and the most glaring moment was when Perisic outfoxed a dazed Walker to place the ball deftly inside the goal.

England had started in the best of fashions. Dele Alli at the age of 19 had earned Modric’s ire when he had nutmegged the midfield maestro during a friendly match. It was amusing then that England's opening goal had come from a freekick which was conceded by Croatia after Modric had fouled Alli. Trippier and Young were hovering above the stationery ball and it was Trippier who bend it past Subasic. And so it was supposed to be the start of a new England. A new England were you bend it like Trippier, were your manager is an unassuming fashion icon whose primary concern is the proceedings on the field and not off it, were your captain is the contender for the golden boot and were the team had actually won a penalty shootout on their route to the semi-finals.

England for most part of the first half were lively and dominated Croatia. Sterling was having a good contest with Vida and Alli and Lingard were constantly being a menace for Croatia’s defensive line. Such was the pressure at times that Croatia had resorted to a back five of sorts as Brozovic was pushed deeper and deeper. Rebic remained inefficient and the constant interplay between England’s forward players meant that Modric and Rakitic remained isolated. However, things started changing towards the end of the first half. On the half hour mark, England should have been ahead by two goals as Kane wasted a gilded chance. After five minutes it was Lingard who had fluffed his lines. This perhaps was a wake up call for Croatia.

From the second half onwards Croatia grew into the match. England had an air of casual approach about them from here on and this the Croatians realized. After incessant pressure on the backline, Perisic’s moment of invention had arrived. Vrsalijko was afforded space and time on the right flank and he floated in a magnificent cross for Perisic. After equalising Perisic was about to take Croatia home with a silky piece of skill. However, the ball hit the post and the game hung in balance. As Croatia kept on pressing, England withered. In the second half there was not a single noteworthy moment for England.

The game entered extra time and Croatian fans should have felt nervous by now. It was the third match on the trot were their team had gone to extra time. Their nervousness found almost instant validation as Stones almost headed home, his effort being cleared from the line. Mandzukic, ever the team player and fighter of a nos. 9, was growing into the game even with legs which seemed would come off any time soon. He almost scored but was denied by a brave on rushing Pickford. Mandzukic was hurt in the process but he was not here to give up. As soon as the second half of the extra time started Stones - another inclusion whose defensive nous can at times be found wanting - fell asleep and allowed Mandzukic to score. Luzhniki erupted and from here on the outcome would be one only.

England had given their best and yet could not match up to the grit shown by their opposition. It was clear that Croatia were the more hungry of the two and playing as if they had a point to prove. Croatia had shrugged off the weight of 98 and advances to a World Cup final for the first time. For England, they will have other tournaments to conquer.