[Archive 2018-07-13] FIFA World Cup 2018 semifinals: Croatia sends England home, 2-1

Historical archive — originally published 2018-07-13. This report records what was known on that date. It is not current news; subsequent events may have changed the situation. Wikinews closed in May 2026.

On Wednesday, Croatia defeated England 2–1 in the semi-final of the 2018 FIFA Football World Cup with Mario Mandžukić scoring the winning goal in the additional time. With this victory, Croatia is in their first-ever FIFA World Cup finals, and they are to face France on Sunday.

Croatia had greater ball possession in the match. Croatian midfielder Luka Modrić committed a foul early in the game, and Dele Alli won a freekick for England in the 4th minute. Kieran Trippier scored from the freekick, giving England an early lead in the match. In the 14th minute, Harry Maguire came close to doubling the lead for England, but missed. Ivan Perišić and Ante Rebić tried to equalise soon after, but were unsuccessful. In the 30th minute, English striker Harry Kane was caught offside from Jesse Lingard's through ball. Raheem Sterling and Šime Vrsaljko also tried their luck before the end of the first half. The first half ended with England having a one-goal advantage.

Just three minutes into the second half, Croatia's forward Mario Mandžukić was yellow-carded. In the 54th minute, English defender Kyle Walker was also booked. Just after the one-hour mark, Ivan Rakitić missed a chance to level for Croatia. In the 68th minute, Croatia got the equalising goal as Perišić scored from Šime Vrsaljko's assist. England made a substitution in the 74th minute when Marcus Rashford came on for Sterling. The second half ended with both sides tied, 1–1.

At the beginning of the additional time, England made another change; Ashley Young was taken off for Danny Rose. Ivan Strinić was injured and Croatia made a substitution in the 95th minute, replacing him with Josip Pivarić. The referee booked Rebić in the 96th minute and he was later replaced by Andrej Kramarić in the 101st minute. Mario Mandžukić came to Croatia's rescue in the 109th minute, scoring from close range from Perišić's assist, which Jordan Pickford could not prevent from going to the back of the English net. Jamie Vardy came on for Walker in the 112th minute. Mandžukić injured himself and Vedran Ćorluka came on for him in the 115th minute. Croatia prevented England from getting an equaliser as the match ended 2–1 and Croatia advanced to their first-ever FIFA football World Cup final.

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