On July 11, 2018, Croatia faced England in the semi-final of the FIFA World Cup at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. Croatia won 2-1 after extra time, advancing to their first-ever World Cup final.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- England: 1 (Kieran Trippier 5′)
- Croatia: 2 (Ivan Perišić 68′, Mario Mandžukić 109′)
- Possession:
- Croatia dominated possession with 55%, while England held 45%. Croatia’s ability to control the ball allowed them to dictate the tempo of the match, especially in the second half and extra time.
- Shots:
- Croatia registered 22 shots, with 7 on target, showing their aggressive approach in attacking phases. England managed 11 shots, with 2 on target, reflecting their struggle to create clear-cut opportunities after the early goal.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Croatia displayed a passing accuracy of 83%, completing 576 passes out of 695 attempts. England had an 80% passing accuracy, completing 419 passes out of 522 attempts. Croatia’s superior ball retention was crucial in building their attacks.
- Defensive Statistics:
- England made 17 tackles, while Croatia made 14, indicating strong defensive efforts from both teams. England committed 14 fouls compared to Croatia’s 10, showing a more aggressive approach in trying to disrupt Croatia’s play.
- Set Pieces:
- England’s goal came from a set piece, with Kieran Trippier scoring a superb free-kick in the 5th minute. Croatia, however, managed to nullify England’s set-piece threat for the remainder of the game and capitalized on open play opportunities.
- Individual Performances:
- Kieran Trippier’s early goal was a standout moment for England. For Croatia, Ivan Perišić was instrumental, not only for his equalizing goal but also for his overall attacking influence. Mario Mandžukić’s winning goal in extra time was crucial, showcasing his poaching instincts.
- Tactical Overview:
- England employed a 3-5-2 formation, focusing on wing-backs to provide width and crosses into the box. Croatia used a 4-3-3 formation, which helped them control the midfield and exploit spaces in England’s defense, especially as the game progressed into extra time.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw four yellow cards: two for Croatia (Mario Mandžukić 48′, Ante Rebić 96′) and two for England (Kyle Walker 54′, Jordan Henderson 119′). This indicated a competitive and physical game, especially in the latter stages.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Croatia earned 8 corners compared to England’s 4, maintaining offensive pressure throughout the match. Both teams were caught offside twice, reflecting disciplined defensive lines.
Summary
Croatia’s 2-1 victory over England was marked by their resilience and tactical adjustments. Despite conceding an early goal from a Kieran Trippier free-kick, Croatia grew into the game, controlling possession and creating more chances as the match progressed. Ivan Perišić’s equalizer brought Croatia back into contention, and Mario Mandžukić’s extra-time goal sealed their place in the final.
England, after a bright start, struggled to maintain their early momentum and create significant chances, ultimately succumbing to Croatia’s persistence and superior ball control. Croatia’s historic win took them to their first World Cup final, where they faced France.
