Russia 2 (3) vs Croatia 2 (4)
The first 20 minutes showed a scoreless beginning as each team attempted to establish control. Croatia started with 70% possession.
Russia scored first on a brilliant long distance screamer of a shot in the 31st minute.
Croatia responded in the 39th minute to even the score. This match play had become desperate and physical. The usual player theatrics began to show on both sides.
The first half required only 2 minutes of stoppage time. The half concluded in a 1-1 tie.
The second half was mostly dominated by Croatia. Both sides played not to lose.
At the end of regulation time the Croatian goal-keeper pulled his hamstring muscle. Five minutes of stoppage time was added to the 2nd half.
Thirty minutes of extra time resulted from the 1-1 tie score.
The Croatian goal-keeper remained on the field despite his leg injury. A defensive substitution eliminated Croatia’s final substitution option.
Croatia scored in the 100th minute of extra time to take a 2-1 lead. The first 15 minutes expired left Russia with only 15 minutes to save their tournament lives.
Russia scored their 2nd goal to even the score and potentially send the match to penalty shootouts with 5 minutes remaining.
Penalty kicks... Russia shoots first: save, score, score, save, miss, score, score, score, score, score
Croatia wins!
It was a mouth-watering clash between the host country and the Croatia, indeed both team were at their best in the encounter and shown great qualities and the never die spirit! The fans also brought their A game to the beautify the game! Russia has been a great host of the mundial but Croatia deserves to play in the semifinals. Well don to Russia no body ever gave them the opportunity to play in the quarterfinals but they prove everyone wrong by beating the power house of the round leather game Spain!
My prediction is Belgium and Croatia will battle in the finals !
russia is not lucky .. or croatia more deserved to win??? 🤔
Although Russia tried, but I also think Croatia deserved it more. Like @geekis stated below, both teams played not to lose. But Croatia had the game more than Russia to me. And if any of them were not to be lucky, then Croatia should be the team. Croatia had more good chances to bury the game than Russia. Russia relied on defensive play/counter attacking football. This wasn't the case for Croatia.
This was like the most tough match I have seen in n this world cup. I can say that both sides played not to lose but the better team emerged the winner at the end of the game.