England suffered World Cup semi-final heartbreak as Croatia came from behind to win 2-1.
Right-back Kieran Trippier rocketed in a fifth-minute free-kick, with Tottenham team-mate Harry Kane soon failing to double the lead. These misses – in England’s first last-four clash in the global event since 1990 – came back to hurt the Three Lions in the second half at Luzhniki Stadium.
Winger Ivan Perisic volleyed in the 68th-minute leveller, via a potential high foot. Then in extra-time, veteran striker Mario Mandzukic took advantage of centre-back John Stones’ woeful marking to lash Croatia into their first major final.
ENGLAND (3-5-2)
Jordan Pickford – 6: Performance mirrored that of the team. Dominated in first half and skittish after break. Redeemed himself with tremendous Mandzukic stop.
Kyle Walker – 5: Silly yellow card for time wasting and then his defensive instincts were questionable for leveller. A recurring theme in Russia.
John Stones – 5: Almost gifted Perisic his second goal. Punishment soon followed when he critically lost Mandzukic. Earlier header was cleared off the line.
Harry Maguire – 6: Can count himself very lucky that neither VAR or the on-field officials punished his first-half injury-time tug on Dejan Lovren.
Jordan Henderson – 5: A nagging hamstring complaint saw Henderson’s influence diminish. Did not have physicality to try and put his foot on the ball after break.
Kieran Trippier – 6: Should have been the hero after beautiful fifth-minute free-kick. Errors soon crept in, however, especially when ignoring Perisic’s run.
Jesse Lingard – 5: Was in the team to create and did not do this. Further tasked with using energy to disrupt Croatia and also failed.
Dele Alli – 5: Contributed to second-half surrender, despite earlier winning free-kick for goal. Deep role, like at Euro 2016, did not suit him.
Ashley Young – 5: A fifth start of the tournament proved a bridge too far for the Three Lions veteran. Removed for Danny Rose.
Harry Kane – 5: Unbelievably spurned two golden quick-fire efforts in first half. Then dropped far too deep in a harmful and misguided attempt to dominate proceedings.
Raheem Sterling – 7: Was liveliest player for England and it was a surprise when he was hooked. Still, however, goalless in Russia.
18 - Only one of the previous 18 teams to be ahead at half-time in a World Cup semi-final have failed to go on and win (Italy in 1990 v Argentina, who lost on penalties). Resolve. #ENGCRO #ENG #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/CkO7T5Q3sl
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 11, 2018
SUBS
Marcus Rashford – 6: Showed willingness, yet the big chance didn’t come his way.
Danny Rose – 7: Made several driving runs and probably should have started this match.
Eric Dier – 6: The penalty hero from Colombia didn’t get chance to make history repeat itself.
Jamie Vardy – N/A: Leicester City man barely touched the ball and came on after Trippier’s injury, leaving England with 10 men.
