Davor Suker and Harry Kane head past and present match-ups for Croatia v England

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • All four semi-finalists at World Cup 2018 feel the hand of history.

    Superstars of even Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic’s renown have spoken about the impact of Croatia’s debut charge to the same stage in France 1998. Similarly, Wednesday’s opponents at Luzhniki Stadium, England, regale about their previous last-four appearance – 28 years ago at Italia ’90.

    Here, we compare how the current competitors match up to their compatriots who last reached the World Cup semi-finals:

    CROATIA

    Goalkeeper: Sepia-tinged flashbacks about Croatia’s 1998 heroes often miss out their veteran goalkeeper.

    Drazen Ladic came into the tournament aged 35 and on the back of a suspect qualifying campaign. But he excelled in France, a superb save against feared centre forward Olivier Bierhoff coming in the famous 3-0 quarter-final victory against Germany.

    Danijel Subasic has enjoyed a strong tournament under head coach Zlatko Dalic. His superb penalty-stopping record for Monaco has continued in Russia.

    He pulled off a joint-record three saves in the round-of-16 shootout against Denmark, before – while suffering cramp –  pawing away Fedor Smolov’s pathetic ‘Panenka’ when the hosts were eliminated via the same method.

    1998 rating: 7/10

    2018 rating: 8/10

    FUSSBALL: WM FRANCE 98 Lyon, 04.07.98

    Defence: Croatia’s backline has performed in contrasting manners during both advancements to the knockouts.

    In 1998, there were no clean sheets in the group stage but a pair followed in the round of 16 and quarters. Such form saw left-back Robert Jarni earn a move to Real Madrid, via a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it stop at Coventry City, and youngster Dario Simic switched to Internazionale.

    Centre-back Slaven Bilic’s only misstep was a shameful dive that got Laurent Blanc sent off and ruled out of the final.

    Fast forward two decades and Croatia conceded once during the pools, but let in three goals during two knockout games. Besiktas utility man Domagoj Vida has been the outstanding part of a section that lacks glitter.

    1998 rating: 8/10

    2018 rating: 7/10

    FBL-WC-2018-MATCH59-RUS-CRO

    Midfield: Some of the most-refined footballers Europe has ever produced feature in both line-ups.

    Dalic’s crop is lit up by midfielders Luka Modric of Real Madrid and Ivan Rakitic of Barcelona. The latter has effortlessly dispatched clutch penalties to win both shootouts, all while performing in an atypical withdrawn role.

    Modric is a contender for player of the tournament. He is a maestro among mere mortals, even if his penalty technique needs improvement, with his perfectly sliced drive against Argentina the highlight.

    Zvonimir Boban performed a similarly accomplished role to Rakitic, 20 years ago. Both conductor and destroyer, he was a performer of rare talent. Napoli’s Aljosa Asanovic was an able facilitator.

    1998 rating: 9/10

    2018 rating: 9/10

    FUSSBALL: WM FRANCE 98 Bordeaux, 26.06.98

    Attack: Davor Suker’s genius was written across France 1998.

    Supported by the likes of Parma forward Mario Stanic, he struck six times in seven matches to win the Golden Boot as top scorer and Silver Ball as the competition’s second-best player. The Madrid frontman’s best goal was left for the third-placed play-off, drilling the ball into the bottom corner with adept precision to help beat the Netherlands.

    Dalic’s phalanx is led by Mario Mandzukic, a striker whose great gifts reside in selflessness and commitment rather than rarefied finishing.

    The Juventus man runs himself into the ground. His only goal of this tournament came with a snapped volley in a goalmouth scramble against Denmark in the round of 16.

    1998 rating: 9/10

    2018 rating: 7/10

    FBL-WC-2018-MATCH59-RUS-CRO

    OVERALL

    1998 rating: 33/40

    2018 rating: 31/40

    ENGLAND

    Goalkeeper: Shot stoppers at contrasting ends of the spectrum feature in this review.

    Jordan Pickford, 24, was named England No1 by head coach Gareth Southgate for Russia, despite then possessing just three caps. This show of faith has been rewarded in fine style, with the Everton keeper being the star of the penalty-shootout win versus Colombia and then producing a trio of expert saves against Sweden.

    Peter Shilton was a 40-year-old veteran at Italia ’90, his exploits still making him England’s most-capped player with 125 run-outs. But his age showed in the semi-final against Germany, when he couldn’t reach Andreas Brehme’s deflected free-kick or any efforts in the shootout.

    1990 rating: 5/10

    2018 rating: 8/10

    Cameroon's forward Frantois Omam Biyik (L) tries t

    Defence: Low expectations have been vastly improved upon in Russia this summer.

    John Stones and Harry Maguire have held tight in defence and contributed three goals in attack, while Spurs right wing-back Kieran Trippier appears a shoo-in for team of the tournament. But it took until the last eight to keep a clean sheet, with auxiliary centre-back Kyle Walker making several errors – punished or unpunished.

    England also utilised a five-man defence 28 years ago. Derby County centre-back Mark Wright got the vital goal in the groups against Egypt to progress, while only four strikes were conceded in the run to semi-final defeat thanks, in part, to the brilliance of Des Walker.

    1990 rating: 8/10

    2018 rating: 7/10

    FBL-WC-2018-MATCH60-SWE-ENG

    Midfield: Few players have had the impact, before or since, enjoyed by rampaging, gregarious playmaker Paul Gascoigne at Italia ’90.

    ‘Gazza’ was at his endeavouring best throughout a tournament that included several vital assists – plus tears after being booked in the semi-final that turned him into a global idol. An adventurous midfield saw David Platt and Peter Beardsley add goalscoring support.

    Jordan Henderson’s strong end to the season at Liverpool has continued in Russia. The anchorman’s passing range and defensive diligence was detailed against Sweden.

    Attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard has an average of 93.4 per cent pass accuracy, while Dele Alli managed to get on the score sheet in the quarters despite seemingly carrying a knock. None of these have matched the impact of Gazza.

    1990 rating: 8/10

    2018 rating: 7/10

    ITA: World Cup 1990 - England v Germany

    Attack: Tottenham strikers have both performed decisive role during England’s two most recent runs to the semi-finals.

    In the 1990 edition, Gary Lineker – tournament-top scorer four years prior – came alive in the knockouts. A brace of penalties salvaged the quarter-final against Cameroon and then he struck the leveller against Germany.

    That semi-final was less memorable for talented club-mate Chris Waddle, one of the sport’s best dribblers, who missed the decisive penalty. Elsewhere, Peter Beardsley was an unselfish auxiliary.

    Harry Kane is on track for 2018’s Golden Boot. His leading six goals includes a deciding brace against Tunisia, hat-trick against Panama and penalty against Colombia.

    Partner Raheem Sterling is yet to net, but his selfless runs have pulled defences apart and created space for others.

    1990 rating: 8/10

    2018 rating: 9/10

    FBL-WC-2018-MATCH30-ENG-PAN

    OVERALL

    1990 rating: 29/40

    2018 rating: 31/40

    Recommended