Good evening. After 28 years, England are playing in a World Cup
semifinal. They are up against Croatia playing for a place in the
final at the Luzhniki Stadium against France. By the time you see
this you'll know the result. COMMENTATOR: It has felt like a long
wait since Saturday in Samara. But it's nothing compared to the 28
years since England were last in a World Cup semifinal. Now the weight
of a nation's hopes on the shoulders of the team that has already gone
further than expected.
of the team that has already gone further than expected. This is
Croatia's most talented squad for two decades. Their talent is quite
remarkable for a country with a population smaller than Panama.
population smaller than Panama. A warm greeting between Gareth
Southgate and Zlatko Dalic. Croatia looking to go one better than the
1998 side. At the back they are unchanged. Subasic is OK despite a
hamstring issue. The only change sees... Brozovic comes into anchor
midfield. As England fans say same again, please, so does Gareth
Southgate.
Southgate. Jordan Henderson had a slight problem with a hamstring in
the last match but has trained normally and has a key role to play
against Croatia's main men in midfield. Eight of the 11 weren't
born when England last played in a World Cup semifinal. Gareth
Southgate wasn't around for the one and only final. Now they stand on
the verge of history. In reality, there is only one game bigger than
this. One more game to win, for that one shot at glory. Only three games
to go of a tournament that has made so many of us fall in love with the
beautiful game all over again. France await the winners. Martin
can't wait to see how this unfolds. I can't. We are privileged to sit
here and let's hope the Lions can put in a performance again, because
Croatia have some wonderful talent. Dele Alli is bundled to the floor
and it's a free kick for England. It's in a use for position.Good
play from England. Dele Alli getting on the wrong side of him. Just
roaring the free kick. -- drawing the free kick.
the free kick.Kieran Trippier has scored England! CHEERING
Pinpoint perfection!
Pinpoint perfection! In the game of their lives, it's the start of
dreams.The technique is beautiful. He makes it look so easy. The keeper
can't see it. A wonderful technique, up and down, perfect.
up and down, perfect.That is a thing of beauty from Kieran
Trippier. What a time to score a first international goal, what a way
to score it.
Alli gets it out. It will be another England corner. Trippier trying to
put in another perfect ball. England have all their ducks in a row.
Maguire at the back... Can't direct that one.His head is like a magnet
that the ball, it seems to go to it every time. He can't get it on
target. I think it's Vida who gets his body in the way of him. Croatia
played Argentina and they won it very comfortably, 3-0.Arguably one
of the standout performances at the tournament.Argentina were playing
with three at the back and that was significant.
significant.Dele Alli left a bit of a mark on Vrsaljko.
Jordan Pickford had it covered. Croatia are adamant that there was a
touch. Who from? Trippier or Pickford? Just off the boot of Kyle
Walker. The expression on the faces of those two doesn't change a lot.
Taken from Young by Rebic who's a real worker.Ashley Young can't take
any liberties with his possession, because this guy is on him.
There are is a way through to Kane! But it won't go in. It's bounced
over the line for a goal kick.
over the line for a goal kick.He's not offside there. The initial one,
really felt he should have scored there. Somehow the keeper gets back
to make the save. It's unbelievable. It must have been that first one.
Otherwise it's an England corner. Vrsaljko is on the flank now. Young
caught on his heels, Vrsaljko wants the return. Modric with nowhere to
go.
go. Rebic! Stoutly defended by Stones. Rebic again! Saved by
Pickford. That's the biggest moment of danger to England's goal.
Straight into his hands but it's a warning for England.
Now a bit of room for Croatia with Perisic. Rebic is snuffed out by
Ashley Young. Every defender for England has done something of note
already in the game.Ashley Young has had a couple of difficult
moments but he knows that man is coming in behind him.
coming in behind him.Young managed to get a foot around it. Brilliant
take and turn.
take and turn. Dele Alli waits the path... Lingard! What a chance.
path... Lingard! What a chance.It's great play from Kane. Just
travelling with the ball. Dele Alli comes back onto his right foot,
gives it to Lingard. He opens his body up and completely misses the
target.
target.Into added time, there will be one minute to go.
be one minute to go. This is why Croatia have a free kick. Trippier
blocked.
Lovren will leave it. Rakitic could only tentatively touch it. Modric
got half a yard away from Henderson but no further. Sterling won't have
to run further because the half-time whistle has sounded at the Luzhniki
Stadium. Just as the sides leave the field, the referee just waiting
because VAR are having a look at what they think could be a possible
penalty for this at the free kick. It's Maguire holding on to Lovren,
and Lovren down. The referee has picked up the ball and is striding
off towards the halfway line. The check is over and England can
breathe easy.
Big deflection on that. England corner.
corner.It's Kane again and Sterling linking up this time.The majority
of the England fans are singing and chanting their way, hopefully they
think back here on Sunday.We need the service is spot on for this one.
Clips to Trippier. Vida misses it. Look at this, on the volley, across
the goal...Lovren does very well. Great defending.This is the charge
England knew would come. Modric... Modric across, Stones away. There's
Perisic! He couldn't get to it. England's Yorkshire stone wall was
firm again in his way.
firm again in his way. It was Perisic, it hit Lingard and came off
the
the midriff of Walker. Definitely no hand. If it Lingard and Perisic
here? Check over.They seem determined to do a check on England
tonight.
Perisic came in to score! England's defence has finally been caught
cold. Perisic's finish red-hot.Look at this for a ball in. Perisic
getting ahead of Walker. Incredible how he's got his foot to that one.
Great ball in, you have to say. He gets there a fraction ahead of
Walker.Real desire to get to that. Perisic is a big game player. Six
goals he's scored a European Championships and World Cups.
Stumble from Henderson... Maguire is having a look, Pickford coming out
for it. Perisic! Perisic with the shots... Played back into Pickford,
who holds.It hits the post, comes back out and fortunately into the
arms of Pickford. Perisic hit the inside of the post against Russia as
well.No doubt it's Croatia on top right now. Modric using the ball so
well.
Played into Mandzukic. Pickford made the save look effortless.Such
quality that they have in that final third. This is the ball in, look at
his touch. Stands up well, the goalkeeper.Scored his first
international goal against England nearly ten years ago.
Another one flung over for Perisic to attack. Mandzukic jumps with
Pickford and it is over the top. Mario Mandzukic is starting to be a
big danger for England.He is, and this one is really hung up. Pickford
comes for it.But Croatia have worked their way back from being
behind at half-time. There is a huge half hour ahead.
Dele Alli. Needs to be strong under pressure and he is that. Danny Rose.
Rashford is on his bike. Rose. No way to go now, but he has found a
way to Lingard. Eric Dyer! That is ballooned wide. That is better from
England.Much more positive, Rose bursting down the left-hand side.
The same routine. One or two different players.
Over it comes towards Stones! A brilliant header off the line.
And Lovren is away with the ball and there is a bit of a full -- afters
between Rashford and Vrsaljko.He has just dropped back into the goal,
he goes back in to anticipate, and it is a great clearance from him.
Croatia ending the first half of extra time strongly. Perisic. What a
save by Pickford! It was a wonderful ball in. Mandzukic was onto it,
Pickford was on to him.What a ball this is, by the way. A great run
from Mandzukic, but outcomes the keeper, brave, determined. What a
save with his foot.
Back in by Perisic. There is Mandzukic! The master marksman. A
quite brilliant finish by Mario Mandzukic.
Is that the goal that has finished off England's World Cup?Well, it is
a ball into the box and if you look at the movement here, Mandzukic, he
just steals a March. He just gets in behind Stones and he is on it in a
flash. He is not going to miss from there.
Nothing Jordan Pickford could do about that. Three minutes of added
time are up. Another minute to play. Lingard. Maguire is an extra striker
now.
Dele Alli.
Dele Alli couldn't get through. Handball though. This really is it.
This is last chance time. The last bit of drama of the match, and
England have to score.We need that quality though. It has got to be a
good ball.It is Rashford. It is headed away. Croatia can run away.
And history is made. Croatia reaches the World Cup final for the very
first time. And after all that effort, all that energy, the ghost
of 1966 lives on for England. They have given it such a good go, there
is real hope for the future. But it is Croatia's night in Moscow and
they will have another go on Sunday against France. Journey's end for
England for now, yes, but we might have seen enough in Russia to
suggest that this is really just the start of one. Congratulations to
Croatia. They win 2-1.
Is the cruellest place to leave any tournament, the semifinal, but your
team couldn't have done any more tonight.I am incredibly proud to
have led them. They have left everything out there and I think we
will reflect on chances we might have taken, the goals we conceded,
but the distance we have come in such a short period of time and the
effort they have given, I think the reaction of the supporters at the
end shows what they think of the team and that is busy a big change
in a two-year period. We were always hoping that we would get some
connection back with the supporters and I think the players have played
so well. You are so close to something which we never thought
really was probably going to be possible and maybe just in this
game, just a reminder that we've still got a little bit ago as a
team.The first half, England looked so comfortable, the second, Croatia
did raise their game and England struggled to cope with that.We just
lost our composure a bit in terms of keeping the ball in that second
half. There are spelt like that where you have to weather the storm
and the experience of going through that for the players is another one
of several they have had to come through and in the end they came
through it and got some composure back in extra time. Yes, look, I
have said all along, we are not perfect and with more experience of
these big matches and going through those scenarios, you will learn ways
to get over the line. We weren't able to do that tonight.
We are gutted as a team. We gave it everything. We wanted to
give the fans here and back home a final. We thought we were good
enough to do that. We feel like it is an opportunity missed, of course.
But we have got to hold our heads up high. We have come a long way in two
years. There's a lot of positives when we look back and we just have
to build on it. It hurts now and it is going to hurt us and you guys and
everyone for a while but it is a great foundation we have built and
it is an exciting future ahead. These are the times you learn from.
We would like to get the final, we would like to win it, but as a human
being, as a person, as a team, we learn more by not getting through.
We will back stronger. We will go back, we have got a game on Saturday
and we want to finish on a high. What are you most proud of about the
whole group because you always give praise to every single member of
your backroom staff as well.The fact they have been so together and
the fact that we know we couldn't have given any more, we couldn't
have prepared in any different way and we have played well. We have
played well in this tournament and given a really good account of
ourselves. I think the rest of the world have acknowledged that. So we
have made a big stride forward as a national team.
So it is not going home this time. A courageous effort from England but
in the end it is Croatia who go through to their first-ever World
Cup final. Alan went deeply disappointing.Disappointing but I
am delighted with the way England performed. They far exceeded our
expectations. I think we should congratulate them. It wasn't meant
to be tonight. We said before the tournament that if these boys go
home having given absolutely everything everyone would be happy
and that has been the case in all the games. I congratulate them, I
commiserate them, but plenty to look forward to.England certainly gave
everything, no question about that. In the end, perhaps a bit of
inexperience.I think experience today was a telling factor. This is
Croatia team have got medals all over that squad. But this is not a
time to nit-pick the detail, this bunch of players, they have got a
foundation now to believe in. Look at these guys singing. They are
testament to this team. One thing I did say before when I was asked,
what do you want to get out of this tournament, you want this team to
come out with an identity, a philosophy of playing, and to make
the nation proud. They have done all those things.A terrific first half
display as well. They got that early goal and it looked so promising.
They got off to a very good start. They basically dominated for the
first 45 minute. What Croatia did in that second half is just step ten
yards further up the pitch and Modric came into the game and used
all his experience. He bossed the midfield in the end. We couldn't get
near him. His passes, he was superb. I thought he was Man of the Match
and he was such a vital cog in pulling Croatia back into the game.
That is where we just laughed a little bit of experience.The
perfect start as well.
Trippier's stock has gone through the roof since this tournament
started. He put another wonderful ball across the box in the second
half as well. Unfortunately he had to come off. Pickford, everyone was
questioning, is he the right guy? Yes, he is. And that is what women
football is about, going to a tournament and coming out of a
better player, knowing more about yourself and then going on to the
next one with confidence. This team can develop into a very strong team.
Another player, John Stones was terrific. A wonderful tournament
again.I have been an admirer of him for a long time. He has come in for
a bit of stick, a few lapses in concentration but his stock has gone
up in this tournament. Today, he defended unbelievably. He was
majestic in possession, great passing through the line, Maguire
the same, and that is what you want. We have got an inexperienced, young
squad. Are they better players for this, yes, they will be.
Who would you pick out as England's star performers in this tournament?
Kieran Trippier for one, absolutely. Jordan Pickford has been
magnificent. Certainly with his passing as well, right foot, left
foot. Harry Kane was a little bit quiet in the knockout games. He had
his one chance tonight and wasn't able to put it away. But so many
positives. If everyone is honest with themselves, they didn't really
see us getting past the quarterfinal at best, so to get to a semifinal,
to go home with our heads held high, I know we have got a third and
fourth place game to play, you won't really want that at the minute, but
if you can finish that, they have been brilliant.What has been great
as well, we have been fortunate enough to get great tickets appear,
you meet a lot of ex-players, guys who have played the game, and they
have always said England are playing good football, playing out from the
back. To come out of this with people saying, they have created
something here, there is something to build on.From two years ago,
from the embarrassment of being beaten in the Euros by Iceland, to
being applauded off when the team has been beaten, that in itself is
brilliant progression. Something to look forward to, something to work
too, and all I would say is, well done, guys. You have given us plenty
to shout about over the last month. A word on Croatia, their first final
now. Three times they have come from behind in this competition. Great
resilience. The edge was really midfield.I said they would be
shattered and fatigue would play a part. The way they work playing this
game, they pressed the sad times, experience. Experience is the key.
Perisic, Modric, Rakitic, Mandzukic. They know how to get through a game.
They can put their foot on the ball and pass it as well.And they didn't
panic. When they went a goal down, experienced heads, cool and
confident. That's fine, we will have our time in the game. And in the
second half, they just stepped it up a gear. England could not really
cope with it. Experience was without a doubt the key.
a doubt the key.A word on Gareth Southgate. He has done a marvellous
job. He has garnered this kind of atmosphere from the fans. And he has
handled everything beautifully.He has been majestic in preparation,
getting these boys ready, making them understand what it means to
play for England. He has had the media on site, which is a big thing
in a tournament. And in the qualifiers, he played a particular
way. He made a bold decision straight after the qualifiers to go
to three at the back and we would stop playing out of the back. He put
that into play, implemented it. And he has come away as a better,
stronger person.And the players believe in it. Whatever he was
telling them, whatever system, whether he was taking off or
bringing on, the players believed he was doing the right thing. It is a
big advantage.
It didn't happen in England, it's a real shame but they will fight for
the third place on Saturday and we'll be back for the final on
Sunday. No England, though. # This is what we came here for
# I won't give
# This is what we came here for # I won't give it up
# This is what we came here for... COMMENTATOR: Kieran Trippier has
scored the England! # I came here for love
# For someone to hold me # I won't give it up... COMMENTATOR:
Perisic came in to score! It's gone to extra time. Stones!
to extra time. Stones! Croatia reaches the World Cup final. The