So it's down to two! We now know which two
countries will vie for the World Cup on Sunday. I take a look at who they are
and how they got there with a review of the two Semi Final splayed over the
last two days.
Semi
Final 1:
France vs Belgium
Belgium started the game like a team
possessed, powered mainly by Hazard’s darting runs down the left flank, which
the French were finding too hot to handle. The same player flashed a shot wide
with 15 minutes gone on the clock. Belgium looked menacing every time they
attacked and France were reverting to defensive solidity to keep opponents out,
barely able to string a move of their own. Varane managed to get his head on
another curler to just tip it over the bar with Lloris scrambling behind his
defender. Alderweireld swiveled and shot from near the penalty spot from the
ensuing corner, but Lloris made a diving finger-tip stop to denying the
Belgians. It was only after the half hour mark that the French started getting
into the game. Mbappe played in Pavard inside the penalty box in the 39th
minute. The defender had his goal bound shot just deflected by the thighs of
Courtois to deny what looked like a sure goal. Just 5 minutes after the restart,
France went ahead via a Samuel Umtiti header from a Griezman corner. The French
defender got free of his marker and reached the ball before Fellaini who was
lining up to clear it. Another five minutes later, Mbappe made probably the
pass of the tournament to find Giroud inside the box, but the front-man could
not get his shot away quickly enough, was blocked, and Courtois swatted away
the rebound. The introduction of Mertens finally saw Belgium getting balls into
the opposition box in the second half, via a string of crosses over a five
minute period. Fellaini went closest to converting from one such cross, heading
slightly wide from 18 yards. Belgium were unlucky not get a free-kick with 10
minutes to go, as Hazard was tackled late on the dge of the penalty area. The
referee played advantage, and Witsel’s long range powerful effort saved by
Lloris. France did not let Belgium have much of the ball following this,
frustrating their opponents with possession, and the latter seemed to
capitulate. Tolisso had a chance to put gloss on the result in the final minute
of injury time, but his low shot was saved again by Courtois, who barely did
anything wrong in the match. That was the last action of the game, and France
now make their way to the final. Belgium looked like they could blitz their way
through for the first half an hour, but lost momentum and then motivation as
the match progressed. They’ve had a good tournament, but this is probably the
end of their golden generation. For France, this is the second final in a row
in a major tournament, following on from their final appearance at Euro ’16.
Their golden generation is flourishing.
Final
Score: France 1 – 0 Belgium
Semi
Final 2: Croatia vs England
England got off to a dream start, with
Kieron Trippier scoring from a free kick just outside the penalty box, leaving
Subasic with no chance. England had the better of the play in the opening
exchanges, with Croatia only able to get away attempts from distance. Their
best chance fell to Rebic, who curled one from just outside the box, after an
English defensive clearance, but the shot was straight at the ‘keeper. Kane
wasted a golden opportunity to double his country’s lead, when he couldn’t slot
into a gaping net, with Subasic on the floor and defenders well beaten. The
goalkeeper recovered and got a toe to the English captain’s shot. The ball hit
the post following the deflection off Subasic’s toe, and looped out of play. In
the second half, England mainly backed and allowed Croatia to take control of
the midfield and flanks. The English resorted to long balls and long distance
defensive clearances even before an hour was up. Luka Modric, who was nearly
invisible for the first hour, sprang into life and started orchestrating the
Croatia midfield. In the 68th minute, Perisic got onto the end of a
Vrsaljko cross and touched the ball into the net. The Croatian winger shook off
his marker before getting in front of Walker, who was stooping to head the ball
away. The English defense had perhaps its first shaky moment of the game and
they were punished! Perisic nearly gave Croatia the lead just 4 minutes later, as
he ran at Walker and fired a low shot on goal. Pickford was beaten but the ball
came back off the post. Rebic tapped the rebound straight to Pickford. Mandzukic
had a chance 10 minutes later, but his shot was straight at Pickford as well.
England had one last chance from a free-kick in injury but Kane headed well
wide. The first half of extra-time was mainly uneventful, except for an injury
time chance for Mandzukic. The Croatian forward reached an excellent Perisic
cross, which had evaded all defenders, but the striker’s touch was excellently
saved by the advancing Pickford. There was a collision between the players, and
Mandzukic came off worse, leading to an extended delay. The Croatian dusted
himself off and got on with it eventually. And he made the telling impact 3
minutes into second half extra time. Perisic headed a ball over Walker into a
dangerous area from the left flank. Mandzukic beat the off side trap and shot
past Pickford from six yards. The ensuing Croatian celebrations knocked a
cameraman off his seat, but he got a kiss from Vida and a kind word from
Mandzukic to make up for it. England huffed and puffed for the rest of the
game, but the best chances fell to Croatia to extend their lead. A last minute
free-kick came to nothing, as the referee blew the whistle as soon as the
clearance was made. Croatia were going to a World Cup final for the first time
in their history. Football would be coming home, but to an English home. The
English had a much better tournament from their recent outings but the lack of
a killer instinct was clear for all to see. If they can build on this
performance, and grow in the future, then there is hope for them to keep performing
at this level in the near future. Gareth Southgate has to be applauded for
building a team and not a collection of individuals. As far as Croatia are
concerned, this is the biggest moment of their footballing history.
Final
Score: Croatia 2 – 1 England
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