Al-Jasser: work is underway to restructure and develop aviation infrastructure    Diriyah to host third IMFC Deputies meeting under Saudi chairmanship    15,135 decisions taken to penalize Saudis and expats for violations    Saudi-European Parliamentary Friendship Committee discusses cooperation during Strasbourg visit    Saudi stock market loses half a trillion riyals, with Aramco's losses amounting to SR340 billion Tariff turmoil rattles Gulf markets    KAU to host Digital Communication Conference in Jeddah from April 29 to May 1    TGA: Riyadh tops with 45% of 290 million orders delivered in 2024    Aja and Salma mountains draw nature lovers to Hail's rugged landscapes    US revokes all visas for South Sudanese nationals over deportation dispute    Death toll from Myanmar earthquake rises to 3,471    Macron to hold Gaza summit with Egypt and Jordan in Cairo    Benzema rescues Al Ittihad with stoppage-time equalizer in thrilling Jeddah Derby    Al Qadsiah and Al Ettifaq share spoils in tense Eastern Derby stalemate    Moussa Diaby praises Al Ittihad's resilience after Jeddah Derby draw "When you can't win, you take a point"    Saudi assistant referee Iman Al Madani joins AFC elite list for 2025    Riyadh Art Week launches with over 50 galleries showcasing global artistic dialogue    Turki Al-Sheikh announces five new Saudi film projects to be produced in Riyadh    Saudi Ministry of Education to showcase innovations at 2025 Geneva International Exhibition    Ed Sheeran weaves Persian music into new song, Azizam    Veteran Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar dies at 87    Screen time in bed linked to insomnia, study finds    Bollywood actress vindicated over boyfriend's death after media hounding    Grand Mufti rules against posting prayers and preaching in mosques on social media    King Salman prays for peace and stability for Palestinians in Ramadan message King reaffirms Saudi Arabia's commitment to serving the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Mandzukic lifts Croatia 2-1 past England into World Cup final
Published in Saudi Press Agency on 12 - 07 - 2018

Mario Mandzukic struck in extra-time as Croatia
rallied 2-1 past England on Wednesday for a place in the World Cup
final against 1998 winners France, according to dpa.
Inter Milan's Ivan Perisic in the 68th and Juventus striker Mandzukic in the 109th reversed England's early lead from Kieran Trippier's free-kick as the southern Europeans made the showcase match for the first time.
They lost their first semi-final to France in 1998, and now meet Les Bleus again on Sunday at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium for a revenge of sorts and in search of the biggest moment in the nation's short football history. France, who beat Belgium 1-0 in the first semi Tuesday, are in a third final, winning 3-0 against Brazil in 1998 and losing on penalties against Italy in 2006.
The 1966 champions England lost in the last four as in 1990 as their strong run in Russia finally came to an end. They meet Belgium in Saturday's third-place play-off in St Petersburg.
Croatia, which was part of Yugoslavia 28 years ago and not an independent state, overcame exhaustion from two previous penalty shoot-out wins to prevail.
England manager Gareth Southgate left his line-up unchanged from the last game against Sweden while Zlatko Dalic returned to the 11 from the round of 16 match against Denmark, midfielder Marcelo Brozovic back in place of forward Andrej Kramaric who had started against Russia. And England got a dream start thanks to a 5th minute free-kick, awarded after Dele Alli was brought down after a nice flick-on by Jesse Lingard, which Trippier curled over the wall and into the top right corner from some 20 metres.
It was Trippier's first England goal and the team's ninth goal from a set piece in Russia, of their 12 overall, a record since official statistics started in 1966.
Croatia looked a bit rattled as England continued to attack and Harry Maguire headed wide right off a corner-kick. Captain Harry Kane then missed a golden double chance for 2-0 on the half-hour mark, taking up a through-ball but denied by goalkeeper Danijel Subasic from point-blank range, and then by the near post on the rebound from a tight left angle.
Seven minutes later Lingard miscued completely unmarked from the edge of the area. Some very sloppy defending then almost gave Ivan Rakitic a chance completely out of the blue on the stroke of half-time, but he was blocked at the last instance. Led by Luka Modric, Croatia stepped up their efforts after the break.
Perisic's blocked effort was a warning for England, and they were then level at 1-1 in the 68th, Perisic somehow beating Kyle Walker to flick home a cross from Sime Vrsaljko just as the defender waited to head it away.
England were shocked and Perisic hit the right post four minutes later on as Croatia found some new energy and once again headed into extra-time. Vrsaljko nodded John Stones' header off the goalline in the 98th but the winner came three minutes later at the other end when Perisic headed a clearance towards goal and Mandzukic beat Stones for the ball to slot past Pickford into the far right corner.
Croatia then hung on against England who finished with 10 men when Trippier limped off and all substitutions had been made.


Clic here to read the story from its source.