Croatia ready for England in spite of extended matches

He added: “If we look at the World Cup here in Russian Federation, I’m wondering where are the European fans?”

It set the tone as Croatia became the first team since Argentina in 1990 to win consecutive World Cup games on penalties.

The fans at home would have possibly not expected such a show from their players, who have quickly been embraced as national heroes.

“So go there, everyone”, Cherchesov said at the team’s meeting with supporters at the FIFA Fan Fest at Vorobyovy Gory in Moscow.

Croatian “golden generation” has “power left for England” despite draining match against Russia They have experience, bags of talent and there is no questioning their fighting spirit yet there is something still strangely lacking in the Croatia team which has reached the World Cup semifinals for the second time in their history. “God-willing we would like to lift the World Cup trophy. He deserves that we follow him and stick with him, and that moment also shows how together we are and how fearless we are when we are all united”.

Both goalkeepers made early saves in the shootout, with an injured Danijel Subasic stopping the opening shot from Fyodor Smolov.

Denis Cheryshev was Russia’s biggest star at this year’s World Cup with four goals in five games. He added: “Yes, I was insane enough that I considered a Panenka!”

“I’m not going to be too humble, either”, he said. “He congratulated us on a very good game”. “We told him we were disappointed”.

“1998 will never be forgotten and should not be, but I would love it if eventually the 1998 “Fiery Ones” can be moved aside so that we can talk not only about 1998 but also a bit about 2018″, the former Real Madrid player said. “We looked decent. And penalties – it’s a question of luck. and fate”.

Denis Cheryshev gave Russian Federation the lead with a shot into the upper corner in the 31st minute and Croatia equalized with Andrej Kramaric’s header near halftime.

“This makes us extremely proud that after 20 years we’ve reached the semis of the World Cup”, the 32-year-old Modric added. But it didn’t happen.

“Personally I don’t think I played as well as I should have, but the team were resilient, defended well and dominated the game. Let’s not be happy with what we have achieved and go ahead”.

Many on the team were impressive during the tournament, however, and could now demand vastly improved salaries, including Dzyuba, creative midfielder Alexander Golovin and fullback Mario Fernandes. “Individual awards are not important for me frankly”. “It will be a battle again but I trust us, I have belief in us”.