Croatia Sacks Coach Ahead of Semi Final Clash with England

The Croatians went into Russian Federation as the 20th-ranked team in the world, but in particular their midfield talents of Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic meant they were fancied by many as dark horses for a decent run. And put in a performance. “I think it’s going to be incredibly loud in any bar we end up going to for the match”. We want players at 100 per cent fit. And the last time it played in the final four was 20 years ago, in 1998.

Paul Sealey, who is visiting the area, said: “The team will do all in their power to win”.

You couldn’t ask for anything more from the group of players.

“If I was in charge of the FA there would be no doubt that I would keep Gareth Southgate and Steve Holland in their jobs and give them the chance to take the team to the next Euros and the next World Cup”.

“70 minutes we battered them”.

“I’ve got a amusing feeling that the momentum is so good, and, you know, especially now that we’re all going to turn up with special Gareth waistcoats, and that can only help can’t it”, said fan Lee Walkup, 50.

Parv Moondi, 49, form Norwich, was also among those trudging out of the Luzhniki and back to central Moscow. “I’ll go even if England don’t make it, the atmosphere will be great”.

“I’m hugely proud of what we’ve done”. The Real Madrid midfielder, touted as a Golden Ball contender, is likely playing at his last World Cup, and Dalic is delighted to see him at his best.

“I’ve been to lots of failures and I thought this was the time”. It’s going to be a really hard task.

As they entered the second half of extra time against England with the scores level, it began to look like they would need to step up to the spot again, until Mario Mandžukić scored with 11 minutes to play.

Croatia opened at 60-1 World Cup odds to win the entire tournament; entering the semis, it was still the underdog at 4-1. Croatia was 6/4. Odds Shark had France as -210 to win the final and Croatia +185.