After each matchday of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Sportsnet.ca’s World Cup Daily blog will recap the day’s events, and look ahead to the next day’s slate of games.
Here’s what happened on Saturday, in case you missed it…
THE RESULTS
Sweden 0, England 2 in Samara: Match report || match stats
Russia 2, Croatia 2 (Croatia wins PK 4-3) in Sochi: Match report || match stats
MAIN TALKING POINTS
Pickford exemplifies English calm and control
The Three Lions continue to roar in Russia. England is through to its first World Cup semifinal in 28 years following a convincing win over Sweden in Samara on Saturday, a result that never looked in doubt for Gareth Southgate’s side right from the opening kickoff. This was as dominant and as complete a performance by the English at this competition – solid defence, controlling the midfield and dangerous in attack.
Sweden had chances, but there was never a sense that England was in serious danger of letting the game slip away from its tight control. Dele Alli became the fifth different player to score for England at this World Cup, its joint-most in a single edition of the tournament, as sure a sign as any that it isn’t all about Harry Kane, and that this is a balanced English attack.
What’s been most impressive about England at this World Cup is its calmness and control at all times. This English team has rarely lost its collective cool, maintaining an impressive equilibrium no matter the situation or what the opposition throws at them. That sense of calm and control is, perhaps, been best exemplified in the play of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Only 24 and having only earned a handful of caps prior to this tournament, the Everton shot-stopper is playing with a level of maturity and poise well beyond his years and relative international experience.
There’s been times at this World Cup when he’s been reduced to spectator, such has been the extent of English domination. Yet, when called upon, he’s come up big at critical moments. That was the case again on Saturday, as Pickford made a number of athletic and stellar saves to keep Sweden off the scoresheet and help England maintain the momentum. He’s also shown a key understanding of when to quickly distribute the ball to launch an attack, and when to take his time in order to slow things down in England’s favour.
Pickford has carried himself with a quiet confidence, as if this is all second-nature to him. There have been no wild celebrations or fist pumps with teammates after making a save. Instead, he’s looked like a stone-cold killer in between the posts, as though he’s simply doing his job and doesn’t quite understand why anybody would bother to make such a fuss. It’s that attitude that had carried Pickford and England through to the final four in Russia.
Croatian resolve sees them through
Like England, Croatia is back in the World Cup semifinals following a lengthy absence, with Ivan Rakitic’s decisive penalty in a shootout sealing the team’s return to the final four for the first time since 1998. It was a talented and special crop of Croatian players who made headlines in France, led by Davor Suker, Zvonimir Boban and Robert Prosinečki. Twenty years on, an equally special group is turning heads in Russia.
Much has been made about the skill and technical ability of this Croatian team, and for very good reason. Luka Modric might just be the best midfielder in the world, his elegance in possession and deft touch a sight to behold. Rakitic, Ante Rebic and Ivan Perisic have also distinguished themselves with their exquisite play in Russia, and it says a lot about Croatia’s depth that a player the calibre of Real Madrid’s Mateo Kovacic has played a lesser role in this tournament.
What shouldn’t be overlooked about this Croatian side, though, has been its resolve and commitment. They simply don’t get flustered, and have repeatedly overcome adversity at this tournament. Saturday was just the latest example. Going down 1-0 after 31 minutes hardly flustered them, and they valiantly fought back to level before halftime through Andrej Kramaric.
They tightened the screw in the second half, remaining incredibly patient in possession and didn’t try to force anything as the Russians defended with their lives. Late in regulation, goalkeeper Danijel Subasic picked up what appeared to be a thigh injury. He was clearly in pain, but Croatia had already used its three substitutes. Instead of trying to simply hold onto the ball and get through five minutes of injury time in order get to the extra period when it would earn another change, Croatia went in search for a goal. Subasic played through the discomfort, making a series of big saves late in regulation and extra time.
Domagoj Vida’s goal in the 101st minute forced Russia to come out of its defensive shell. Perhaps taking inspiration from his goalkeeper, Modric went on a lung-busting run deep inside Russia’s half to chase the ball down before it went out of bounds. It’s that kind of unglamorous muck work that doesn’t draw a lot of attention but that has been vital to Croatia’s passage through to the semis.
A Russian equalizer in the 115th minute sent the Sochi crowd into a state of euphoria. The momentum had clearly swung in the host’s favour, and Croatia looked to be dead and buried. But Modric and his cohorts dug deep, continued to force the issue in search of a winner before prevailing in the shootout. Class won out in the end, but this victory had much more to do with Croatia’s character and tireless work rate.
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BEST GOAL
In the 31st minute, Russia’s Denis Cheryshev played a tidy give-and-go with Artem Dzyuba, took a few touches and then unleashed a rocket of a shot from 25 yards out that beat Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic inside the near post.
BEST SAVE
In the 47th minute, a high cross from the left flank is delivered into the box at the far post where Sweden’s Marcus Berg rise over England’s Ashley Young to connect on a powerful header. Jordan Pickford quickly leapt into action, diving to his left and parrying the attempt away with his left hand.
BEST MOMENT
The celebration from Croatian president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović after Domagoj Vida’s goal in extra time was priceless – and, ultimately, short-lived.
BEST TWEET
BEST QUOTE
Started as he meant to go on.
JORDAN PICKFORD #ENG #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/ZPaJlqR0nX
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 7, 2018
SIX PACK OF STATS
• Harry Maguire is the fourth player to score his first England goal in a World Cup knockout match, joining Alan Mullery, David Platt and Rio Ferdinand.
• England has lost just one of its 23 World Cup games in which it enjoyed the lead at halftime (with 18 wins). The one loss came in the 1970 quarterfinals against West Germany.
• At 22 years and 87 days, Dele Alli is the second youngest player to score a World Cup goal for England, behind only Michael Owen (18 years and 190 days) versus Romania in 1998.
• Croatia has had eight different players score at this World Cup. Only Belgium have had more different goalscorers, with nine.
• Every World Cup quarterfinal round since 1986 has featured at least one game that went to a penalty shootout.
• Mario Fernandes’ goal in the 115th minute is the latest goal Russia has ever scored in a World Cup match (including the Soviet Union).
Stats courtesy of Opta
THREE STARS
1) Luka Modric, Croatia: Had a hand in setting up Croatia’s extra time goal, converted from the penalty spot, and worked his socks off in orchestrating his team’s attack.
2) Jordan Pickford, England: The English goalkeeper made a number of big saves at critical junctures to keep Sweden from getting back into the game.
3) Harry Maguire, England: Scored the opener for England, and helped command a defence that kept Sweden in check for most of the match
LOOKING AHEAD TO TUESDAY
Semifinals: France vs. Belgium in Saint Petersburg (2:00 p.m. ET) – Belgium returned to the final four for the first time since 1986 after a brilliant display against Brazil. If was a defining game for a “Golden Generation” of Belgian players, but can they do it again versus a French team that has gone from strength to strength with each game at this tournament? Belgium’s attack has been red hot, but its defence has been somewhat suspect, so it’ll be interesting to see if the Red Devils try to tighten up, or will simply go all out in attack against Les Bleus.
ELSEWHERE ON THE WEB
Miguel Delaney of The Independent argues that France has reached the semifinals without hitting its top gear:
The lingering question with the French is whether they’re anywhere near as good as they can be. The actually pertinent question for this World Cup 2018, however, is whether France are already good enough. That is not to say it is a weak competition, or anything of the sort. It is that, as frustrating as it is to see France’s brilliant attackers trudge through games when it is so easy to envisage them triumphantly linking up, that does bring another quality. The lack of adventure does allow for a lot of security, with the side safe in the knowledge there is still sufficient quality to nick games and get them through.
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