- Croatia coach, Zlatko Dalic deserves a sensational amount of praise
- Croatia are the smallest nation to reach a World Cup Final since Uruguay in 1950
Wednesday saw an emotional game played out between England and Croatia in the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup.
The Three Lions fought gallantly but it was not enough, as Croatia showed more determination to snatch a 2-1 win in extra time.
Gareth Southgate’s side started the game in the ascendency and rightly took a fifth-minute lead through an amazing Kieran Tripper free-kick.
Gareth Southgate and his lads. Source: Fifa.com
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However, Croatia overturned things in the second half, first drawing level through Ivan Perisic before Mario Madzukic struck the killer blow deep in extra time.
England captain, Harry Kane. Source: Fifa.com
In the end, the Croats celebrated like they had seen heaven. But for England, it was yet another ‘so close, yet so far’ moment as it dawned on the players that the World Cup trophy was not going home after all.
Croatia into their first ever FIFA World Cup Final. Source: Fifa.com
But still that did not stop the emotions from pouring out. Football has a way of turning grow-up men into crybabies, and boy, the English players did weep after losing to Croatia.
Unbridled joy by Croatia. Source: Fifa.com
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Below are some of the best emotional photos from the game:
England coach, Gareth Southgate consoling his players. Source: Fifa.com
While the players may well get most of the plaudits, Zlatko Dalic deserves a sensational amount of praise. Brought in for the final two qualifying games, he's taken them from narrowly avoiding missing the tournament to the World Cup Final.
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