Russia-Croatia was never over. A thrilling match. Intense. Opened by a magical effort from Cheryshev and then turned around by Dalic's team. With Kramaric, of course, but above all with the usual dead-ball and Vida's header. With five minutes to go, it all seemed over. Even the hopes of a heroic Russia. Extraordinary. Pragmatic and stubborn. But with another header, and another dead-ball, Mario Fernandes equalized. A recurring theme in these quarterfinals. Varane for France. Fernandinho against his Brazil. And Maguire for England. The next opponent for the Croatians, as tough as Cherchesov's team, still on the pitch for 120 minutes, just like their opponent. Russia proved they are a real team. That they have heart. And that they emerged with their heads held high. In a match of nerves and incidents. Like Cheryshev's opener, the perfect synthesis of a ruthless and ruthless team, capable of making the most of all their weapons. The closed defense, for example, but also Dzyuba's lay-offs and the midfielders' runs. Like the Villarreal player, precisely, who scored a perfect one, gathering the ball and placing it under the crossbar with his left foot. Magic! Then Kramaric equalized, also a surprise. In the best moment of the home team, galvanized by the lead. Mandzukic controlled the ball and crossed for his teammate to run in centrally. A header and a goal. A fair result that brought both teams to the break. The ninetieth minute would also end with the same score. In between, a more courageous Croatia, deserving of the victory and qualification. Perisic hit the post (the inside of the post!) glaringly, but never faltered. Never in trouble. Not even when Subasic was injured in the 90th minute, just seconds after Dalic's third and final substitution. Suspected of a strain, he remained on the pitch with a bandage and saved from Smolov, almost as if injured. It was the chance of a lifetime for the Russians. The goalkeeper, hero of the match against Denmark, actually remained on the pitch, recovering from the muscle strain but leaving the clearances to his defensive teammates. Then, in extra time, the unexpected happened. First Vida, then Mario Fernandes. A story yet to be written in the penalties. The goalkeepers were decisive once again, with two saves from Smolov and Kovacic, a mistake from the scorer of the 2-2 draw in the closing stages, and the usual Rakitic. Cool from the spot. Croatia won, and will face England in the semifinals.
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