World Cup - Semifinal 2

Welcome to another WhoReps look at the 2018 World Cup. Today we'll be recapping Wednesday's semifinal and looking ahead to the final! Enjoy.
                                            
The World Cup final is set! In a heart-stopping affair, Croatia outlasted England 2-1 in extra time, after striker Mario Mandzukic snuck free and blasted one past keeper Jordan Pickford in the 108th minute. Desperate English rallies to level the score in the final 12 minutes fell short. Croatia has reached the ultimate stage of international football for the first time in their history. They will face France for a chance at immortality. 
 
It was all looking so good for England. The Three Lions took a 1-0 lead after just five minutes when a beautiful free kick from Kieran Trippier found the back of the net. English fans were certain the trophy was coming home. But Croatia's midfield of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, two of the absolute best in the world, began to dominate the ball in the second half. England held on to their lead for a full hour of game time, but it wasn't to be. Winger Ivan Perisic was able to squeeze inbetween the English defense and get his left foot to the ball after a perfect cross from Sime Vrsaljko. Tie game. From there the two sides went back and forth into extra time, and for a while this seemed certain for penalties. It was then that Manzdukic made history for the small Balkan nation. 
 
This has been a truly unprecedented run for Croatia. After becoming the first World Cup team since Argentina in 1990 to win two straight penalty shootouts, they are now the first side ever to win three straight extra time matches in the tournament. They've played a full additional 90 minutes just in extra time! Yet they belied that by playing with a pace and a fitness beyond the relatively well-rested English well into extra time. Remember, this is a Croatian side that only narrowly qualified for this World Cup, needing to win a playoff against Greece just to make it to Russia. Now, the country of just over four million people has become the smallest nation to make the World Cup final since Uruguay in 1950.   
 
England is denied their second ever appearance in the World Cup final. But all hope is not lost. This was a young English side, with rising star Marcus Rashford sure to be among the world's best in four years time. Harry Kane will still be well within his prime in 2022. Raheem Sterling is just 23. Breakout goalie Pickford isn't going anywhere. And hey, making the World Cup semifinals for the first time in 30 years is an amazing accomplishment. But that doesn't give them much respite right now. Four years is a long time. 
 
England will play Belgium in the 3rd place game on Saturday, a rematch of the group stage. The final between Croatia and France is on Sunday. Stay tuned to WhoReps as we recap it all!