But to get to that final, the Vatreni pulled off a huge feat in the previous round: beating England. Let’s look back at this not-so-distant match, which has become one of the defining encounters for a Croatia side that went on to finish 2nd, then 3rd in 2022.
When the whistle was about to blow for the start of this semi-final on 11 July 2018 at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, the two teams arrived with completely opposite momentum and freshness.
On one side, England under Gareth Southgate were riding a wave of optimism not seen since 1990.
Driven by Harry Kane on his way to the Golden Boot and the globally chanted anthem “It’s Coming Home”, the young English side had swept aside Sweden (2-0) in the quarter-finals.
They arrived fresh, confident in their strength, and convinced their time had finally come.
On the other, Croatia looked like a team of survivors. While their group stage had been a masterpiece (notably a 3-0 thrashing of Argentina), the knockout rounds had turned into an ordeal: 120 minutes of fierce battle against Denmark in the last 16, settled on penalties (1-1, 3-2 pens), then another exhausting marathon against Russia, the hosts, in the quarters, again going all the way and won through sheer willpower (2-2, 4-3 pens).
In total, Croatia’s key players (Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Perisic) already had 240 minutes in their legs in less than a week, not to mention the nerve-wracking penalty shootouts.
For many observers, it was a step too far: Croatia were exhausted, England would suffocate them.
Trippier’s hammer blow and England’s game management
The opening minutes seemed to prove the doubters right. In just the 5th minute, Dele Alli drew a foul from Modric on the edge of the Croatian box.
Kieran Trippier stepped up for the free kick. With a perfectly curled right-footed strike, the Tottenham full-back found the top corner past a helpless Danijel Subasic.
This lightning start stunned the Vatreni and fired up the Three Lions. Throughout the first half, England managed their lead and looked the more dangerous side.
Kane came close to doubling the advantage in the 30th minute, denied twice at point-blank range by a heroic Subasic.
At half-time, Croatia were behind, seemed to be running on empty, and the Sterling-Lingard-Alli midfield was dictating the tempo.
The second-half transformation: Leaders step up
But this Croatian team had an extraordinary fighting spirit. After the break, coach Zlatko Dalic urged his side to push higher up the pitch.
That was when the Modric-Rakitic-Brozovic trio took control, putting their foot on the ball and snuffing out England’s pressing. Possession shifted, and fatigue seemed to melt away.
Relentlessly pushing forward, the Croatians finally broke down the Three Lions’ defence: Sime Vrsaljko, unstoppable down the right, whipped in a cross to the far post.
Ivan Perisic appeared from nowhere and, with a pure striker’s move right on the edge of dangerous play, beat Kyle Walker to the ball and smashed it into the net.
The match descended into chaos. Transformed, Croatia almost settled it soon after when Perisic, again, hit the post with Jordan Pickford beaten. England had no answer, but somehow managed to hold on for extra time.
Extra Time: Mandzukic’s killer blow
For Croatia, it was a third consecutive match going to extra time – a unique feat in modern World Cup history. On the pitch, bodies were creaking, Mandzukic was grimacing, Ivan Strinic had to go off, crippled by cramp.
Yet tactically and mentally, it was Croatia who were on top. Vrsaljko first saved his side on the line from a John Stones header, before the decisive moment arrived.
Then, the breakthrough: after a high ball into the England box, the Three Lions’ defence lacked aggression. Perisic flicked the ball backwards with his head.
Quicker and smarter than John Stones, Mario Mandžukić pounced and fired a left-footed shot across goal past Pickford.
Mandžukić and his teammates ended up in the arms of FIFA photographers in a scene of pure joy. The last ten minutes were a masterclass in game management and courage.
After 360 minutes of football in three matches, Croatia had done it: they were in the World Cup final.
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Historic Impact: The birth of a resilience powerhouse
Although the final would be lost a few days later to France, with their energy reserves finally depleted, this triumph over England changed Croatia’s status forever.
This match proved to the world that this country was not just a collection of individual talents, but a team with unmatched mental strength.
Their refusal to accept defeat, their ability to survive extra time and punish any hint of overconfidence became the Vatreni’s DNA.
It was a magic formula they would repeat four years later in Qatar (knocking out Japan and Brazil on penalties) to claim a fantastic third place finish on the world stage.
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