Croatia 2-1 England: Our live blog of the crucial World Cup semi-final

By Tom Carnduff

REFRESH PAGE FOR UPDATES

22:03 - FANS AFTER THE GAME

Wonderful stuff from the England fans despite the heartbreak.

21:37 - FULL-TIME - CROATIA 2-1 ENGLAND

That's it - England are out of the World Cup at the semi-final stage.

It wasn't to be for the Three Lions, this young Three Lions group who made themselves contenders in Russia.

There may not be a World Cup at the end of it - but they're restored the pride in the national team, which hasn't been present in a significant number of years.

This England team will get better in the future, and if this is the starting point, then there is surely promising years to come for English football.

Croatia will face France in the 2018 World Cup final in Moscow - in what will be their debut appearance at the final hurdle of the tournament.

21:36 - CROATIA 2-1 ENGLAND

England have a free-kick in a position where they can get the ball in the box. This really is the last chance they will have.

21:36 - CROATIA 2-1 ENGLAND

Final minute...

21:35 - CROATIA 2-1 ENGLAND

Two minutes left, England yet to create a clear chance. Croatia have surely won this.

21:33 - CROATIA 2-1 ENGLAND

FOUR added minutes for England to save their World Cup hopes...

21:32 - CROATIA 2-1 ENGLAND

Croatia break as England push forward. Kramaric has Perisic with him but scuffs his shot into the side-netting.

21:31 - CROATIA 2-1 ENGLAND

Cross comes in, Lovren deflects behind but Croatia have a goal-kick (?). Modric is off - Badelj.

I reckon there's at least five minutes left to play here

21:29 - CROATIA 2-1 ENGLAND

Alli is brought down and England have a free-kick in a crossing position, some distance out though. Three minutes remain.

21:26 - CROATIA 2-1 ENGLAND

Croatia keeping the ball well and earn themselves a corner. Mandzukic is down with cramp, again, so it looks like Corluka will be replacing him with six minutes left.

21:25 - CROATIA 2-1 ENGLAND

England pushing - long ball into the box is challenged by Alli, but Subasic does enough to gather.

21:24 - CROATIA 2-1 ENGLAND

Last roll of the dice for England - Jamie Vardy replaces Kyle Walker

21:24 - CROATIA 2-1 ENGLAND

England have nine minutes to find a goal. They'll be annoyed by the fact that goal was preventable. England's World Cup journey is set to come to an end.

21:21 - GOAL - CROATIA 2-1 ENGLAND

That could be it - Mandzukic gives Croatia the lead with 12 minutes left. England once again go to sleep at the back and the striker pounces to finish low into the net.

21:20 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

England go to sleep and the pass along the ground finds a Croatia player unmarked. His shot is over the bar though.

21:19 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

Perisic wins Croatia another corner - this is incredibly nervy...

21:18 - SECOND-HALF EXTRA-TIME - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

Croatia restart the game, will we see a winner or are penalties required?

21:15 - HALF-TIME EXTRA-TIME - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

Poor corner from Croatia as it's played short and back to Modric. Trippier does well to stop any cross going in and the referee blows the whistle. 15 minutes remain...

21:14 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

This Croatian corner will be the last act of the half...

21:13 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

BRAVE GOALKEEPING FROM PICKFORD. Cross comes in and Pickford throws himself in the way of Mandzukic and the ball is deflected over for a corner.

Wonderful goalkeeping.

21:11 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

Two added minutes here.

21:10 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

Last few minutes of the first-half of extra-time. Both sides looking to get on the ball and both have created chances. Score remains 1-1 though.

21:06 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

Rashford fouls as he runs back, although I'm not sure on that way. Rebic is replaced by Kramaric - once of Leicester City. Croatia have a free-kick in a good crossing position.

21:05 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

SO CLOSE!

John Stones gets his head on it - but it's cleared off the line! Wow...

21:04 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

Dier's first act is a shot from distance. It's deflected behind and England have themselves a corner.

21:03 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

Free-kick from a central position is crossed in but Croatia are awarded a free-kick for a foul. Jordan Henderson is replaced by Eric Dier.

21:02 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

Now Rebic IS carded - confirming earlier that it was Mandzukic booked, and not Rebic as was announced at the time.

21:00 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

Croatia forced into an early extra-time sub, Pivaric replaces Strinic - who is forced off with injury. He had to leave the pitch early against Russia too.

20:56 - EXTRA-TIME - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

Substitute for England - Danny Rose replaces Ashley Young. We're underway in extra-time.

20:53 - BETTING

A look at the method of victory odds - little separates the two teams.

• Croatia in Extra Time - 4/1
• England in Extra Time - 11/4
• Croatia on Penalties - 2/1
• England on Penalties - 2/1

Head here to bet with Sky Bet

20:50 - FULL-TIME - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

We're going to play another 30 minutes. Both teams have gone the full distance already this tournament, Croatia twice, fitness will play a big part here.

This is tense. Incredibly tense.

20:48 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

It comes to Kane...and he heads it into the floor and out for a goal kick. One minute remains.

20:48 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

England have a free-kick in a good crossing position...

20:47 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

There will be three minutes added time...

20:44 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

Oh my word what an opportunity that could have been. Kane tries to play in Lingard who looks to turn and go in on goal, it's a little too hard and goes out for a goal-kick...

20:41 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

Another chance for Perisic. Pickford tries to punch but it's not great, Perisic attempts the lob but it's well over the bar.

Tense.

20:37 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

Into the final ten minutes of normal time - will we see a winner in 90 minutes?

20:35 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

A rare chance for England on current balance. Kane plays through Lingard but he drags his shot across the face of goal. Henderson also has a go from outside the area but it flies over.

20:34 - BETTING

England now back to 4/6 to qualify again, with Croatia into 6/5 - this one hangs in the balance currently.

Head here to bet

20:32 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

England need to spend some time on the ball and compose themselves as they look very shaky currently and Croatia have their tails up...

20:31 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

England substitution - Marcus Rashford replaces Raheem Sterling.

20:29 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

CROATIA HIT THE POST! Oh no, it's in danger of going wrong. The England defence have to talk to each other there. Perisic is played in and his shot across the face of goal strikes the post. This is worrying...

20:27 - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

Croatia have been much better in this second-half and England will be disappointed they didn't take one of those chances in the first-half. 20 minutes remaining.

20:25 - GOAL - CROATIA 1-1 ENGLAND

Perisic equalises. Cross comes in and he does well to get on the end of it. It's been coming you feel at times.

20:23 - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

Wow, tense! Croatia attack and England clear the initial clearance. Only as far as Ivan Perisic though - and his shot from the edge of the area is blocked by a number of England players who are throwing themselves in front of it.

20:19 - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

Croatia looking lively now as they push for a goal. They're seeing a lot more of the possession than England at the moment.

20:15 - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

Come on Raheem, help us out.

20:14 - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

First corner is cleared, Trippier puts in another effort but Lovren gets there before Kane can with a diving header. Close!

20:13 - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

Nice combo from England. Punt down the field is met by the head of Kane, he passes to Sterling who lays off for Lingard - his shot is deflected over for a corner.

20:12 - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

Some poor decisions early in this half from the referee. Two fouls haven't been punished - Walker goes into the book for holding the ball when Croatia wanted to play.

20:08 - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

Mandzukic in the book too, not sure for what though. Wait, he might have been booked instead of Rebic? Very confusing

20:08 - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

As expected, Croatia have started the half the better of the two sides and are seeing a lot of the ball. They'll be wanting an equaliser as soon as they can.

20:05 - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

First card of the game - Ante Rebic is booked for putting his arm high on Kyle Walker.

20:02 - SECOND-HALF - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

We're back underway in Moscow!

19:57 - TRIPPIER STRIKES

Watch it back here, we're a few minutes away from the second-half.

19:52 - BETTING

Having a little scout about - I like the look of potentially backing Raheem Sterling to score in 90 minutes here. He's looking lively and causing some issues for the defence. Sky Bet have him enhanced to 15/2 to strike.

Head here to bet

19:48 - HALF-TIME - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

Half-time whistle goes - England will be pleased with that, some juicy VAR action at the end to there but Croatia don't have a penalty.

Overall, England look good going forward but they'll need to be aware of what Croatia can do in attack - they're a good side with some talented players.

However, tired legs could be a factor - and England will want the counter-attack options.

19:45 - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

England a bit too casual at the back - they put themselves under the pressure and a clearance finds Rakitic - Walker does enough to stop him in the box and Stones clears. Although Croatia now have a free-kick in a crossing position. There's one minute added time.

19:40 - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

Five minutes to go in this one, England have been a threat but Croatia have had chances. The Russian fans in the stadium seem to be supporting the Three Lions.

19:36 - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

Great creativity from England going forward. Kane finds Alli who rolls the ball across the top of the box to Lingard. He tries to place it with time but it ends up going wide. Another big chance there for the Three Lions.

19:32 - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

Down the other end, England have to do some defending and do it well. Croatia do get a shot away outside the area but Pickford handles.

19:30 - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

HOW HAVE ENGLAND NOT SCORED! Lingard plays in Kane, goalkeeper saves low, Kane tries to sneak it in and it hits the post - so, so close!

19:27 - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

Good cross, goalkeeper comes out to deflect the ball away and England have a throw-in.

19:26 - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

More great work from Raheem Sterling. He chases a loose ball and rounds Lovren - who can only bring him down. England have a free-kick in a crossing position...

19:24 - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

Raheem Sterling with a lovely run in the opposition half - he knocks the ball too far forward in the end though and Croatia clear the danger. Entertaining game this.

19:20 - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

Scenes in Leeds when that goal went in...

19:14 - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

Another England corner - Maguire wins the header and knocks it across the face of goal. Nobody gambles though and it's a Croatia goal-kick.

19:12 - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

England have their first corner of the game - the 'love train' makes an appearance but England commit a foul and Croatia have a free-kick.

19:06 - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

Trippier stands over it - smashes the ball over the wall and in! The goalkeeper just stood and watched - that's what England wanted!

19:05 - GOAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL - CROATIA 0-1 ENGLAND

TRIPPIER SMASHES IT IN!!!!

19:04 - CROATIA 0-0 ENGLAND

England have a free-kick in a very dangerous position...

19:02 - CROATIA 0-0 ENGLAND

England in all white, Croatia in all navy here. Croatia's red and white home kit would cause a clash so both sides have had to alter kits in some way.

19:00 - KICK-OFF!

Gareth Southgate, the whole of England is with you.

18:54 - TEAMS ARE OUT

Here we go, it feels real now - England in the semi-final of a World Cup. National anthems on the way before we get going.

18:50 - TEN MINUTES TO GO!

How are we all feeling? Remember you can get in touch with us throughout the game by Tweeting @SportingLifeFC

18:43 - BETTING

Having a little look around for some good bets on this one - Sky Bet have enhanced Harry Kane to score anytime in 90 minutes at 11/8, with another Harry Maguire header available enhanced to 14/1.

Head here to bet

18:35 - Will penalties be required tonight?

They were needed against Colombia, and with 25 minutes to go, this wonderful BBC montage will get the goosebumps going...

18:30 - TEAM NEWS REMINDER

Croatia XI: Subasic, Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic, Modric, Rakitic, Rebic, Brozovic, Perisic, Mandzukic

England XI: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier, Henderson, Lingard, Alli, Young, Sterling, Kane

18:24 BINGO!

Commentary Bingo, to be exact. More of a fun market this one, you can bet on exact words and phrases said by tonight's ITV commentary team.

We have 11 'best 'bets for this one - and you can view our choices here...

18:15 - VOTE!

Is football coming home?!

18:11 - REQUESTABETS

RequestABets more your thing? The Sporting Life team have put together their choices for tonight's huge match.

They range from 14/1 to 250/1! (Mine is Jesse Lingard to score from outside the area, Raheem Sterling 1+ shots on target, over 1.5 goals and 40+ booking points by the way - sounds good doesn't it?)

Head here to see the full range of choices we have.

18:05 - LIVE ODDS

England are 5/4 to secure victory in 90 minutes, with Croatia available at 3/1 and the draw at 19/10.

To make the final? England are 8/13 with Croatia at 5/4

Click here to see the full odds and price boosts.

17:59 - BETTING TIPS

I'm on tipping duty for this one - with two best bets at 15/4 and 9/2.

Head here for the full preview.

17:53 - CROATIA TEAM NEWS

Starting XI: Subasic, Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic, Modric, Rakitic, Rebic, Brozovic, Perisic, Mandzukic

Just the one change here - Brozovic replaces Kramaric.

17:50 - ENGLAND TEAM NEWS

Starting XI: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier, Henderson, Lingard, Alli, Young, Sterling, Kane

England unchanged from the victory over Sweden.

17:48 - Team news will be with us any minute now...

17:45 - Welcome along to the Sporting Life live blog of England's World Cup semi-final clash against Croatia. How are the nerves?!

Odds correct at the time of publishing

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