England have enjoyed a fairly straightforward route to the World Cup semi-finals but will momentum prevail? Or will Croatia put an end to the choruses of Football’s Coming Home ringing out around the country?
Wednesday’s game presents the Three Lions’ first real test of the tournament, with England’s group stage defeat to an impressive-looking Belgium side a mere formality, which saw several key players rested after both sides qualified from the group stage.
But have we been too quick to dismiss Luka Modric and co? Here’s what you need to know about the Croatia football team.
1. Rakitic and Modric
The El Clasico midfield pairing is definitely one to be feared as they form the spine of a side that will be looking to hurt England with technique, rather than just conservatism or pure aggression on the pitch.
Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic and Real Madrid’s Luka Modric have become key players for their clubs and the same is to be said when it comes to Croatia, with the duo pulling strings and becoming a real creative force from the centre of the pitch.
Despite Croatia being vulnerable to being exposed at the back at times – which we have seen during the knockout games – the quality brought by these two should not be dismissed.
2. They topped their group and thrashed Argentina
During the group stage of this year’s tournament, Croatia secured all nine points up for grabs and did so in style, with a 3-0 humiliaiton of Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
They scored the most goals in their group – seven in total – and conceded just a single goal as they saw off Nigeria and Iceland too.
Even though Croatia have a FIFA world ranking of 20 – below England who are placed at 12 – they had a better run in the group stage in an arguably tougher group.
3. Croatia have struggled in the knockout rounds
Zlatko Dalic’s men have got to the semi-finals after twice failing to win within 90 minutes of play and extra time in their round of 16 tie against Denmark and their quarter-final game with Russia.
They drew 1-1 with Denmark and 2-2 with Russia after a dramatic period of extra time before keeping their cool to win on penalties on both occasions.
Back to back games with extra time mean fatigue could set in for the Croatia players with the team playing an extra 30 minutes more football than England.
Goalkeeper Danijel Subasic required treatment towards the end of 90 minutes with Russia for a suspected hamstring problem but was able to continue playing for the rest of the game.
4. They’ve taken more shots at goal but England have had more on target
Croatia have taken 77 shots at goal so far this World Cup and 18 of them have been on target. England have had 68 shots at goal but 21 of them have been on target.
When it comes to possession, Croatia edges England with an average of 55.9%, compared with the Three Lions’ 55.1%.
However, England have scored a total of 11 goals – one more than their upcoming opponent – and have a better passing accuracy at 85.3% as to Croatia’s 81%.
5. Croatia was formed the same year England was last in a World Cup semi-final
The modern Croatia team first played in 1990 and was first admitted to FIFA in 1992, with players from the region previously playing for Yugoslavia.
Croatia’s obsession with the beautiful game dates back to the end of the 19th century when English industrialists built factories in the country, employed local people and brought football with them.
The modern team’s first tournament was Euro 1996. They made a swift rise in the footballing ranks as they finished third at the World Cup in 1998, during which Croatian striker Davor Suker finished top scorer.
They have only failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship in 2000.
6. They may want to get their own back
Croatia have only beaten England twice in the past seven encounters between the two teams. England won four and the two sides drew on one occasion.
The last time they played, in a 2009 World Cup qualifier, England won 5-1 and before that, in 2008 in another qualifying game, England won 4-1.
Suker, now president of the national football federation, played down any hidden rivalry ahead of the game, saying this match was “not revenge, it’s football” and that he thought this England side was “very strong”.
The comments come after Croatia left a bitter taste in England’s mouth after they beat the Three Lions 3-2 in 2007, meaning they would not qualify for Euro 2008.