Croatia 2 England 1

WE ARE IN THE FINALS!!!

![Brazil_and_Croatia_match_at_the_FIFA_World_Cup_2014-06-12_(50).jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQma32w1ajJoxkg3q95XgMvYYvTvsq7CdNbpDUKDHUtdRi8/Brazil_and_Croatia_match_at_the_FIFA_World_Cup_2014-06-12_(50).jpg) ^{Source: Wikipedia}

I'm so happy. This is our best result on world cups ever. Sure, we are a pretty young country. We exist for only 27 years.

![2000px-Flag_of_Croatia.svg.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRiVR1vjNAXXedyEHcBn5tERdEPjbsY59gaJ962JxiXKU/2000px-Flag_of_Croatia.svg.png) ^{Source: Wikimedia commons}

In 1998, we were 3rd after France and Brazil. This time, it's different. We're in the finals. We managed to beat England, and I'm really happy it had to be England. Congratulations to our guys! They fought bravely to get where they are. They played with "heart".

We didn't have a good start. Like usual, lol. England managed to score a goal in the 5th minute. Goalscorer was Trippier. He scored a beauty from the free-kick.

![Kieran_Trippier_2018-06-13_1.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRfVtLTScGcZncuQDnsJ9HdenczkgpC7vNMjquG22tyfe/Kieran_Trippier_2018-06-13_1.jpg) ^{Source: Wikimedia commons}

After that, England had 2 more great chances to score atleast one more. They could've burried us. Especially Kane with the great chance he had.

![Harry_Kane_(24685589756).jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmP9fWpW3hbj716wEgWXm2GHB5CfKq3QQT5eyg4tWGDk5R/Harry_Kane_(24685589756).jpg) ^{Source: flickr}

But, everything changed in the second half. We started off with passion and will to win the game. We were losing 1-0 for the 3rd game in a row. And we managed to come back in every one of that. That just shows our passion and will to make a comeback after conceding a goal. We scored our 1st goal in the 68th minute.

![Šime_Vrsaljko_2015.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmcJaPyvn82ozjbUGLoknhkyVRKXTwgetubZB5oZM6Qm4j/%C5%A0ime_Vrsaljko_2015.jpg) ^{Source: Wikimedia commons}

Vrsaljko sent the goal in the goalkeeper's area and Perisic scored a goal with the foot.

![Perišić_(Croatia)_vs_Cedric_(Portugal)_-_2016.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmTzTuuZsxrbgh4oXECLv8Y8juMB4Cz9KUb8kpgfWffoKG/Peri%C5%A1i%C4%87_(Croatia)_vs_Cedric_(Portugal)_-_2016.jpg) ^{Source: Wikimedia commons}

Stones and Maguire won every header before that. That was basically the first mistake they made in the game. After that goal, it started going downhill for the England. We started pushing them hard. Few minutes later, Perisic was so close to scoring another goal. He hit the hitbar. I thought that the ball went in. But it got to Rebic.

![Ante_Rebić.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmaRYNp9wt9sVSzVKKyNED518UDoKmDXMebY1JLjPxjtFK/Ante_Rebi%C4%87.jpg) ^{Source: Wikimedia commons}

If he didn't react so fast, he would have probably scored it. But, he shot directly into the Pickford.

![Jordan_Pickford_2018.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmaBcxq2qmg62qVuugThVcHCbpXCBBY12HcMbc5DxeSGrV/Jordan_Pickford_2018.jpg) ^{Source: Wikimedia commons}

We could've turned the situation in our favour in just 5 minutes. But we didn't. We had few more chances, but we didn't score the goal. It was time for overtimes. And then, the magic happened. Mandzukic scored a goal for the win in the 110th minute of the game.

![Mario_Mandžukić_2018.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmSbetkxJGb4pG4Yttgoq9dygbempvDzn3HrhjGjCgZZ9D/Mario_Mand%C5%BEuki%C4%87_2018.jpg) ^{Source: Wikimedia commons}

England's defence made a mistake, and Mandzo turned it into the goal. After that, we actually had few more chances to score. England had to open, and they got sloppy. Too bad we didn't score another goal. But, it's okay. WE ARE IN THE FINALS.

Statistically, we were a lot better team. But what it doesn't show you, is that England actually had great chances to score. They could've turned it into a goal. But, they didn't. And our guys managed to take those gifts and win the match in the end. I would like to congratulate them for that. And ofcourse, wish them good luck against France in the finals. GOOD LUCK IN THE FINALS !!!