Croatia into World Cup Semis after edging out host Russia on penalty

Croatia have reached the Semi-final of the ongoing FIFA World Cup after knocking out host Russia 4-3 on penalty on Saturday.

The match had ended 2-2 after extra-time and was decided on penalty shootout, with Croatia emerging winner and will now face England in Wednesday’s Semi-final.

Ivan Rakitic struck the crucial spot-kick after Fedor Smolov and Mario Fernandes failed from the spot for Russia to settle a gritty quarter-final in Sochi on Saturday evening.

Denis Cheryshev’s stunner (31) had earned Russia a first-half lead in front of a boisterous home crowd, but that was cancelled out eight minutes later when Andrej Kramaric headed in.

Domagoj Vida (100) headed Croatia in front in extra-time, but Mario Fernandes equalised five minutes from the end to take the game to penalties, but Stanislav Chercheshov’s players were unable to replicate their shootout success over Spain and exit their own tournament at the quarter-final stage, Sky Sports reports.