Croatia advanced to their first-ever World Cup final subsequent to defeating England 2-1 in extra-time on Wednesday evening.

Gareth Southgate named unchanged Three Lions side from the one that defeated Sweden in the quarter-finals, while Sime Vrsaljko passed a late fitness test for Croatia after picking up a knock in their last-eight win over host nation Russia.

England began the week strong when Trippier curled home a superb free-kick from the edge of the box to hand his side the lead after five minutes.

Croatian struggled to manage their attacking game, with the trio of Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, and Ivan Perisic failing to make an impact early on.

Southgate’s men benefited most of the possession for the remainder of the half, although they were unable to carve another clear opening, despite the threat of Raheem Sterling.

The pressure eventually paid off for the Croatians in the 68th minute as Ivan Perisic nipped in ahead of Kyle Walker to flick home from just six yards out, leaving Jordan Pickford no chance.

Perisic almost sent Croatia ahead three minutes later as he raced in a winding path into the box, but his left-footed strike crashed against the upright, while Rebic scuffed the rebound straight to a grateful Pickford.

With neither side able to find another breakthrough before full-time, the clash was forced into extra-time, for a third successive game for Croatia.

John Stones nearly gave the English a lead eight minutes into extra time with a header inside the box but his effort was cleared off the line by Sime Vrsaljiko.

However, Pickford could do nothing to keep out Mandzukicclose-range strike 11 minutes before time, which ultimately handed Croatia the win, resulting in Croatia booking their first-ever in a World Cup final, where they will face France on Sunday.