A Good Half Is Not Enough for England (1) against the better Croatia (2)

A Good Half Is Not Enough for England (1) against the better Croatia (2)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzaY0SjO6mM&feature=onebox

A classic header from a corner was not enough for England for more than a half. In the first half England appeared to be loose and motivated. Croatia, by contrast, appeared tight and could not find its stride which is almost solely dependent on Modric. He was not as involved and impactful until the second half. In that second half Croatia asserted its superiority in terms of quality and style to dominate and not only tie the match but coming within an inch away of scoring again in the 70th minute when a Persic strike bounced off the inside of the English post. England moral sagged after the tying goal and was lucky to make it through to overtime. Harry Kane may win the Golden Boot for scoring the most goals at this World Cup but his performance (except for a few dives) was disappointing in almost all of England’s matches. Once again, the preference of Sterling over Rashford must come into question as Sterling lacks the capability to score. For the longest time Croatia attempted, unsuccessfully to engage England in an aerial battle. Only when Croatia reverted to its more natural ground game switching play from side to side did it get into the ascendancy. England may have lost the chance to make it all the way but in the process discovered a star in the incredibly courageous and technically sound young Pickford. A France – Croatia final is probably a just if unpredictable outcome seeing how the football giants (Brazil, Germany and Argentina) have fallen by the way side. Regardless of the result of the final, Luca Modric is my man of the World Cup who is only getting better at age 32.