Russia vs Croatia LIVE World Cup 2018: Penalty shootout goal updates plus how to watch online, TV channel, prediction, teams, line-ups, head-to-head
Follow all the action as hosts Russia take on Croatia for a spot in the semi-final
Luka Modric and Croatia were let off the hook when they beat Denmark in the round of 16 on penalties after the captain had a 116th minute spot kick saved.
Croatia have assembled their best squad since 1998 and stand a great chance of advancing to the semi-final. Russia have been lifting a nation with their inspirational performances as they continue to shock the world by overachieving.
The winner will play England after the Three Lions defeated Sweden in the other quarter-final thanks to goals from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli.
Follow all the latest in the live blog
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When is it?
Russia vs Croatia is on Saturday 7 June and kicks off at 19:00 at Sochi’s Fisht Olympic Stadium.
Where can I watch it?
ITV will be showing live coverage on ITV 1 and online on the ITV Hub.
How did they get here?
Russia shocked the world when they beat Spain on penalties after keeping them at arm’s reach for 120 minutes. Veteran goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was the hero in the shootout and saved Koke and Iago Aspas’ penalties as Russia won 4-3.
Many peoples’ dark horses for the tournament, Croatia are enjoying a good run after topping their group ahead of Argentina. However, their round of 16 win against Denmark was far from straightforward. Martin Jorgensen scored in the first minute for Denmark but Mario Mandzukic quickly levelled the score to set up a nervy and tense game. Luka Modric had a 116th minute penalty saved by Kasper Schmeichel, but Croatia got the better of the Leicester and Denmark goalkeeper in the penalty shootout, winning 3-2.
What is their World Cup history?
This quarter-final stands as Russia’s best ever finish in a World Cup since the Soviet Union finished fourth in 1966.
Croatia reached the quarter-final in 1998 but lost 2-1 to France, since then they have never failed to progress from the group stage.
Head-to-head
These two have played each on three occasions with Croatia never on the losing side. The last time they faced off was back in 2015 with the Croats running out 3-1 winners in an international friendly.
Odds
Russia: 3/1
Croatia: 6/4
Draw (90 minutes): 2/1
Prediction
Russia 1-0 Croatia: They've got this far and while Croatia clearly have the better squad but then so did Spain and look where they are now. I don't know how but somehow, some way they'll do it again.
ET 4 mins: Fernandes tries to take the ball down the right but his touch abandons him, Vrsaljko limps off the pitch, his left leg giving him trouble
ET 7 mins: Lots of players struggling now, Vrsaljko is off and Corluka comes on, you can't help but feel the deeper this goes into extra time, the more it falls into Russia's hands
ET 9 mins: What a chance for Russia, Croatia make a mistake at the back and the ball come to Golovin with Smolov in front of him, Smolov goes down and a penalty is waved away
ET 10 mins: GOAL! RUSSIA 1 - 2 CROATIA - Vida
Modric whips a corner in the Russian box and Vida jumps above everyone else to head the ball into the bottom right-hand corner
ET 13 mins: Russia have a corner of their own, it's delivered into the box and they win a second Dzagoev whips it in again but the Erokhin's header goes wide.
The first half of Extra Time comes to an end, Croatia have a one-goal advantage over the hosts.
15 minutes to go...
ET 15 mins: The second half gets started, Croatia, looking to hold on, Russia trying to get back into the game, who wants it more?
ET 19 mins: Russia whip the ball into the box but it's cleared away and Gazinsky brings down Mandzukic to get a yellow card
ET 20 mins: Modric flicks a free kick into the box but Russia have all their men back to defend, it's headed away and Zobnin, breaks to win a corner for Russia
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