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.
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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.
Russia 1 - 2 Croatia
Modric scores, Akinfeev gets his hands to it but it hits one post and lands in the net via other
What an end to the game, Croatia were cool throughout the penalties but now it's official England vs Croatia in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday
Rakitic with the winning penalty!
That's it we have our semi-finals: France vs Belgium on Tuesday and Croatia vs England on Wednesday.
I still can't believe it!
Stay with us here at The Independent where we'll have all the up to date news from Russia from now until then and...
Join us again on Tuesday when we'll be covering all the match action as France take on the Belgians.
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