MOSCOW -- Three quick thoughts from Croatia's 2-1 extra-time win over England in the World Cup semifinals at Luzhniki Stadium on Wednesday.
1. Tireless Croatia thrive in extra time
Croatia will face France in their first World Cup final on Sunday after overturning a 1-0 deficit to beat England 2-1 after extra time in the semifinal in Moscow. Goals by Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic, following Kieran Trippier's fifth-minute opener, booked Croatia's place in the final for a repeat of the 1998 semifinal against the French.
But while Croatia's superior quality and command of the ball told in the Luzhniki Stadium, their remarkable levels of energy were also key, with this game the third time they have been forced to negotiate extra time in Russia.