Big Match Breakdown: Croatia v England

Odds, tips and preview for World Cup semi-final

A nation will hold its collective breath later tonight as England take on Croatia in their first World Cup semi-final since 1990.

The Three Lions are bidding to make a first tournament final since winning the Jules Rimet Trophy on home soil in 1966. Zlatko Dalic and Croatia stand in their way after coming through two penalty shootouts against Denmark and Russia to reach this stage.

England beat Colombia and Sweden to reach the semis. Can they complete the mission to Moscow against Luke Modric and co? The Coral News Team look ahead to the game with a Big Match Breakdown.

Head-to-Head

The two nations have never met at a World Cup. But they do have history at the European Championships. England triumphed 4-2 in 2004 with goals from Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard and a Wayne Rooney brace sealing an impressive group stage win.

A brace apiece from Lampard and Steven Gerrard helped the Three Lions to a 5-1 success the last time the countries met in 2009. Yet it’s Croatia’s 3-2 Wembley triumph in 2007 that is best remembered as the defining fixture between the two sides, and one of the darkest days in the national team’s history.

Likely XIs

Gareth Southgate is expected to name an unchanged side from the one which comfortably saw off Sweden at the weekend. Midfield pivot Jordan Henderson is the only possible doubt. Should he miss out, Eric Dier would be the obvious replacement.

Valtreni will be without right-back Sime Vrsaljko through injury, which means ex-Tottenham Hotspur man Vedran Corluka will make his second start of the tournament. Marcelo Brozovic could replace Andrej Kramaric to allow Modric to play further forward.