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England v Croatia: Three key battles in World Cup semi-final
SAINT PETERSBURG, July 10, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Youth faces experience when
England’s young guns and Croatia’s old guard face off in Wednesday’s World
Cup semi-final in Moscow, with the prize of a return trip to the Luzhniki
Stadium for the final.
England have not reached the last four for 28 years and have only once
before reached the final, when they won the World Cup on home soil in 1966.
Croatia have never gone beyond the semis, but after matching the
achievements of their much-revered 1998 side, a richly talented generation’s
luck may have turned in time to land the biggest prize in football.
AFP Sport looks at three key battles that could decide where the game is
won and lost.
Jordan Henderson v Luka Modric
Just over six weeks on from Liverpool’s defeat to Real Madrid in the
Champions League final, Henderson has his chance to exact revenge on Modric
and extend his incredible run of 30 matches without defeat in an England
shirt – the longest unbeaten run for any player in England’s history.
Henderson’s leadership, discipline and distribution as Gareth Southgate’s
deepest-lying midfielder has been key to allowing Jesse Lingard and Dele Alli
to get forward and score goals in Russia.
However, that midfield faces its toughest test yet with Modric in the form
of his life at 32.
Modric has played defence-splitting passes, scored goals and dictated the
rhythm of the game during three man-of-the-match performances in the four
games he has completed at the World Cup.
After a third Champions League success in as many years, Modric has even
been touted as a Ballon d’Or candidate should Croatia go all the way.
Harry Kane v Dejan Lovren
Facing the tournament’s top scorer brings back bad memories for Lovren. The
Liverpool defender was replaced after just half an hour into a 4-1 defeat by
Tottenham in October after being run ragged by Kane.
It was a performance that many believed would end Lovren’s career at
Anfield. But he fought to win back Jurgen Klopp’s confidence at club level
and has marshalled a Croatian defence that shut down Lionel Messi and
Argentina in the group stages.
In total, Kane has scored five times in five meetings with Lovren and will
look to seal the Golden Boot by adding to his six goals already at the World
Cup.
Kieran Trippier v Ivan Perisic
Trippier has been one of the breakout stars of the World Cup. Nicknamed the
“Bury Beckham” for the similarities in the quality of his crossing to the
former England captain, Trippier is rivalling Neymar and Kevin De Bruyne for
creating the greatest number of chances at the tournament so far.
Southgate’s 3-5-2 system with another natural right-back, Kyle Walker, in
the back three has allowed Trippier to get forward at every opportunity. But
his defensive capabilities will be examined up against Perisic.
The Inter Milan winger has scored five times in his past 11 appearances at
major international tournaments and is the one player in the Croatian attack
with the pace to stretch the England defense.
BSS/AFP/SG/ARS/1758 hrs