Russia vs Croatia: 5 things we learned

Russia and Croatia faced off in an all-Eastern European clash at Olimpiyskiy Stadion Fisht on Saturday, and after a protracted battle, it was the Vatreni who ultimately prevailed.

However, just as Russia proved against Spain, the hosts are not just here to make a cameo appearance. They are playing for national pride, and with the vociferous crowd behind them, the lowest-ranked side put on a brave fight. Unfortunately, it was not enough to go the distance, but the players certainly can go out with their heads held up high.

Ahead of Croatia’s showdown with England, here are five takeaways from their narrow win over Russia.

1. Russia has exceeded expectations…and then some

Russia’s success at this summer’s tournament wasn’t expected, especially for a team ranked 70th in the world at the time it kicked off. However, the hosts have put on an excellent show – and not just from the team’s performance. Many feared that there would be an outbreak of racist incidents and general hooliganism, but most reports that this tournament has been a largely smoothly-running affair. Much of the trouble hasn’t been caused by fans but rather some players, with Croatia and Switzerland being among those seeing players in hot water due to politically charged statements.

This gives hope to any other minnow perhaps who will serve as hosts, with Qatar set to host it in four years time. That will be the small nation’s debut, and certainly it will be hoping to put on a great show, both off and on the pitch.

2. Croatia continues to make history…

Prior to the Vatreni’s win in this weekend’s shoot-out, only one team had managed to win two penalty battles at a single World Cup. That was Argentina back in 1990 when La Albiceleste beat both Italy and the former Yugoslavia. In addition, Croatia has now finally beaten a host nation at a World Cup after suffering defeats to France in 1998 and Brazil in 2014.

3. …but it comes at a steep price

Croatia may have prevailed over Russia, but it comes at a steep price. The team’s first choice shot-stopper, Danijel Subasic suffered what appeared to be a hamstring injury and faces a race against time to be fit. Meanwhile, defender Sime Vrsaljko hobbled off injured and was replaced by Vedran Corluka late on in the game, and along with Subasic are doubts for the team’s crunch clash against England in the semi-finals.

4. Mario Mandzukic continues to quietly impress

The 32-year-old isn’t setting the pitch alight with goals galore – he only has one to date – but his work-rate and sacrifice for his team’s effort can’t be disputed. Juventus fans are well aware of this, of course, where he was converted into a winger to accommodate Gonzalo Higuain through the middle. His goal rate predictably plummeted, but that doesn’t seem to matter much to the lanky striker, as he has chipped in time and time again on the defensive end, whilst providing a decent amount of assists.

It was Mandzukic’s assist to Andrej Kramaric that gave the Vatreni the equalizer the team needed and push the match into extra time, and he scored the equalizer against Denmark to again push that fixture to eventual penalties. Whilst he hasn’t stepped up to take a spot-kick of his own – rather leaving it to other teammates – he’s been an invaluable member of Dalic’s squad and is certainly to be a protagonist again against England.

5. Mario Fernandes makes a name for himself

The Brazilian-born defender has had his fair share of ups and downs on a personal level as well as professionally. Fernandes has admitted to suffering from anxiety and depression during his time in Brazil but seems to have settled into his new homeland despite not speaking very much Russian nor knowing the words to the national anthem.

He became a hero with his late goal in extra time, but was unfortunately able to replicate those heroics as he missed his spot-kick by a mile, which gave Croatia the advantage it needed and Russia was sent packing. Some may say he went from hero to zero in that instant, but that may be too harsh. One thing is certain, however: people in his adopted homeland won’t be forgetting his name in a hurry.