Croatia players celebrate their qualification to the semis
The ongoing Fifa World Cup has delivered classic after classic. Saturday's thriller between hosts Russia and 1998 bronze medalists Croatia was one of them.
At the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia's Cinderella run at the championship tumbled by a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to their European counterparts in the quarterfinals.
The match had ended 2-2 after extra-time after Mario Fernandes' late equalizer for Sbornaya.
Former Real Madrid man Denis Cheryshev put the hosts in front in the 31st minute before Hoffenheim striker Andrej Kramaric restored parity eight minutes later.
With no further goals in the second half, the match was forced into extra-time, where Domagoj Vida put the visitors in front after 10 minutes.
At that point, Zlatko Dalic's side looked headed for the last four, before Fernandes headed home the leveller.
In the shootout, Mateo Kovacic missed his kick for Croatia, but two misses by Russia's Fedor Smolov and Fernandes handed The Blazers passage to the semis where England await.
Here are some Ghanaian reactions on the game from social media.
This Russian team is the true definition of never say never. What a #WorldCup????????????????????????#JDworldcup
— JOSELYN DUMAS® (@Joselyn_Dumas) July 7, 2018
Croatia, this is love from Ghana, make it count ! @lukamodric10 pic.twitter.com/Qurd1OnQC6
— The Sugarman ???????? (@foster_aggor) July 7, 2018
Good work Russia,What amazing hosts you have been and amazing performance in the tournament #WorldCup
— caledpee (@france_pobee) July 7, 2018
Every fairy tale has an end!
— Junior ????????® (@kmtakyi) July 7, 2018
Russia did their best but it was not enough. Croatia Vs It's coming home FC!
Croatia ???????? all the way #WorldCup
— Adjei Godfred (@AdjeiGodfred15) July 7, 2018
