FIFA World Cup: Three Lions Advance To Semifinals For First Time Since 1990; Croatia Knocks Out Russia In PK Shootout, Advances To First Semis Since '98

Two games were contested on Saturday in Russia as the quarterfinal round of the FIFA World Cup came to a conclusion.


At Samara:

Harry Maguire (30') and Dele Alli (59', shown here) each scored once as England blanked Sweden 2-0 to advance to the World Cup semifinal round for the first time since 1990 (and the first time in a major tournament since the 1996 European Championships).


Associated Press photo by Frank Augstein






At Sochi:

After each team scored once in regulation and again in overtime (making it 2-2 after 120 minutes), Marcelo Brozovic, Luka Modric, Domagoj Vida, and Ivan Rakitic each converted a spot kick as Croatia won the penalty-kick shootout 4-3 over host nation Russia in the final match to be played in the tournament outside of Moscow and Saint Petersburg.  The Croatians (celebrating after their victory, as seen here) advanced to the semifinal round for the first time since 1998.


Photo from FIFA.com website






On Wednesday, Croatia and England will face off at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow (11:00 AM Pacific Time), with the winner advancing to next Sunday's championship match against the winner of the Tuesday France-Belgium contest.