World Cup 2018: Top 5 matches so far

Modified Jul 14, 2018 06:29 GMT

#4 Croatia 2-2 Russia (6-5 after penalty shootout)

The mighty Croats met the hosts in an absorbing, high-intensity quarterfinal match in Moscow which had all the qualities of an edge-of-the-seat thriller. Russia were very defensive in their second-round victory over Spain and one expected a repeat of the ultra-defensive strategy against Croatia too.

To everyone’s surprise, Russia were much livelier in attack against Croatia. They took the lead through Denis Cherysev’s 25-yard scorcher in the first half. Croatia came back hard at them and Mario Mandzukic ran into the penalty box from the midfield before delivering a wonderful cross to Andrej Kramaric, who finished brilliantly.

The second half was even more intense as the teams exchanged blows but the elusive goal did not come. In the extra-time, Domagoj Vida put Croatia ahead with a stunning header from a corner. Croatia seemed to be cruising towards a hard-earned win but Mario Fernandes had other ideas.

Russia won a free-kick just outside the Croatian penalty box and Fernandes nodded home the equalizer in the 113th minute to take the match into the penalties. Russia lost in the shootout but the spectators were treated with wonderful entertainment.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Zeeshan Ali