World Cup 2018: 4 things Croatia could do to beat England in the semifinal

#4 Defending well in the set-pieces

Domagoj Vida

England would pose a constant threat from the set-pieces and the Croatian defenders would have to get their act together. Both Domagoj Vida and Dejan Lovren have been excellent and at the centre of Croatia’s defence but they cannot afford to concede a soft goal from the set-pieces like they did against Russia.

England scored from a corner against Sweden and earned a penalty against Colombia from another. Therefore, they would definitely like to repeat the act against Croatia. They have players like Harry Maguire, Harry Kane and John Stones who would pose a constant aerial threat. Ashley Young and Trippier’s crosses have been outstanding as well and England would definitely fancy their chances of scoring from one of those. Croatia could use the considerable physical presence of somebody like Mandzukic while defending the aerial balls in set-pieces.