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England and Croatia have both reached the semi-finals of the current World Cup. In a tournament full of surprises where the favourites have underperformed, both sides have produced stylish, resolute football from the group stage all the way to within 180 minutes of lifting the trophy every professional footballer dreams of.
That said, the two nations have met on several occasions without it ever being at a World Cup. Looking at their recent encounters, we find a series of qualifying matches for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, in which England won convincingly — 4–1 in Zagreb and 5–1 at Wembley. A generation in which Modrić, Rakitić and Mandžukić were making names for themselves while running into legends like Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney, Terry and the more media-savvy David Beckham, then in the twilight of his career. That 5–1 was Croatia's worst ever international result, matched only by an identical defeat to Nazi Germany.
Those matches were played in September 2008 and 2009, but before that the two sides had already met in qualifying for Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland. Croatia won both those games, 2–0 and 3–2 respectively.
The match that will weigh most heavily on the memory of England's most passionate supporters, though, was at Euro 2004 in Portugal. Both sides were drawn alongside a powerful France and modest Switzerland. In their opener Croatia drew 0–0 with the Swiss, while England saw Zidane snatch victory away with two injury-time goals. Four days later Croatia drew 2–2 with France, while England opened their account with a commanding 3–0 featuring two Rooney goals and one from Gerrard.
Going into the final group game, France, England and Croatia were all still fighting for position — none certain of a quarter-final place. Everything came down to the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon on 21st June. Croatia lined up as follows: Butina; Kovač, Živković, Tudor, Šimunić, Šimić; Kovač, Rosso, Rapajić; Šokota and Dado Pršo.
Eriksson named this eleven: James; Campbell, Terry, Neville; A. Cole; Scholes, Lampard, Gerrard, Beckham; Rooney. The match began in Croatia's favour with Kovač putting them ahead on five minutes. But with five minutes left Scholes equalised, and Rooney added the clincher. With twenty minutes still to play, another Rooney goal looked to have settled it — until Tudor made it 2–3 to set up a nervy finale. It was Lampard who eventually ended Croatia's tournament and sent England through to the last eight.
Scholes against Croatia, 2004
An effort England couldn't sustain, falling to Portugal on penalties — the hosts who would themselves lose to Greece in the final.
With all this history in mind, we have a remarkable match on our hands: a World Cup semi-final in which Croatia can make history — reaching the final would be their best result since France '98, where they finished third. England, meanwhile, will be hoping to reach a final for the first time since 1966, when they won their World Cup.
Both sides have played confident, consistent football throughout the tournament. It remains to be seen which of the two will be standing 90 minutes from glory. France are already waiting in the final for whichever one makes it through.
Written by David Pineros
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