Supp. Twenty Two 'Its Coming Home?'

When Denis Cheryshev despatched Russia’s first shot on target from open play since their 3-0 loss to Uruguay in the group stages and it flew into the top corner, it would have been criminal to not let a smile find itself onto your face. After 35 minutes of attritional play the Russian’s took the lead against a Croatian side who kept the ball well but ceased to threaten goal on what was yet another warm evening in Sochi.

The game looked as if it was drifting slowly into the half time break but a lone breakaway from Mario Mandzukic which saw him place a ball across the box from the byline into the path of Bundesliga man Andrej Kramaric drew the sides level. Russia had created more chances and the animated Cherchesov was livid.

The second period was more balanced, the Croatian’s looking more than lively - Perisic went close, his effort painfully crawling toward the post and off the inside but chances were sparse in what was proving an end to end affair devoid of end product. As the clock struck 90 and with the score still evenly poised, both sides headed into extra time as what had been a cagey and tight affair drew on. The ensuing 30 minutes looked to be following on in terms of tone with the preceding 90, but six minutes deep centre back Vida converted from a pin-point corner. The Russians refused to back down despite being in a deficit and striker Dzagoev’s set piece was met by Brazilian born fullback Fernandes, who got special dispensation to play for Russia from Putin himself, as headed home completely unmarked in the most dangerous region - unfathomably, the score was at 2-2 and penalties beckoned. After a dodgy start in penalties, Russian goalscorer Fernandes drove his effort wide past the post and Ivan Rakitic capitalised with admirable composure. The dream over for the Russian’s and the against all odds Croatian march toward the final continuing despite the side looking average of late.

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The game of the hour, however, was the 2 o’clock kick off where England, looking to reach their first Semi-Final in 28 years, took on Sweden in Samara. Southgate once again named an untouched 11 spearheaded by Kane, with Sterling retaining his place up front. Sweden did the same, starting with two banks of four and promising to be cautious and defensively solid as they had been throughout Qualifying and at the World Cup Finals. The respective stature of both sides perhaps dented the notion of a Quarter Final being one of the big occasions, but nevertheless both sets of fans delivered in creating a cauldron atmosphere and the English looked to relish this near unprecedented opportunity.

Throughout the opening exchanges England struggled to keep the ball in the manner they had in their preceding fixtures. Sweden were strong and kept the ball through Lindelof and their midfield well but would always suffer from the lack of an out and out goal scorer, and the Southgate-implemented composure saw the English grow into the game quickly. After a few warning shots and an eerie sense of calm about the English, 30 minutes in Ashley Young took a corner from the left hand side which was met by the towering Harry Maguire, who scored his first goal for his national side, reflective of his ever increasing importance to the set up. Raheem Sterling, considered by many to be lucky to have retained his place in the 11 missed several chances but the Three Lions never looked fazed. Their composure was rewarded when Dele Alli headed home a deft Lingard cross from deep, a comfortable 2-0 lead seeing them into the previously unthinkable: a World Cup Semi Final. It was almost haunting to see England so calm and seeing out a World Cup Quarter Final, yes a WORLD CUP QUARTER FINAL in the manner they did - they are set in good stead for the Semi against an unpredictable Croatia.

Jordan Pickford impressed throughout and if it hadn’t been for a string of excellent saves perhaps the picture would have been different but the sense around England is an incredible one. It is no longer difficult to moot the idea of reaching and winning a final, nor do the team feel overhyped. Gareth Southgate has done such a good job with the side and the culture he has fostered is paying dividends - maybe this England team is really the one which will bring it home in the absence of their ‘golden generation’, who watch on in television studios and as pundits. If Southgate had been in charge then and led that group, what may have happened?