FIFA World Cup: Croatia beat England 2-1 to set up final date with France

Mario Mandzukic scored the winning goal deep in extra time as Croatia beat England 2-1 in an utterly gripping World Cup semi-final in Moscow on Wednesday.

Croatia's Mario Mandzukic celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the semifinal match between Croatia and England at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, July 11, 2018. | AP 

In Caption: England's Kieran Trippier celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the World Cup semi-final. | (AP) Trippier's magnificent early free-kick had seemingly set England on course to reach their first final since they lifted the trophy on home soil back in 1966.

In Caption: Croatia's Dejan Lovren, left, and England's Harry Kane challenge for the ball. | (AP) Croatia came roaring back in the second half and equalised through Ivan Perisic before somehow finding the energy to win despite being taken to extra time.

In Caption: Croatia's Mario Mandzukic, second right, scores his side's second goal. | (AP) Croatia hung on and it was to their immense credit that they turned the tide after the break in what developed into an epic encounter at the Luzhniki Stadium.

In Caption: Croatia's Ivan Strinic, right, challenges for the ball England's Jesse Lingard, left. | (AP) Having looked so comfortable earlier, England's young side were rattled, and they were lucky not to go behind soon after when Perisic sent a low shot across Jordan Pickford and off the far post.

In Caption: England's Kieran Trippier, up, and Croatia's Ivan Strinic challenge for the ball. | (AP) England had been the ones hoping to make history, in what was their first appearance in the semi-finals in 28 years.

In Caption: England head coach Gareth Southgate, 2nd left, comforts England's Danny Rose, left, after loosing the semifinal match. | (AP) The biggest winners of the night could well be France, who have had an extra day's rest for Sunday's final after edging out Belgium 1-0 on Tuesday.