Croatia seemed nervous at the back from get-go with Luka Modric giving away a free kick from a dangerous area early on.
It allowed England to get off the perfect start as Kieran Trippier’s free kick curled away from the goal keeper and into the top corner.
It had only been five minutes but a fatigued Croatian side were chasing the game.
England could have put them away in the first half via two clear-cut chances from Harry Kane and Jesse Lingard.
But neither man was able to put the ball into the net from positions where they really should have scored – especially Kane who was through on goal.
England rued those early chances as Croatia dominated the second half.
They got the goal they deserved, Sime Vrsaljko’s ball into the box found Ivan Perisic who directed the ball into the net with his boot.
Perisic nearly put his ahead but his shot hit the inside off the post.
Neither side could find a breakthrough and the game went to extra-time.
It was in the second period of extra-time that there was a breakthrough, with Mario Mandzukic pouncing on Perisic’s header over the English defence to put the Croats up with just minutes remaining.
It was enough to put them over the line as Croatia booked a final spot against France.
Full time
*Extra-time
Croatia* 1 (2)
England 1 (1)
Croatia and England face-off in the second semi-final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, with the winner advancing to the final to take on France. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 4am (AEST).
After an impressive run in the group stage, including a 3-nil win over Argentina, Croatia have slowed down considerably.
Their two knockout games, against Denmark and Russia, both ended via penalty shootout.
Having played more than 240 minutes of football in two games, taking on a fit English side will be big ask. They’ve also just sacked coaching assistant Ognjen Vukojevic for a political chant over social media.
Key man Luka Modric has played well for his side but he’s going to need his teammates to step up.
England’s only loss thus far this tournament came in the group stages, against Belgium, but both nations were playing weaker teams as they had already qualified for the knockout phase.
However you can only beat the opponent that’s in front of you and England have been doing precisely that.
A shootout win over Colombia in the Round of 16, followed by a 2-nil win over Sweden in the quarters showed that the Three Lions can win under pressure and also beat teams professionally.
Harry Kane leads the World Cup goal tally, with six, and it’s increasingly looking like he will win the Golden Boot.
Prediction
Croatia are having internal problems, have issues at home, and have played a lot more minutes of football.
If a fit England side take the game to the Croats, they should book a spot in the finals.
Croatia 0-1 England
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 4am (AEST).
anon
Roar Pro
Your country did well for a footballing minnow. Half an hour from a World Cup Final but they lost their bottle.
Kurt
Guest
As I said, weak as p*as. Big man until confronted then backs away. Same as always Anon.
anon
Roar Pro
'Ave it, son Just a bit of friendly banter.
Kurt
Guest
Weak as p*ss. Nothing from you until after the final whistle, that's not banter that's just being a gutless little child. no doubt you'll be claiming you predicted the result next. Seriously, this whole site would be better without your nasty little presence, go away.
TB
Guest
Great effort by Gareth Southgate as Manager to get the National team into the semi-finals. When the emotion subsides Gareth will realise that the National Team still needs plenty of work to do to match it with the big guns. The real challenges England faced at Russia were against Belgium and Croatia and they failed at both attempts. Beating lesser ranked nations from South America and Africa were expected. It's the big boys they need to beat. Their world ranking will rise as will their expectations but until such time they get a major scalp, they won't really have proved anything.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
It’s handy to be able to score from open play. Well done Croatia.
anon
Roar Pro
People complain about the number of foreigners in the EPL, but watching the English team it makes sense.
anon
Roar Pro
Just some friendly banter, matey. England will learn from this experience. Lick their wounds for four years. Harry Kane might be the next Ronaldo in four years time. He didn't rise to the occasion. Largely anonymous. I've heard a lot of hype about him the last few weeks but bottled it tonight. Still young. Always a chance to be the next Ronaldo. England probably won't get such a favourable draw next time. Planets aligned this campaign, but they couldn't take advantage of it when it counted unfortunately (for England supporters).
anon
Roar Pro
You'll get 'em next time, champ. The reality in this campaign is that Colombia choked in the shootout, England had an easy group stage. Shouldn't have got passed the round of 16 really. To go up 1-0 and then blow it. You have to call it a choke. Had one shot on target all game. England got nervous, parked the bus, blew up in their face. Well done to the Croats.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Really good comeback by Croatia, deserved winners England lack the creativity ball player still , but an excellent tournament .
lunchboxexpert
Guest
Will be interesting to see how England v Belgium game goes. This was one of the main games I was looking forward to in the group stages that didn't really eventuate.
Kurt
Guest
Nope, completely wrong. English supporters are thrilled at the performance of this team and this loss to a better more experienced team won't change that.
Kurt
Guest
W*nker
Kurt
Guest
Good to see your profound ignorance of AFL is matched by your cluelessness of soccer too. England came to the WC with a young inexperienced squad and exceeded the nation's hopes and expectations. And in the end they were beaten by a better team. Good luck to Croatia in the final.
anon
Roar Pro
The English football team is coming home. First flight out of Moscow hehehe
anon
Roar Pro
Our Harry didn't have the bottle eh
anon
Roar Pro
Hahahaha classic England. There's something about Croatians and the Balkans people. There's such a mental strength, toughness and pride about them. They had to sacrifice blood in recent history just to exist today. It shows.
P.Marlowe
Guest
A bit similar to the Colombia game, England sort of stopped playing from about the 50 minute mark. Barely got away with it in that game. Lack of midfielders who could put their foot on the ball was the difference.
lunchboxexpert
Guest
One more step Croatia. Well done to England on a great world cup campaign and a gallant effort in this semi final, you performed above expectation.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you to everyone who joined The Roar for this live blog, we look forward to seeing you all again soon!