Quarterfinal Recaps: England Breeze By Sweden, Croatia Overcome Hosts in PKs

The last two semi-final spots were decided yesterday from the winners of the later two quarterfinal games. First up was the match between England and Sweden. In the 29th minute, an Ashley Young cross into the box led Swedish defender Andreas Granqvist to clear out for a corner. The resulting play led to a Harry Maguire goal, headed in from Young's corner to give England the lead. Raheem Sterling broke through the Swedish defense a number of times in the first half, most notably the 45th, when his shot was blocked by Swedish keeper Robin Olsen, before his next attempt was deflected over the bar. In the 47th, Ludwig Augustinsson crossed for Marcus Berg, whose close range header was stopped by England's keeper Jordan Pickford, whose dive caused the block to prevent the potential equalizer. Jesse Lingard led to England's 2nd goal in the 59th, as Dele Alli nodded the ball to make it 2-0. Sweden almost made it 2-1 in the 62nd, but Pickford dove to make a great stop on Viktor Claesson's attempt before it was cleared away. And 10 minutes later, Pickford was called into action again, tipping over Berg's close volley. England move on to the semis with the result, eliminating Sweden.

Russia played Croatia for the final spot in the semi-finals. In the 31st, Denis Cheryshev and Artem Dzyuba played one-two to get past Croatian mid Luka Modric, and Cheryshev curled his long range blast inside the near post to give the hosts the early lead. Eight minutes later, it was 1-1 as Mario Mandzukic crossed in a ball near the goal line for Andrej Kamaric, whose header beat Russian keeper Igor Akinfeev. In the 60th minute, Akinfeev misread a cross, and Ivan Perisic attempt soon after hit the woodwork and back out into play. Entering extra time, Croatia thought they found their winner in the 101st, Domagoj Vida headed in a ball from a Luka Modric corner kick, and the headed ball got past two defenders and into the inside netting on the right, leaving Akinfeev with no chance to stop it. However, Russia leveled in the 115th, an Alan Dzagoev free kick meeting with Mario Fernandes' head, and this ball went far post and top corner to make the score tied again. In penalties, Croatian keeper Danijel Subasic stopped Fyodor Smolov's chip, as Russia went first. Marcelo Brozovic and Dzagoev converted their PKs, before Akinfeev denied Mateo Kovacic's strike. Fernandes had his blast just wide of the right post, and Modric had his attempt hit both post before going in. The next 3 penalties went in without a problem, leading Ivan Ratikic to seal the win, in which he did, fooling Akinfeev and shooting into an empty net. Croatia will play England for a spot in the finals on Wednesday.

The Croatian team celebrates as Akinfeev (left) sits in despair after failing to stop the winning kick.