World Cup

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Attendance: 78,011

World Cup | Semi-Finals

Jul 11, 2018 at 7pm UK

Croatia
2-1
England

Perisic (68'), Mandzukic (109')

FT
(aet)

Trippier (5')

Mario Mandzukic: 'Semi-final against England is 50-50'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter

Published: July 10 2018 | 16:41

Last updated: July 12 2018 | 21:48

Mario Mandzukic believes that Croatia have the perfect blend of experience and youth, which he hopes is enough to help his side past England.

Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic has admitted that Wednesday evening's World Cup semi-final against England is too tough to call.

Both teams have exceeded expectations by making it to the last four in Russia and are now just one match away from the showpiece final.

England are competing at this stage for only the third time in their history, and a first in 28 years, while Croatia's best finish was in 1998 when coming third.

Mandzukic believes that his side's current crop of players have a nice blend of experience and youth, but is unsure whether it will be enough to get them past the Three Lions in Moscow.

"Croatia, maybe, have several more experienced players but we also have great young players. That is what makes us good," he told reporters.

"I would say the chances in the game are 50/50 because everyone deserves to be the in semi-final. There is no fear from our side, we respect everybody; however, we believe in ourselves."

England have won four, lost two and drawn one of the eight previous meetings between the two sides.