Croatia defender Sime Vrsaljko has insisted that England were found out in their meeting in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup on Wednesday night.

The Three Lions overcame Colombia and Sweden in the first two knockout rounds of this summer's competition to ensure that they would make the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time in 28 years.

Gareth Southgate's side suffered a 2-1 defeat to Croatia in their last-four clash on Wednesday, however, with Mario Mandzukic winning it for his nation in the extra-time period.

Vrsaljko, who passed a late fitness test to play in Moscow, has insisted that England reverted to their old tactics of "punting long balls" when Croatia turned the screw in the second half.

"The all-round perception was that this is a new-look England who have changed their ways of punting long balls upfield but when we pressed them it turned out that they haven't," Vrsaljko told reporters.

Croatia will face France - 1-0 winners over Belgium on Tuesday night - in Sunday's World Cup final.

Written by
Matt Law