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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')

Jose Mourinho heaps praise on former Manchester United target Ivan Perisic

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 12 July 2018

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho heaps praise on one-time target Ivan Perisic following his performance for Croatia in the World Cup semi-final against England.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has heaped praise on Croatia winger Ivan Perisic following his performance in the World Cup semi-final against England.

Perisic was one of the star performers as Croatia booked their place in the final for the first time in their history, scoring the first goal and setting up the other as his side ran out 2-1 winners after extra time.

The 29-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United last summer and, while he has since committed his long-term future to Inter Milan, Mourinho remains a fan of the attacker.

"Perisic is the kind of winger that is different to the others. Normally you look at wingers and they are just fast and creative. But he is also physical, very physical. Fantastic in the air," he told RT during his role as a World Cup pundit.

"So the way he wins that ball in the air (for the winning goal) and puts the ball into that space is only possible if you are very, very physical and dominant over defenders. So he was amazing by going there and winning that ball in the air."

Croatia will take on France in the World Cup final on Sunday.