2.Croatia looked better side running throughout 120 minutes
Croatia opted for the same 4-1-4-1 system they used in the impressive 3-0 group game win over Argentina, with Marcelo Brozovic sitting behind Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic and allowing the two more creative midfielders to focus on attacking play.
In the tournament, they have changed personnel and formation throughout, as Zlatko Dalic searched for a combination that worked. He seems to have found that in this 4-1-4-1, but the players should take most of the credit for adapting to everything thrown at them in this World Cup, and earning their place in the final.
While they struggled to gain a real foothold on the game early on, the second-half saw Croatia begin to dominate possession. The diminutive pair drift into the gaps between midfield and defence and ran England ragged. Their domination of the ball meant they looked much the fresher side by the time extra-time rolled around.