5. Sterling’s run gave Croatia problems:
So often singled out for criticism, much of it unfair, Raheem Sterling had genuine claims to be considered England’s best player in the first half. Sterling has often darted into little holes during this tournament, his quick footwork allowing space for others to prosper.
Last night he was at it again, pulling Croatia’s creaking defence all over the pitch. But for some over-enthusiastic through balls from the likes of Jordan Henderson and Dele Alli he may well have had a better chance to notch his first goal of the tournament and shut his critics up once and for all.
But this time he operated further forward, even beyond Harry Kane a lot of the time, as England sought to utilise his pace and unsettle centre-backs Dejan Lovren and Domagoj Vida. The tactic worked a treat as he stretched the play, but England’s loss of control after the restart saw Sterling starved of service and sacrificed.