Live updates as Croatia and England meet at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow with a place in the World Cup final at stake. We'll be brining you all the action and reaction as it happens.
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11 July 2018
17:57 GMT
The anthems are done, the players have shaken hands, we're moments from kick-off in the second World Cup semi-final...
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17:50 GMT
Just under 10 minutes to go until kick-off at Luzhniki, the fans are in full voice.
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17:43 GMT
ROUTE TO THE FINAL FOUR – ENGLAND
England came out of their group with to wins from three games, suffering a 1-0 defeat to Belgium in their final group match in which manager Gareth Southgate fielded a much-changed team.
They overcame Colombia in a penalty shootout in the last 16 after the scores finished level at 1-1 following extra-time – the Three Lions’ first-ever shootout win at a World Cup.
Things were more comfortable in the quarter-finals, as they beat Sweden 2-0 thanks to headed goals from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli.
England have scored 11 goals in five games in Russia – eight of which have come from set pieces.
Striker Harry Kane leads the race for the Golden Boot on six strikes, three of which have been penalties. Southgate’s men have conceded four goals on their route to the last four.
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17:40 GMT
ROUTE TO THE FINAL FOUR – CROATIA
Croatia are unbeaten at Russia 2018 with three wins and two draws from their five games.
They emerged from both of their knockout games on penalties – beating Denmark in the last 16 and Russia in the quarter-finals. They’re only the second team to win two shootouts at the same World Cup, after Argentina did the same at Italia ’90.
The Croatians emerged from their group with a perfect three wins from three, including a 3-0 demolition of Lionel Messi and Argentina.
They’ve scored 10 goals in Russia, conceding four.
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17:36 GMT
LUZHNIKI
The atmosphere at Luzhniki Stadium is building ahead of the game, and RT Sport's Danny Armstrong recently tweeted these scenes of fans arriving.
For scenes of the fans taking over the center of Moscow earlier in the day, check out our story here. The number of England fans in particular was noticeably up on the sparser showing earlier in the tournament.
It's 'Football’s coming home' v 'England's coming home' #WorldCup #Russia2018 #CROENG #ThreeLions #CRO #ENG
on.rt.com/99uq 
- 11 July 201817:57 GMTThe anthems are done, the players have shaken hands, we're moments from kick-off in the second World Cup semi-final...
- 17:50 GMTJust under 10 minutes to go until kick-off at Luzhniki, the fans are in full voice.
- 17:43 GMTROUTE TO THE FINAL FOUR – ENGLANDEngland came out of their group with to wins from three games, suffering a 1-0 defeat to Belgium in their final group match in which manager Gareth Southgate fielded a much-changed team.They overcame Colombia in a penalty shootout in the last 16 after the scores finished level at 1-1 following extra-time – the Three Lions’ first-ever shootout win at a World Cup.Things were more comfortable in the quarter-finals, as they beat Sweden 2-0 thanks to headed goals from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli.
England have scored 11 goals in five games in Russia – eight of which have come from set pieces.Striker Harry Kane leads the race for the Golden Boot on six strikes, three of which have been penalties. Southgate’s men have conceded four goals on their route to the last four.
- 17:40 GMTROUTE TO THE FINAL FOUR – CROATIACroatia are unbeaten at Russia 2018 with three wins and two draws from their five games.They emerged from both of their knockout games on penalties – beating Denmark in the last 16 and Russia in the quarter-finals. They’re only the second team to win two shootouts at the same World Cup, after Argentina did the same at Italia ’90.The Croatians emerged from their group with a perfect three wins from three, including a 3-0 demolition of Lionel Messi and Argentina.
They’ve scored 10 goals in Russia, conceding four.
- 17:36 GMTLUZHNIKIThe atmosphere at Luzhniki Stadium is building ahead of the game, and RT Sport's Danny Armstrong recently tweeted these scenes of fans arriving.For scenes of the fans taking over the center of Moscow earlier in the day, check out our story here. The number of England fans in particular was noticeably up on the sparser showing earlier in the tournament.It's 'Football’s coming home' v 'England's coming home' #WorldCup #Russia2018 #CROENG #ThreeLions #CRO #ENG on.rt.com/99uq
England & Croatia fans mass in Moscow ahead of World Cup semi-final
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17:33 GMT
HEAD TO HEAD
England and Croatia have met seven times previously. The Three Lions lead the head to head with four wins to Croatia’s two, with the only draw coming in their first game in 1996.
The pair last met in World Cup qualifying in 2009, when England won 5-1 at Wembley.
That was a modicum of revenge for perhaps one of England’s most embarrassing escapades, when they failed to qualify for Euro 2008 after suffering a 2-3 home defeat to Croatia at Wembley in November 2007.
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17:24 GMT
TEAM NEWS
We’ll start with some team news for you.
England have named an unchanged side from the one that beat Sweden in the quarter-final, meaning they line up with Pickford in goal, Walker, Stones and Maguire at the back, Young and Trippier as wingbacks, Henderson as a defensive midfielder, with Lingard and Alli sitting just in front, and Sterling and Kane up top.
Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic has made one change to the team that beat Russia on penalties in their quarter-final, with Marcelo Brozovic coming in to replace Andrej Kramaric.
Penalty shootout hero Subasic starts in goal, Vida and Lovren form a central defensive pairing, Strinic is on the left, and Vrsaljko on the right.
Rakitic and Brozovic will likely sit centrally and allow Perisic, Modric and Rebic to roam further forward, with Mandzukic leading the line.
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17:24 GMT
WELCOME
So the long, long wait for England and Croatia is over.
Twenty-eight years since England’s last appearance at this stage of the World Cup, 20 years for the Croatians.
A historic night awaits for both countries, and we’ll find out soon enough which of them can seize their change to book a World Cup final spot against France back at Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday.
Stay with us for live updates as the action unfolds in Moscow
- 17:33 GMTHEAD TO HEADEngland and Croatia have met seven times previously. The Three Lions lead the head to head with four wins to Croatia’s two, with the only draw coming in their first game in 1996.The pair last met in World Cup qualifying in 2009, when England won 5-1 at Wembley.That was a modicum of revenge for perhaps one of England’s most embarrassing escapades, when they failed to qualify for Euro 2008 after suffering a 2-3 home defeat to Croatia at Wembley in November 2007.
- 17:24 GMTTEAM NEWSWe’ll start with some team news for you.England have named an unchanged side from the one that beat Sweden in the quarter-final, meaning they line up with Pickford in goal, Walker, Stones and Maguire at the back, Young and Trippier as wingbacks, Henderson as a defensive midfielder, with Lingard and Alli sitting just in front, and Sterling and Kane up top.Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic has made one change to the team that beat Russia on penalties in their quarter-final, with Marcelo Brozovic coming in to replace Andrej Kramaric.Penalty shootout hero Subasic starts in goal, Vida and Lovren form a central defensive pairing, Strinic is on the left, and Vrsaljko on the right.Rakitic and Brozovic will likely sit centrally and allow Perisic, Modric and Rebic to roam further forward, with Mandzukic leading the line.
- 17:24 GMTWELCOMESo the long, long wait for England and Croatia is over.Twenty-eight years since England’s last appearance at this stage of the World Cup, 20 years for the Croatians.A historic night awaits for both countries, and we’ll find out soon enough which of them can seize their change to book a World Cup final spot against France back at Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday.Stay with us for live updates as the action unfolds in Moscow
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