July 12, 2018.
Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, where the World Cup semifinals were to be held, was lit up as bright as day, with waves of red and white and checkered red and white surging in the stands, and songs and shouts intertwining into a deafening background.
England versus Croatia.
These two teams, not traditionally top powerhouses, had fought their way through thorns and thistles to reach the semifinals. They were about to engage in a desperate struggle for a ticket to the final.
Before the match, media and expert analyses were uncharacteristically cautious. Croatia's path to promotion was nothing short of an epic saga: They eliminated Denmark on penalties and dragged down host Russia after a grueling 120 minutes of extra time.
The midfield triangle, composed of Modric, Rakitic, and Brozovic, became the soul and engine of this team with their unparalleled control, precise long-range passing, and tireless running coverage. Their tenacity, experience, and ability to maintain technical stability under high pressure made them a formidable opponent for any team.
The old coach of the Checkerboard Army, Dalic, spoke with conviction before the match: "We are used to fighting until the end. 90 minutes? 120 minutes? Even penalties? We fear nothing."
On England's side, the youth storm was in full swing. The team built by Southgate, spearheaded by young attackers like Kane, Ollie, Sterling, and Rashford, and complemented by mainstays like Henderson, Maguire, and Stones, had advanced triumphantly into the semifinals. These players had already created the Three Lions' best World Cup record in 28 years.
Southgate's final motivation in the locker room was concise and powerful: "Croatia is strong, but they have gone through two extra-time matches, and their physical and mental energy is greatly depleted! Come out with intensity from the start! Attack them! Pick up the pace of the game! Remember our advantages: speed, vitality, belief!"
When the match began, the England Team faithfully executed Southgate's tactics. They immediately employed high-intensity pressing in the front, with Trippier and Lingard being exceptionally active on the right flank, attempting to suppress Croatia's left-back defense with speed and impact.
They charged at Strinic and Perisic. The young Three Lions ran actively, and their passing was relatively fluid, indeed gaining the upper hand in the early stages of the match.
Croatia was clearly prepared for England's opening onslaught. Their defensive formation remained exceptionally tight, and Modric and Rakitic in the midfield constantly defused England's pressing pressure with their seasoned experience and precise one-touch passing.
When England attempted to quicken the pace and counter-attack, Brozovic always appeared in a crucial position to intercept. The Croatians were like a water-soaked sponge; no matter how England's waves crashed, they simply contracted, absorbed, and then, using Modric's surgical passes, instantly shifted the ball to open spaces on the flanks.
They launched extremely threatening counter-attacks. This efficiency from defense to offense caused England's backline to break out in cold sweats several times. The first half ended in a high-intensity confrontation, and the score was surprisingly 0-0, which was hard for most people to believe.
Although England had slightly more possession and a slight advantage in play, there were not many absolute chances that truly threatened Subasic's goal. Croatia displayed their trademark composure and shrewdness. They were like an experienced old hunter, waiting for the right moment.
In the locker room, Southgate affirmed the team's execution but emphasized the need for more patience and daring to make more penetrating passes in the opponent's half.
"Alright, heads up, lads! Maintain intensity, but be smarter too! Look for gaps in their defensive movements!" He looked at Ollie and Kane. "Kane, Ollie! You two, switch positions more frequently! Pull their center-backs out!"
The second half began with both teams switching sides.
England continued to press, while Croatia remained steadfast in their defensive counter-attacks.
The balance of the match was broken in the 58th minute! A seemingly not absolute scoring opportunity. England organized an attack in the central-right area, with Kane holding off Lovren with his back to goal, his vision exceptionally wide. Just as Croatia's center-back Vida was about to step up to assist in defense, Kane delivered an incredible low through ball with the outside of his right foot. This pass seemed to have eyes, precisely penetrating the narrow gap between Lovren and Vida.
It rolled towards the right flank of Croatia's penalty area. At the same time Kane passed the ball, a white figure, like a lightning bolt, instantly shook off Strinic, who was tightly marking him, with a visible burst of speed. Ollie perfectly read Kane's passing intention and trajectory.
At the moment he started, his body completed an extremely subtle change of direction, just avoiding Strinic's outstretched interception leg. Ollie, near the corner of the six-yard box, faced the rushing Subasic. He didn't hesitate, striking a low shot with the instep of his right foot, not powerful but with an extremely tricky angle, meeting the rolling ball. The ball hugged the ground, squeezing through the tiny gap between Subasic's spread legs and the near post, precisely nestling into the net.
1-0!
The moment the goal went in, Luzhniki Stadium erupted with a thunderous roar from England fans.
"Ollie! His 7th World Cup goal!!!! If I'm not mistaken, after this World Cup, he will definitely be the Golden Boot winner, and at the same time, Ollie will also become the first player in football history to win 3 Golden Boots in a single season!!!" The Commentator's voice was so excited it was almost breaking.
Ollie sprinted wildly towards the corner flag, fists clenched, roaring to the sky. Kane, Lingard, Alli, and other teammates rushed over in ecstasy, piling on top of him. Southgate pumped his fist vigorously on the sidelines.
This goal was a perfect combination of Ollie's keen instinct, top-tier acceleration, and calm finishing ability. It was also a priceless moment of brilliance on the most crucial stage of the World Cup.
The England Team seemed only one step away from the final. However, Croatia's maestro, Master Modric, would not surrender easily.
After conceding, they did not panic. Modric stepped forward. This midfield maestro began to drop deeper to collect the ball, orchestrating Croatia's attack with his unparalleled ball control and passing vision, constantly shifting England's defensive line. Their attacks began to have more layers and become more threatening. As long as Modric could hold steady, Croatia could hold steady.
After taking the lead, England's physical limitations began to show. The high-intensity pressing tactic in the front had been executed for over 60 minutes, and facing Croatia's technical midfielders' continuous ball control and consumption, the young players' running ability began to decline. In contrast, Croatia, despite being equally fatigued, was supported by an iron will forged in life-and-death battles, enabling them to continue fighting.
In the 68th minute, Croatia's sustained pressure finally paid off.
They earned a throw-in opportunity on the left flank. Vrsaljko hurled it powerfully into the penalty area. Center-backs Maguire and Stones battled for the header, but the ball was not cleared far enough.
Perisic, on the periphery, keenly anticipated the second ball. He displayed the instincts of a top striker. As the ball bounced and descended, he got there first, leaping into the air, and struck an unconventional, elegant left-footed volley with the outside of his foot.
The ball arced in a bizarre and swift trajectory, soaring over goalkeeper Pickford's fingertips, and crashing into the far corner of the net.
1-1!
This goal was absolutely spectacular. It dealt a heavy blow to England's morale. Perisic's goal ignited the passion of Croatian players and fans. The balance of the match began to tilt towards the Checkerboard Army. Croatia's momentum grew stronger after equalizing, with the midfield trio of Modric, Rakitic, and Brozovic firmly controlling the tempo, constantly pressuring England's heartland.
England's defense was under immense pressure, and counter-attacks were difficult to organize due to declining stamina and loss of midfield control.
The 90 minutes of regular time ended with the score at 1-1.
Both teams' players showed signs of fatigue, their jerseys soaked with sweat. The cruel extra time arrived. In the first half of extra time, both teams were exhausted, the pace visibly slowed, and it was mostly a midfield struggle and attrition. The England Team tried to make substitutions, but with little effect.
The Croatians, on the other hand, gritted their teeth and persevered with sheer willpower, and Modric's coverage was terrifying. He had already run over 15 kilometers in this match, yet he was still tirelessly interweaving, receiving, and passing.
In the second half of extra time, in the 109th minute, the suspense of the match was completely killed. Croatia launched a counter-attack after winning the ball in their own half, and England's defense, after 120 minutes of high-intensity confrontation, experienced a momentary lapse in concentration. Perisic surged forward on the left flank, drawing the attention of England's right-back Trippier. Perisic did not choose to go to the byline but instead sent a seemingly unthreatening high cross with his left foot, aiming for the center of the penalty area. However, this pass became the source of the winning goal.
England's center-back Stones leaped forcefully, attempting to clear the ball, but he missed the header. The ball fell to the edge of the six-yard box. At that very moment, a ghostly figure darted out from behind Kyle Walker.
Mandzukic.
This experienced striker, in a flash of lightning, seized the fatal gap created by Stones' missed header. He got there before the backtracking Maguire and swept the ball in with his left foot while falling. The ball rustled the net. 2-1!
The entire Luzhniki Stadium was instantly engulfed by the frenzy of Croatian fans. Mandzukic tore off his shirt in celebration, and his teammates ecstatically piled on top of him.
The England players, on the other hand, stood dazed, as if all their strength had been drained. Ollie stood with his hands on his hips, breathing heavily, sweat rolling down his cheeks, his eyes filled with unwillingness and despair. He knew that time was running out, and a miracle was almost impossible.
Finally, the referee blew the final whistle.
Croatia came from behind to defeat England 2-1, making history by reaching the World Cup final for the first time. The players of the Checkerboard Army embraced each other, weeping, and celebrated wildly in the center of the field. Celebrating their best World Cup performance.
The England players, however, were downcast; Kane hung his head, Trippier covered his face and wept, and Arnold's eyes were red...
Ollie stood silently in the center of the field, watching the celebrating backs of his opponents, a thousand-pound boulder seemingly pressing on his chest. He walked over to Pickford, who was slumped on the ground, extended his hand to pull him up, and silently patted the goalkeeper's back. Then, he lowered his head and, following his equally silent teammates, slowly walked towards the player's tunnel.
Under the Moscow night sky, the Three Lions' World Cup dream shattered at this moment.
After the match, in the England Team's locker room, there was silence, a long silence, and the heavy sighs of the players.
Southgate, suppressing his immense disappointment, tried to comfort the players' emotions:
"Alright! Heads up, lads! You have already made history! You have made the whole country proud of you! This loss is not the end, but a new beginning for us to become stronger! Now, wipe away your tears and prepare for the next battle!"
Although the Three Lions stopped at the semifinals, failing to achieve the ultimate dream of "It's coming home." the fans, despite their immense disappointment, gave almost universally high praise to one person— Ollie.
In England fan forums:
"Heartbroken, truly heartbroken. But I have to say, Ollie was our only bright spot in this match, that goal was so crucial, he almost sent us to the final!"
"Yes!!! Ollie fought until the last minute! Every time he got the ball, he felt threatening! Compared to some people, he is truly trustworthy!"
"He's only 18! First World Cup, scored in every knockout match, and scored in the semifinals too! What more can you ask for from such a performance? He is our absolute core for the future! No one else!"
"Although we lost, seeing a player like Ollie rise is the greatest comfort for the future of England football! His Golden Boot is basically secured, I hope he can score another one in the third-place play-off!"
"Alas, England still fell short due to experience. But Ollie is truly beyond reproach! His off-the-ball movement, acceleration, and shot for the goal in this match were still textbook-level."
"Wow, 7 goals, these are 7 World Cup goals! I feel the biggest gain from this World Cup is that Ollie has completely proven himself to be a world-class forward. He's only 18, and he's about to win 3 Golden Boots."
"My club made a huge profit, a real huge profit, an 18-year-old 3-Golden Boot player for 158 million pounds is purely a bargain price. I feel the new Premier League season should be very interesting."
"I hope Ollie can achieve good results under Professor Wenger. My club has been in decline for too long, and we desperately need a championship. Professor really put his career on the line to build this new lineup."
"My heart aches for Ollie, he truly burned out against Croatia. Kane was so tired he couldn't run anymore, but he could still sprint in the final moments... I'm tearing up."
"Now the only thought is the Golden Boot. Ollie must play in the next third-place play-off. Score another goal, and bring the Golden Boot home securely. Even without a championship, having the Golden Boot is worth it!"
"That's right, good luck in the third-place play-off! The Three Lions lost, but Ollie didn't lose. Ollie, keep pushing for 3 Golden Boots!!!"
In the post-match media ratings, Ollie also generally received the highest score within the England Team.
Media comments pointed out:
"When the England Team was collectively on the back foot, Ollie was almost the only player who consistently created threats. His goal was extremely crucial, demonstrating the comprehensive qualities of a top striker. Even in extra time when the entire team was physically exhausted, he was still trying to find opportunities. At 18 years old, his first World Cup journey yielded a report card of 7 goals, his future is absolutely limitless."
In the locker room after the match, Ollie sat in his spot, covering his head with a towel, quietly reading the fans' discussions.
The disappointment still weighed heavily on his heart, but the recognition and understanding from the fans, like a faint light, dispelled some of the gloom. The World Cup journey was not yet completely over. There was still a third-place play-off waiting for him. And there was that World Cup Golden Boot honor, within reach, that he needed to firmly grasp in his hands.
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