Croatia 2 Russia 2 (Croatia win 4-3 on pens): England await as hosts suffer agonising exit

Croatia players celebrate after beating hosts Russia on penalties. Picture: AP/Darko Bandic

England will face Croatia in the World Cup semi-finals after Zlatko Dalic's side beat hosts Russia 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in their last-eight match in Sochi.

Ivan Rakitic converted the decisive spot-kick after Mario Fernandes, who had netted an equaliser for Russia with five minutes of extra-time remaining, hit his effort from 12 yards wide.

Denis Cheryshev had put Russia in front in the 31st minute with a superb strike - his fourth goal of the tournament - but that was cancelled out eight minutes later by Andrej Kramaric’s header.

Croatia, having gone close in the 60th minute when Ivan Perisic hit a post, then had the lead in the 11th minute of extra-time as Domagoj Vida nodded in, before Fernandes brought things level late on once again with a header of his own.

Croatia's Andrej Kramaric celebrates his side's opening goal against Russia. Picture: AP/Darko Bandic

Croatia’s win sees them emulate their 1998 achievement of reaching the World Cup’s last four.

They will now take on England at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on Wednesday for a place in the final.

Stanislav Cherchesov’s Russia, meanwhile, will be devastated, but, when the dust settles, can reflect upon a memorable run at these finals.

There was one change apiece to the starting line-ups, with the sole alteration for Russia from their surprise penalty shoot-out triumph over Spain in the last 16 seeing Cheryshev come in for Yuri Zhirkov.

Russia's Denis Cheryshev celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the quarter-final clash between Russia. Picture: (APo/Pavel Golovkin

Croatia’s adjustment from their win against Denmark, also on penalties, was former Leicester striker Kramaric replacing Marcelo Brozovic.

Artem Dzyuba had a volley blocked by Dejan Lovren as Russia looked to make an early mark on the game, and an Ante Rebic header and Rakitic free-kick looped over the bar at the other end.

After Perisic sent a header wide of the Russian goal and Cheryshev saw his free-kick easily dealt with, the latter then opened the scoring in stunning fashion.