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Luka Modric: Why Croatia star was rubbish in World Cup semi-final first half vs England
LUKA MODRIC endured a miserable first half in Croatia’s World Cup semi-final with England - and Martin Keown knows why.
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Modric was tipped to run the game in Moscow but the Real Madrid star laboured in midfield.
England stunned their opponents five minutes in when Kieran Trippier clipped home a wonderful free-kick.
The Three Lions kept Croatia largely quiet as they went in 1-0 at the break.
And Keown identified why Modric was so quiet in the first 45 minutes.
“England are so impressive with how they all know their jobs and are working to keep Luka Modric off the ball,” Keown said on the BBC’s radio coverage.
“He's hardly had any touches so far and that's because they have been set up so well.”
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Keown added: “Half time came at the right time for England.
“Croatia had seemed to go up a gear in the last five minutes but Gareth Southgate has had the chance now to settle the troops down.
“England have been playing it long - it's stretching the play but making Croatia start attacks from very deep.”
England are seeking to qualify for their first World Cup final since they won the competition way back in 1966.
They lost in the semi-finals back in 1990 when West Germany knocked the Three Lions out on penalties.