England will feel the stars are starting to align at this extraordinary World Cup but so, too, will Croatia who, ­having prevailed in the previous round against Denmark despite missing three penalties, have now eliminated the turbo-charged hosts in a similarly heart thumping shoot-out. In one sense, England may be ­grateful to have avoided a semi-final meeting with Russia in Moscow, and what could have been one of the most politically charged games in history ­after the poisoning of a former KGB agent turned British spy and his ­daughter in Salisbury in March. But on the other hand, Croatia could well provide a tougher obstacle on Wednesday night, all the more so if their captain and metronome Luka Modric hits the sort of stride he did here from half-time onwards and ­fortune continues to shine on Zlatko Dalic’s side. “We expect a very difficult, tight and demanding match,” Modric said. “We watched their game against Sweden and we saw how good they are from dead-balls. We’ll have to focus more on defending from set-pieces because we conceded from a set-piece [against Russia], so we’ll have to improve that element of our game. We’ve already done some thing bigs, but this team can do more.” Whatever the outcome, there is no danger of Gareth Southgate being ­diminished in the way Steve McClaren so cruelly was in the rain at Wembley in 2007. An umbrella may have shielded McClaren from the elements that ­evening, but not the ridicule that came his way after Croatia’s 3-2 victory, which denied England a place at Euro 2008 and saw the manager infamously dubbed “The Wally with the Brolly”.<doc-sep>World Cup semi-final: Croatia v England Venue : Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow Date : Wednesday, 11 July (19:00 BST) Coverage : Full match commentary on BBC Radio 5 live, text commentary, report and highlights on BBC Sport app and online England stand just one game away from their first World Cup final since 1966 after clearing another obstacle on the road to history by beating Sweden in the quarter-finals. Gareth Southgate's improving team handled the pressure of attempting to reach their first semi-final for 28 years and the growing hysteria at home to advance in routine fashion in Samara. After the stress of the nerve-shredding win on penalties against Colombia, the victory over Sweden to set up a last-four meeting with Croatia almost qualified as a cruise. Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker, a key member of the last Three Lions team to reach the semi-finals at Italia 90, said: "It is not really supposed to be as comfortable as this with England is it?" Another major step in a World Cup defying logic If England and their fans, who stayed behind for an hour after the conclusion here and were rewarded with an appearance from Southgate and an autograph-signing session from captain Harry Kane, cannot dare to dream now, when can they? England have manoeuvred their way through Russia, killing off curses on their travels. The win against Tunisia was their first in an opening game at a major tournament since Paraguay were beaten at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The last-16 victory against Colombia was not only their first knockout win since 2002 but also their first penalty shootout win at a World Cup. Grim statistics that had piled up around England like rubble have been slowly cleared away by Southgate and his players in what is turning into a landmark World Cup. The reality states that England still have the air of underdogs, and reality suggests the World Cup winners will come from the other side of the draw and the semi-final between Belgium and France - two teams containing a collection of world-class players. This World Cup, however, has not dealt in reality, as we saw when holders Germany fell at the group stage. England and their supporters have suffered enough agonies at major tournaments - indeed downright embarrassment in the last World Cup in Brazil four years ago and at Euro 2016 - to allow themselves to dream. The dream now moves to Moscow. The Southgate factor Gareth Southgate has known the game's harder edge, so few will begrudge him the praise and adulation falling on his shoulders now. The 47-year-old carried the burden of missing a crucial penalty in the Euro 96 semi-final penalty shootout against Germany and also saw his first venture into management, when he was thrown into the task prematurely, end with the sack at Middlesbrough. Gareth Southgate was a player at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups but said on Saturday that he prefers the experience as manager this time around England and the Football Association are now the beneficiaries of all of those experiences, not just from his playing career but also the knowledge he picked up working under international managers such as Terry Venables. Southgate took on the job with England at their lowest ebb following Roy Hodgson's resignation after Euro 2016 and Sam Allardyce's ill-fated one-match reign. Two years later they can make history. He has brought maturity, measure and meticulous preparation to his task and has helped England's followers to feel genuine affection for him and his players. Southgate is also a product of the FA system, meaning he has worked with the likes of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and Harry Kane in the Under-21 team. The manager has been rightly acknowledged as a decent, dignified frontman for England. He has even been self-effacing about the "Gareth Southgate Would" Twitter craze, reflecting his basic decency and his sudden status as a fashion icon thanks to his trademark blue waistcoat. Southgate, however, is much more than that. England's players respect him as a person and manager, a key starting point, but he has also added vital elements to the mix. He has brought attention to detail, from the notes on Pickford's drinks bottle at the shootout against Colombia to the relentless work on set-pieces that have been England's most potent weapon here in Russia. Southgate is also loyal and retains faith in his players. Dele Alli and Raheem Sterling have had their struggles in Russia but Southgate has stuck with them, giving strong public backing when needed. And his cool demeanour, with a steely edge underneath, has allowed England's players the freedom they required to shrug off the shackles that have weighed them down at previous tournaments. Southgate will return from this World Cup with his reputation greatly enhanced - and perhaps with even greater glory against his name. England's surge in self-belief England's management and players have had a relaxed, quiet confidence ever since they landed in Russia almost a month ago. Southgate's men were accompanied by realistic expectations in which an exit at the quarter-final stage (most predictions suggested this would be against holders Germany or Brazil) would mean a return home with respectability. Those two superpowers must now watch from afar as England contest the World Cup semi-final. Slowly but surely, England have gathered belief and momentum, two priceless commodities, as they move around this vast country, to the point where they will go to Moscow on Wednesday with confidence bolstered by a professional performance that accounted for dogged Sweden. England's belief will also grow from the fact their talisman and captain Kane was on the margins against the Swedes. It could emerge as a key moment - when Kane was quiet, others stepped up. Harry Maguire, outstanding in England's last two games, was on the scoresheet, which he has threatened throughout the World Cup, while Alli's confidence will be lifted by his goal. And there are even more ingredients that have given England a powerful mix. The defenders know they have an outstanding goalkeeper behind them in Pickford, who was magnificent in Samara. Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has been an understated but outstanding contributor, as has John Stones. England also have the vital ingredients of team spirit and unity, plus a lack of ego, that help them dig deep when the going gets tough - a "band of brothers" mentality, as Kane called it. The heat will be on like never before in Moscow as they know they are one game from a World Cup final. England's growing belief, their increased maturity through the tournament, and the confidence they will gain from results like this will all be powerful tools in the hothouse atmosphere of Luzhniki Stadium. Stay in the bubble and out of the hysteria World Cup 2018: England fans celebrate across the country As growing hysteria grips their followers at home, England can retreat behind the wooden gates of their peaceful retreat on the Gulf of Finland in Repino. Nothing could be further removed from the fervour of home and the buzz of the World Cup than the mild, coastal climes and secluded base off a small tree-lined road 45 minutes from St Petersburg. It has proved to be the perfect location for England - and will be ideal as a shield from the frenzy that is beginning to whip up around Southgate and his players. England will get back to work at their neatly-appointed training base at Zelenogorsk, which could not be a greater contrast to the bustle of Moscow. There, they can work but also relax and get mind and body back in order for Wednesday. Southgate will ensure his players remain in the bubble that has served them so well as they prepare for the biggest game of their lives.<doc-sep>
Last updated on .From the section World Cup 2018 Fifa World Cup semi-final: Croatia v England Venue: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow Date: Wednesday, 11 July, 19:00 BST Coverage: Full radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 live and text commentary online and in BBC Sport app England's appearance in a first World Cup semi-final since 1990 is an "incredible feeling", says boss Gareth Southgate. Goals by Harry Maguire and Dele Alli sealed a 2-0 last-eight win over Sweden to leave them one game from the final. England now prepare for a momentous match in Moscow on Wednesday against Croatia, who beat Russia on penalties. "I hope everyone at home enjoys tonight because it's not often this happens," Southgate told BBC Sport. England have not reached the final since winning the World Cup in 1966, while it is only the third time they have reached the last four. Maguire and Alli struck either side of the interval in Samara. Maguire broke the deadlock on the half-hour, flashing a header past Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen from Ashley Young's corner. England sealed victory when Alli headed in Jesse Lingard's lofted cross at the far post. "We knew it was going to be such a different game after having extra time and penalties against Colombia, with all the emotion and the energy," said Southgate. "We had to withstand a lot of physical pressure but the resilience of the team was crucial. "We knew we would have the majority of the ball and it was a case of breaking them down because Sweden are a really well organised team. "Over the years we have underestimated them." 'We can create our own history' Jordan Pickford played a key role in England's win after the Everton goalkeeper produced some fine saves including a superb stop to deny Marcus Berg. "I wasn't born the last time England reached a World Cup semi-final," said the 24-year-old. "We have always said we would take one game at a time and we can go on and create our own history. "We knew it was going to be difficult, we know what Sweden bring to the party and we managed it very well. After I made that first save from Berg, it set me up for the rest of the game. "England fans are different class and we really enjoyed playing in that atmosphere." 'We want to make the country proud' England captain Harry Kane did not add to his six goals at the tournament but is relishing a semi-final in Russia's capital. "I thought we were fantastic. We faced the long ball - different to what we have faced before - and we're buzzing with the result," said the Tottenham striker. "We know there is a big game ahead with the semi-final but we are feeling good and we're confident. "We just have to go again. We are enjoying it and we've got keep doing what we are doing and make the country proud." 'That was for the fans' Alli, 22, became the second youngest England World Cup goalscorer after Michael Owen, who was 18 when he scored at France 1998. "It's a great achievement for the team and we owe it to the fans," said the Tottenham midfielder. "They have been believing in us. It was a great performance from the team. "It's always nice to score especially in occasions like this. I don't think it was my best performance but to get a goal is unbelievable and it's an amazing feeling to get to the semi-final."