World Cup

[monks data]

Attendance: 78,011

World Cup | Semi-Finals

Jul 11, 2018 at 7pm UK

Croatia
2-1
England

Perisic (68'), Mandzukic (109')

FT
(aet)

Trippier (5')

Sam Allardyce: 'I would have blocked Croatia out'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 12 August 2018

Former England boss Sam Allardyce reveals that he would have looked to 'block Croatia outfit' if he had been managing the Three Lions at the 2018 World Cup.

Former England boss Sam Allardyce has revealed that he would have looked to 'block Croatia outfit' if he had been managing the Three Lions in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.

England overcame Sweden in the last eight of this summer's competition to reach the semi-finals, but then suffered a 2-1 defeat to Croatia after extra time.

Allardyce lasted just 67 days as England boss before leaving the post in September 2016, and the 63-year-old has said that he would have made it a more tactical affair against Croatia had he been in Gareth Southgate's position.

"It's just a shame they didn't get to the final. They were 1-0 up with 20 minutes to go against Croatia and it didn't quite work out," Allardyce told Sky Sports News.

"You know me, I'd have got criticised for blocking it up and seeing the game out, because you're not supposed to do that now. France won the World Cup because they did that against Belgium [in the semi-finals].

"They saw what Belgium did against Brazil and even though [Didier] Deschamps was getting criticism from the French press for his style of play, they won it, which is what it's all about. Defensively they were so solid, and that's the basis for any success."

Allardyce is currently without a coaching position, having left Everton at the end of last season.