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')

Roy Keane hits out at John Stones

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 12 July 2018

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane criticises John Stones's defending in England's 2-1 defeat to Croatia on Wednesday night.

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has criticised John Stones's defending in England's 2-1 defeat to Croatia in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.

Kieran Trippier's early free kick sent England ahead on the night, but Ivan Perisic levelled the scores before Mario Mandzukic came up with an extra-time winner for Croatia.

Stones switched off to allow Mandzukic time and space inside the England box, and Keane has accused the Manchester City centre-back of 'not smelling the danger'.

"We've talked about how comfortable England are playing out from the back and that it's in their DNA and Stones is comfortable on the ball you still have the act of defending. Players smelling danger," Keane told ITV.

"Stones is ball watching and then when the goal goes in he's looking at people as if he should have got a shout. You're not going to get a shout in a World Cup semi-final.

"You've got to be aware of it and deal with it yourself. He does get caught out defensively."

England will now take on Belgium in the third-place playoff match on Saturday afternoon.