Sochi (Russia) July 8 (IANS) Croatia overcame hosts Russia with a 4-3 (2-2) win via penalty shootout at the Fisht Stadium on Saturday to enter the FIFA World Cup semi-finals for the second time after a gap of 20 years.
Denis Cheryshev s 25-yard screamer in the 31st minute gave Russia the lead but Croatia pulled level through Andrej Kramaric s header in the 39th minute.
Domajog Vida gave Croatia the lead with a header in the 101st minute.
But Mario Fernandes found Russia s equaliser in the 115th minute to stretch the match to penalty shootout in which Croatia prevailed.

--IANS pur/pgh/