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The men's World Cup soccer tournament is down to the final two games that matter.

A day after France advanced to Sunday's final in Moscow with a 1-0 victory over Belgium, the focus of the tournament is now turning to the other semi-final game, England against Croatia in Moscow.

A win for England would help erase World Cup futility. The English claim to have invented the game, or at least the modern version of it. But England has not been in the final since 1966, when it won its only World Cup title.

If England is to advance, it will have to get through Croatia, which has its own history of World Cup futility. Croatia has never advanced to the championship match. And the last time it played in the final four was 20 years ago, in 1998. That year, France both hosted FIFA's World Cup and won, beating Brazil 3-0.

NPR's sports correspondent Tom Goldman says today's match is being played against a political backdrop. He told NPR's Newscast Unit that many Russians are angry at Croatian defender Domagoj Vida for appearing in videos saying pro-Ukrainian slogans. Goldman says FIFA, the international soccer's governing body, has warned Vida about making political statements.

The BBC says one of the two videos in which Vida appeared was posted online after Croatia beat host Russia for the right to play in the semi-final against England. A separate video led to a Croatian coach being sent home.

Sports

Giles Snyder

Author

The winner of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final between England and Croatia will advance to Sunday's championship match against France.

World Cup Semi-final: England vs Croatia, winner will play France

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