Hosts Russia were eliminated from the tournament, as Croatia beat them 4-3 on penalties in Sochi on Saturday to advance to the World Cup semi-finals. The match finished 2-2 after extra time. This is the best result Russia have achieved at the tournament since the break-up of the Soviet Union.

“I can’t say we jumped over our heads. We were preparing for the tournament, analyzed details, and the Confederations Cup helped us with that. You saw for yourselves the work the team had done, which showed in our results. We feel like soldiers, who were called up to the army. Today we demobilized. But we wish we could serve and fight. We are disappointed by this 'dembel.' We could serve our motherland till July 15,” Cherchesov told journalists.

Croatia will next face England at Moscow’s Luzhinki Stadium on Wednesday in the semi-finals.