The children of the Croatian team helped celebrate the team’s 2-1 World Cup semifinal win over England by entering the Luzhniki Stadium turf and even playing a game of football on the pitch after the final whistle.
When the game was done and dusted and Croatia had booked their first ever World Cup final, a small group of little ones could be seen entering the playing area and kicking around a ball on the pitch.
One, wearing a Croatia shirt with he number 4 printed on the back, could be seen breaking free and scoring, which the crowd received by letting out a huge cheer.
Goalkeeper Danijel Subasic and defender Domagoj Vida were snapped celebrating with children atop their shoulders and crouching down to tend to the toddlers. Vida also led the kids in saluting the crowd hand in hand.
The scenes mirrored Croatia’s celebrations after the team had squeezed past Russia in a penalty shootout in their quarterfinal game against hosts Russia.
During the match, a Mario Mandzukic goal in the second half of extra time sealed the victory for Croatia after a Kieran Trippier free kick was canceled out by an Ivan Perisic equalizer to make sure the two sides were level after 90 minutes.
The goal, timed at 109 minutes of the match, cemented Croatia’s first ever World Cup final berth and was celebrated after the game was over by the Croatia children.
Croatia will play France in the tournament final on Sunday at the same stadium, as ‘Les Bleus’ ousted Belgium in Tuesday at St. Petersburg on Tuesday.
