Si: Russia enjoying the kind of luck a host nation tends to

Gareth: Can you believe that didn't go in for CRO

Andrew: You can’t come any closer than that without actually scoring!

And just like that, Russia have a chance.

A free-kick is hit long and high into Artem Dzyuba but the striker's header is a comfortable save for Danijel Subasic.

Dion Dublin
Ex-Aston Villa striker on BBC Radio 5 live

There are six players behind the ball including the keeper, and Ivan Perisic puts it in the only place it could've gone in, but it hits the post.

Image source, EPA

Croatia should be 2-1 up! Andrej Kramaric hooks a lofted ball back into the centre of the box and there's bodies flying around everywhere.

Russia can't get it away and amid a slip from Mario Mandzukic, unmarked Ivan Perisic finds the ball at his feet but he can't squeeze it in as it bounces off the inside of the post.

Dion Dublin
Ex-Aston Villa striker on BBC Radio 5 live

Croatia had a chance to break quickly on Russia there, but they just won't throw it in the box. They wait and wait, but they waited too long and Russia got back into the box.

Image source, EPA

Ante Rebic has space to run into in midfield and his eyes widen at the sight of goal. He lets rip from distance but he probably shouldn't have bothered because it flies straight into the stands.

Craig: Almost hope Croatia win. A) because the semi final will become less political, and B) if England were to win, would like to think it wasn't by avoiding any top quality teams until the final

Amrul: Both sides are comical. England would fancy any of these sides.

saidmadrid: Croatia's inconsistency brings a light of hope for England if they meet in the semis

Russia have space going forward and they get the ball straight up to Artem Dzyuba. He wasn't willing to run with it but he passes it back infield and finds a teammate.

Croatia get numbers back quickly though and they now have the ball at the other end. It's counter-attacking football at the moment.

Image source, AFP

Sime Vrsaljko has been on the floor for several minutes but doesn't look to be seriously hurt. He's using the time to take a breather and Russia use it to make a substitution.

Aleksandr Erokhin replaces Aleksander Samedov.

More Aleksanders/Aleksandrs!

Patrick Jennings
BBC Sport in Sochi

Every break in play the Russia players look towards their manager on the sidelines and find Stanislav Cherchesov invariably doing the same thing.

Arms waving round and round or up and down - both seem to mean: We need more, more, more.

Sime Vrsaljko is seeing a lot of the ball at the moment. This time he finds Andrej Kramaric in the centre of the box.

It's slightly behind Kramaric but he improvises with an audacious overhead kick. It's on target but lacks any power and is a comfortable save for the keeper.

Dion Dublin
Ex-Aston Villa striker on BBC Radio 5 live

Dejan Lovren and Domagoj Vida have gone very close to Artem Dzyuba at the start of this second half. They are trying to stop him from collecting the ball on his chest and starting Russian attacks.

Sime Vrsaljko has space down the right to bend a cross into the box. It's not a particularly great ball but it skips through everyone and finds Andrej Kramaric at the back post.

The number nine takes about a hundred touches - hesitating to shoot - and the chance goes begging.

Denis Cheryshev does really well in the corner as he hassles Dejan Lovren into losing possession.

But luckily Sime Vrsaljko is back to help his teammate out.

Image source, AFP

Sime Vrsaljko thought about launching a long throw into the box but plays it safe, going back to Dejan Lovren instead.

Russia then win the ball back and Aleksander Golovin wins a freekick off Luka Modric.

We're under way for the second half and as usual, I'll drop a stat...

Of Croatia's last 13 World Cup goals, 10 have come after half-time.

So stay focused Russia!

The players are heading back into the tunnel.

If you haven't already, go and submit your player ratings for the first half.

Image source, BBC Sport

I think what we all want is for this game to get to extra-time so England's opponents are worn out. A few yellow cards here and there could be quite welcome too.

But no matter what happens in this match, you can put your money on Gareth looking cool and calm in his waistcoat.

What a guy...