Against the odds

One trick

No trickery? Well, one trick by England forward Defoe payed off. A Croatian defender pulled his shirt very slightly, Defoe fell as if he was hit by a high-powered rifle and Frojdfeldt's assistant flagged for a penalty. The Swedish referee, who wasn't able to see it from where he stood, awarded it.

odds

80 thousand plus spectators reacting to every move, a brand new and already famous stadiium, English rain pouring down for almost the entire match. A referee or at least an assistant referee in awe of this all, those where the odds Croatia had to play against.
The same rain, a terrible field, missing players like Rooney and Terry, players not playing up to their standards and a very bad goalkeeper, were the odds England had to face.