A World Cup photographer became part of Croatia’s celebration of advancing to the finals after the team unwittingly piled on top of the photojournalist who captured every moment.
Yuri Cortez, a staff photographer with Agence France-Presse (AFP), was just steps from the pitch when Mario Mandzukic got the go-ahead goal and Croatia shocked England with a 2-1 victory Wednesday that advanced a nation of just over four million to a World Cup final against France. Mandzukic rushed to join teammates celebrating at the corner of the pitch.
Croatia’s forward Mario Mandzukic celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final match between Croatia and England at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018.
Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty Images
“I was just changing my lens as the players ran towards me,” Cortez told AFP. “They just kept coming towards me and they fell on me! It was a crazy moment, they were delighted. Then they suddenly realized that I was underneath them.”
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Croatia’s forward Mario Mandzukic celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final between Croatia and England at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018.
Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty Images
Cortez kept shooting while the soccer team celebrated, recording the jubilation up close and personal.
“Then they asked me if I was OK. Another one picked up my lens and another player gave me a kiss,” the photographer told his news agency.
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Croatia’s defender Josip Pivaric celebrates with teammates after Croatia’s forward Mario Mandzukic (C) scored their second goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final between Croatia and England at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018.
Yuri CorteZ/AFP/Getty Images
Other photographers captured the celebration showing players mobbing Cortez.
Croatia players celebrate next to an AFP photographer Yuri Cortez after Mario Mandzukic scores their second goal.
Reuters/Carl Recine
Croatia’s Ivan Rakitic celebrates with an AFP photographer Yuri Cortez after Mario Mandzukic scores their second goal.
Reuters/Carl Recine
Croatia’s Mario Mandzukic helps an AFP photographer Yuri Cortez to his feet after celebrating scoring their second goal.
Reuters/Carl Recine
Croatia’s forward Mario Mandzukic offers to help AFP photographer Yuri Cortez after he fell on him with teammates while celebrating their second goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final between Croatia and England at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 11, 2018.
Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty Images
Croatia’s Mario Mandzukic celebrates next to an AFP photographer Yuri Cortez after scoring their second goal.
Reuters/Carl Recine
The World Cup Final takes place on Sunday.
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