Captain Miho Boskovic led three players with two goals apiece and Croatia cruised to an 8-2 win over the United States to advance to the semifinals of men's Olympic water polo.

Damir Buric gave Croatia an early lead. Croatia put in a complete performance, pouring it on in the first half to lead 5-0 at the break.

The Americans, who came to London looking to improve on their silver medal in Beijing, clawed back to 5-2 halfway through the third quarter. But Croatia’s lockdown defense and efficient shooting at the other end of the pool proved too much.

Croatia, looking for its first water polo medal since silver at the 1996 Atlanta Games, plays Montenegro in Friday’s semifinal.