Croatia began the day with a 2-1 lead but Sam Querrey levelled the scores with victory against 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic.

Querrey recorded a 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Cilic to send the contest into a deciding rubber at the Krešimir Ćosić Hall in Zadar.

Coric dropped the opener but recovered to restore parity, before Tiafoe moved the US to within one set of a place in the final against France.

The Croatian, the world number 18 who enjoyed a famous win over Swiss star Roger Federer in the final of the Halle Open in June, held his nerve as he drew level at 2-2 before taking the fifth set to seal a 6-7, 6-1, 6-7, 6-1, 6-3 triumph.

Coric's success sent Croatia into their second final in the past three tournaments and they will take on France for the Davis Cup crown.

Cilic, currently ranked at number six in the world, was involved in controversy during his defeat to his big-serving American opponent as he was given a code violation by Carlos Ramos - the same umpire who was accused of sexism for docking Serena Williams a game in the US Open final last week.

The 29-year-old smashed his racquet after making a series of mistakes in a tense third set.

He accepted the sanction and claimed he "couldn't remember" the last time he was penalised for his on-court behaviour.

France had sealed their place in the final yesterday as they took an unassailable 3-0 lead in their clash with Spain.

This year's event marks the last to be played under its current format as the 2019 tournament has undergone a radical overhaul.