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As it happenedended

England out of the World Cup after extra-time defeat to Croatia - as it happened

Follow all the reaction from the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup

Molly Hudson
Wednesday 11 July 2018 23:13 BST
Comments
England fans sing after losing in World Cup semi-final to Croatia

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England's World Cup dream has come to an end after the side were beaten 2-1 after extra-time by Croatia.

The Three Lions pulled ahead after just five minutes through Kieran Trippier's sublime free-kick and for the following 62 minutes it was England who looked set for a place in the final.

But Ivan Perisic levelled for Croatia to take the game to extra-time before Mario Mandzukic struck in the 109th minute to put Zlatko Dalic's men in front.

England pushed on but were ultimately unable to find an equaliser. They now face Belgium in Saturday's third-place decider while Croatia go through to the final where they meet France.

Here's how it happened:


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79 mins: This is England. We don't do things easily. But can we find a way to turn all of that Croatian positivity back around? It's looking a struggle at the moment.

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 20:37

81 mins: Somehow England just managed an awful back pass and some one touch passing from Pickford to get them out of a huge hole. It's nervy and uncertain and lacking everything that has made England good at this tournament. Here you feel they are lacking that experience to regroup and go again.

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 20:39

84 mins: Croatia having played two consecutive 120 minute games look as fresh as a daisy. England resembling a dying dandelion. Need some energy, perhaps Loftus-Cheek from the bench?

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 20:41

86 mins: Some very small signs of promise for England as Rashford takes on the one player that is tiring. Vida. He's ageing and he's been worked hard first from Sterling and now Rashford. But at the moment Croatia are winning the midfield battle and that's preventing England getting any decent service to Rashford and Kane.

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 20:44

89 mins: The mere mention of extra time is giving me flashbacks of Yerry Mina's late goal at the very end of normal time. For once, surely, the luck has to favour England?

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 20:46

90 mins: If Dejan Lovren had scored that from 35 yards out I think I would have fallen off my chair. Luckily it went rocketing over the bar as expected. Three minutes additional time.

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 20:47

91 mins: FREE KICK! Rashford fouled, it's on the edge of the box to the right. Can we score, or scarily can Croatia break?

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 20:48

92 mins:​ It's neither. England players almost get in the way of each other, and Kane heads wide.

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 20:49

FULL TIME: Croatia 1-1 England 

We go to extra time. It's horrible. Truly horrible watching this. The nerves are jangling so I can only imagine Gareth Southgate's blood pressure levels right about now. Ivan Perisic cancelled out Kieran Trippier's early free kick, and with it any momentum England had garnered throughout the game. Surely Croatia must be tiring soon? Their third extra time in a row

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 20:52

Ivan Perisic a real threat for Croatia, hitting the post as well as scoring the equaliser

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 20:54

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