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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
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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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30 mins: FOUR minutes added time! 

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 21:33

32 mins: Dier with a ball in but it's too straight and Harry Kane can only watch as Subasic collects. England playing with 10 as Trippier has injured his groin and this looks one leap to greatness too far for this England team

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 21:35

34 mins: The very last minute of available time and England have a free kick. Fairly straight and 30 yards out, but one very, very late last chance

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 21:36

FULL TIME: Croatia 2-1 England 

It's over. The dream is over. Mario Mandzukic's extra time goal defeats England after Kieran Trippier had put them ahead five minutes in, before Ivan Perisic equalised.

We may be out, and the trophy may not be coming home. But Gareth Southgate and this young England side have brought this divided nation together for 29 days, and will return as heroes. From nothing, the unfancied team, to going out in extra time against a talented Croatian side.

They should be proud, and so are we.

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 21:40

The nation's heart breaks alongside those 23 players that carried the hopes of us all. As they weep they don't hide down the tunnel or shy away, they go to the England fans who were loud and proud from minute one to minute 124. That mentality will hopefully take this group a long, long way.

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 21:44
Molly Hudson11 July 2018 21:48

A deflated Harry Kane talks to ITV post-match:

We have just got to learn from it and take what we can. We created some good chances when 1-0 up and maybe we dropped a little too deep at times. There's a lot of ifs and buts and big games are decided by small margins and it went their way today.

It's been great to get to this stage and we know we have done everyone proud but we wanted to go on and win it. It shows we can be up here and win knockout games. The next step now is to go one further so we have got to carry that on. We are proud of what we achieved but we want more.

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 21:52

We knew that Luka Modric would be key in this game, and he got the better of Jordan Henderson in this one. Here's Jack Watson's​ take on the midfield battle:

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 21:54

It may have been heartbreak for England, but it's also been a monumental match for Croatia, a nation with just £4 million people

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 21:56

Ed Malyon dissects this one on the whistle, whilst England fans and players weep around him in the Luzhniki Stadium

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 21:58

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