They’re Coming Home: England’s Dream Is Over
For a second there, it did honestly feel like it was coming home, but alas, it was not to be. England have been eliminated from the World Cup right at the penultimate stage, and Croatia are now through to Sunday’s finals instead.
England’s Kieren Trippier scored an early goal in the 5th, giving the Three Lions a strong lead. However, Ivan Perišić scored a stunning goal in the 68th minute when he flicked the ball in past English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with an outstretched foot to equalise with England.
The draw at 90 minutes led to a heated extra time period with during which England’s Dele Alli and Croatia’s Ivan Rakitic nearly came to blows. Mario Mandzukic scored a poacher’s goal in the 109th minute, latching onto Perišić’s flick to put Croatia ahead and into their first ever World Cup final.
After defeating Sweden in a 2-0 show of force last weekend, the Three Lions qualified for their first semi-final since 1990, but winning against Croatia tonight would’ve marked the end of an even longer dry run. Unfortunately it was just not to be.
As expected, tonight’s match proved to be an entertaining one for the neutrals and a stressful experience for English supporters, who have long been claiming that this is the year it finally comes home again.
The semi-final between England and Croatia took place at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, the giant 80,000-capacity venue which will also host Sunday’s grand final.
England had only ever played there once (a 2-1 defeat to Russia back in 2007), and it seems like the curse / losing streak is destined to continue for the time being.
As Croatia now face France on Sunday to decide who is crowned world champion, England will have a second go at Belgium for the third-place play-offs this Saturday.
Who do you think will win the 2018 World Cup?
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