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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 18:13 EDT
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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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59 mins: Another corner for Croatia as Kyle Walker awkwardly slices his clearance out behind the goal. Pressure building, but Pickford can clear away. Sterling breaks forward but the referee brings the play to a halt due to a foul, instead of playing on and allowing England to continue forward

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 20:17

Lovren going for the physical approach so far, and as of yet avoiding a caution from the referee

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 20:18

63 mins: It's nervy, end-to-end an honestly an uncomfortable watch. Sterling gets through in the penalty area, gets some contact and goes down but gets back up and loses possession. Looked as though there was some contact and the referee may have had a more difficult decision had Sterling stayed down

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 20:21

66 mins: Huge moment. Kyle Walker puts his body on the line and blocks a shot that looked to be goal bound. England also avoid a date with VAR, as the brief check gives England the all clear over a possible Croatian penalty

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 20:23

GOAL! 68 mins: Croatia 1-1 England (Ivan Perisic)

It's been coming. Vrsaljko with the ball in with acres of space crosses into Ivan Perisic and he's boots it home from close range. It's all square.

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 20:26

A hint of high foot about that goal, but to be fair to Perisic it was a very good finish. 

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 20:28

72 mins: POST! Perisic strikes the post from close range, and the wheels have come off in the last couple of moments from England. Everything they've done well, for a moment at least, has evaporated

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 20:29

74 mins: Rashford ON for England, Raheem Sterling coming OFF. Southgate blinks first.

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 20:30

Ed Malyon from Moscow:

Croatia are on top now and it's not really close. Time ticks past the 70-minute mark and England are reeling, they need a moment of calm for sure but they might need a change.

Marcus Rashford is the guy that most of The Independent sport desk want to see and he is coming on shortly, but I would consider Loftus-Cheek to reassert some dominance in midfield.

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 20:31

77 mins: Kane plays in Lingard and gets in behind, but Lingard chooses a shot from a very tight angle, that drags across the face of goal and out for a throw in.

Molly Hudson11 July 2018 20:35

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