England vs Croatia: Fans serenade Three Lions with Don’t Look Back in Anger after 2-1 defeat in World Cup semi-finals

England fans serenaded the defeated Three Lions in an attempt to show their pride in the team after they were beaten 2-1 by Croatia in extra-time, with the beaten supporters refusing to let the heart-breaking loss dampen what has been an incredible run in Russia.

When Kieran Trippier’s free-kick rose over the Croatian wall and into the back of the net, a nation dared to dream as England took one step towards the World Cup final.

But where it was one step forward, it was two steps back as England were unable to build on the goal and instead went into their shells. Croatia were able to grow into the game, enjoying significantly more chances that their opponents, and by the time Ivan Perisic volleyed home to equalise the sense was that the game – and the final – was slipping away from England.

Gareth Southgate didn’t risk it all with the scores level, instead swapping only Raheem Sterling with Marcus Rashford. Danny Rose followed at the start of extra-time, with Eric Dier also joining the affray soon after for Jordan Henderson.

But they all proved to be like-for-like changes, and it ended up costing them dearly when Mario Mandzukic scored the eventual winner. Only then did Southgate twist, sending on Jamie Vardy for defender Kyle Walker, but when Trippier was forced off with injury minutes after the writing was on the wall.

Unsurprisingly, the England players were distraught, watching on in misery as the Croatians celebrated emphatically. But rather than leave them down in the dumps, the fans came to lift the players.

Immediately God Save The Queen belted out around the Luzhniki Stadium, and even the much-maligned Don’t Take Me Home chant felt somewhat warming to hear. A full 30 minutes after the full-time whistle, Don’t Look Back In Anger was ringing out in the Moscow night air as the England supporters remained inside the stadium, proud of Gareth Southgate’s young chargers that have come so far in such a short length of time.

The tribute stretched to their manager, with Southgate noting the reaction from those in the Luzhniki Stadium was the result of something special over the last four weeks.

“For the players, you’ve only got to look at the reaction of the fans. You don’t get that if you haven’t left it all out on the pitch,” said Southgate.

England of course won’t go home. They have the nightmare game ahead of them, the one no one wants to feature in, as they face Belgium once again in Saturday’s third-place play-off.