Days of anticipation has lead to tears and crushing despair for England players and fans.

Despite the hopes of a nation wanting to ‘bring the World Cup home’, the Three Lions’ fell to a heartbreaking 2-1 extra time defeat to Croatia in the semi finals.

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England took the lead in just the fourth minute through a brilliant Kieran Trippier free-kick but they let Croatia back into the match in the second half and Ivan Perisic equalised, which sent the match to extra time.

Worse was to come for the Three Lions as Mario Mandzukic took full advantage of slack England defending to score in extra time to send Croatia to their first ever World Cup final.

England now have to settle for the third and fourth playoff against group rivals Belgium on Saturday.