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

England fans sing after losing in World Cup semi-final to Croatia

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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Key Points

• England are out of the World Cup after extra-time defeat to Croatia
• Ed Malyon: England campaign ends in a heartbreak like never before
• Miguel Delaney: Everyone knows the score, but we've not seen it like this before
• Lawrence Ostlere: Football's not coming home but Gareth Southgate is building something special

[11 July 2018 13:28 · Molly Hudson]

Southgate's opposite number

Zlatko Dalic is the man tasked with coaching Croatia, and trying to break the hearts of millions of English fans. So if he's going to give us his best shot let's at least know a bit about him, right?

As with many managers, including our very own Gareth Southgate, Dalic used to play himself, as a defensive midfielder. He has spent much of his managerial career so far in the Middle East, with Saudi Arabian sides Al-Faisaly FC and Al-Hilal as well as a spell coaching in Croatia.

He got the national team position in October 2017 and has been reasonably successful leading them through a play-off against Greece to even make the tournament, and would be considered a national hero if his team could overcome England and France to lift the World Cup on Sunday.

[11 July 2018 13:36 · Molly Hudson]

Midfield maestros

If you had to name the most consistently performing midfielder in world football Croatia's Luka Modric would probably come pretty high in most people's lists. The Real Madrid star paves the way for his teammates to grab the headlines and and is likely to be key tonight, one of many tasked with providing a good quality service of possession to Mario Mandzukic.

Jordan Henderson on the other hand, has often came in for some criticism, even by his own fans. Seen as the natural successor to the Liverpool captaincy after Steven Gerrard, they were big boots to fill and he is often picked out for poor performances and sideways passing.

But under the influence of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, he has become a key cog in the team to - like Modric - get the ball to the bigger name stars of the team. Again, in an England shirt he has offered the same, but tonight could be a defining moment as he lines up against Modric AND Ivan Rakitic of Barcelona.

[11 July 2018 13:39 · Molly Hudson]

  ↵Fancy some more motivation for an England win, and football to come home? Well Parliament are set to debate a bank holiday if England can go on and win the tournament...

[11 July 2018 13:49 · Molly Hudson]

Could this World Cup break this particular record? A certain Harry Maguire might like to get his head on another one this evening. 

[11 July 2018 14:04 · Molly Hudson]

Jesse Lingard - England's Secret Weapon?

The thought of a player that refers to himself as JLingz sets something of an uneasy feeling into the minds and stomachs of a middle-aged England fan. But despite the goal celebrations, clothing range, and social media activity, the actual quality and determination of Lingard's contribution to this World Cup may have been overlooked.

His pass accuracy has been second to none as these stats from WhoScored demonstrate:

• vs. Tunisia - 96.4%
• vs. Panama - 93.9%
• vs. Colombia - 90.9%
• vs. Sweden - 93.5%

Add to that he is leading the way in terms of distance covered too, against Sweden he travelled 12.01 km over a kilometre further than his nearest teammate, Kieran Trippier (10.72km). We already know Croatia will target Harry Kane, and have also highlighted the talent of Raheem Sterling, so will that leave Lingard to shine in the biggest game of his career so far?

[11 July 2018 14:15 · Molly Hudson]

Fabian Delph, John Stones, Danny Rose, Kyle Walker, Harry Maguire and Jamie Vardy. What do they all have in common? Yorkshire. The county responsible for over a quarter of our World Cup stars...Colin Drury investigates.

[11 July 2018 14:28 · Molly Hudson]

Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Gary Cahill may return from the World Cup with some new faces at Stamford Bridge. Just as likely of course, is a winners medal in their luggage too.

[11 July 2018 14:36 · Molly Hudson]

2008 - 4-1 victory for England 

2009 - 5-1 victory for England

2017 ? 

[11 July 2018 14:46 · Molly Hudson]

'It’s coming home. But sadly not in Westbury, it would seem, because the council doesn’t have a sense of humour. What harm was it doing?' asks fan

England flag causes controversy on Westbury White Horse:

[11 July 2018 14:49 · Molly Hudson]

Some things are bigger than football, but we can still watch it right?