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 15:00 · Jack Watson]

Waistcoat Wednesday

There's a rather odd fashion trend sweeping England at the moment, inspired by Gareth Southgate of all people. Waistcoat Wednesday is taking place at the moment and people across the country are arriving at work sporting Southgate's trademark attire. 

"I'm no David Beckham," the England manager told the BBC. "I'm slightly concerned, because as a centre-half who took a lot of knocks to the head I'm not normally synonymous with being a fashion icon."

Here's a look at some of the best attempts of people mimicking Southgate's signature look.

[11 July 2018 15:00 · Molly Hudson]

England fans are in full voice ahead of this evening's game. We are just 4 hours from kick off! 

[11 July 2018 15:10 · Jack Watson]

This one's for you

Jonathan Liew explains how tonight's semi-final, England's first for 28 years, is for you.

"It’s for St Etienne and Shizuoka, Bloemfontein and Manaus. It’s for Muller and Maradona, Bergkamp and Brolin, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, Suarez and Sigthorsson. It’s San Marino in eight seconds, it’s McClaren under his umbrella, it’s Harry Kane taking corners, it’s Lampard’s goal bouncing over the line, it’s Pirlo doing the Panenka, it’s Beckham’s metatarsal, it’s Rooney on a stretcher, it’s nice to see your own fans booing you."

[11 July 2018 15:14 · Molly Hudson]

The football seems to be bringing out the best in everyone - well almost. Virgin Trains are the latest to have caught some Southgate cheer, offering to lift all ticket restrictions so fans can get home from work in time for the game. Bravo - let's hope they're all running on time!

[11 July 2018 15:20 · Jack Watson]

Making plans to watch the match? Try top this.

English golfer Justin Rose has a plan to make sure he can watch England's World Cup semi-final this evening, although catching Sunday's final could prove more of an issue.

Rose is competing in the Scottish Open at Gullane this week and tees off at 1:30pm in the traditional pre-tournament pro-am.

These events can be long affairs but the 2016 Olympic champion will take a ruthless approach to make sure he is watching at 7pm.

"My playing partners better pick up if they are having a tough hole, because I'm walking off the course at 6:30, however many holes we play," Rose joked.

"I'll watch it where I'm staying tonight with my family. My little boy, who is nine, is really, really, really into it. My joy for this World Cup is watching him suffer through it like we've all done for years.

"Obviously it's been fun to watch England make a good run through. If you had said a month ago, right, Croatia in the semis, you get a crack at France; 90 minutes are like 18 holes in match play, anyone can win."

[11 July 2018 15:26 · Molly Hudson]

The support from various sports continues for the England side...

[11 July 2018 15:30 · Jack Watson]

Three Lions gets royal approval

When Prince Harry was asked if football is indeed coming home he gave Gareth Southgate's side the royal seal of approval. "Three Lions, most definitely," said Prince Harry when asked whether football is coming home while visiting the Irish President in Dublin. 

[11 July 2018 15:38 · Molly Hudson]

The Independent has the prescription for anyone wanting to be in Russia for the culmination of the 2018 World Cup. But once the semi-final against Croatia kicks off, and it becomes clearer where England will be playing, demand will surge and prices rise. So book by 7pm on Wednesday evening to lock into some excellent prices.

[11 July 2018 15:40 · Jack Watson]

  ↵Regardless of what happens, Southgate and England are already history makers

Miguel Delaney looks at how this England side have already turned around the horrors of the past and are carving out a bright future.  

"The regular calamities that have afflicted England for two decades have been blown away by competence, by composure, by intelligence - by rigour."

[11 July 2018 15:45 · Jack Watson]

The key battles

There's fascinating clashes all over the pitch and we've picked out for particularly interesting one's to keep an eye on.

SPOILER: It features Luka Modric and Harry Kane.