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Cape Town - Croatia beat England 2-1 in the Soccer World Cup semi-final - sending Twitter into a frenzy.
READ: As it happened: Croatia 2-1 England
The Three Lions were hoping to reach their first final since 1966 and could not have started the match any better.
Kieran Trippier's early sublime free-kick gave the 10 000-strong England fans at the Luzhniki Stadium something to scream about with his curling effort hitting the back of the net.
However, Croatia gained momentum in the second-half and clawed their way back into the encounter courtesy of a Ivan Perisic strike.
England were rattled but held the Luka Modric-lead side to the final whistle to see the match go into extra-time.
Croatia continued to probe and following a lack of concentration in defence, Mario Mandzukic pounced on a lose ball and hit a left-footed strike beyond Jordan Pickford's reach.
England will now meet Belgium for the 3rd Place encounter on Saturday, July 14 (kick-off at 16:00 SA time).
Meanwhile, the final will be played on Sunday, July 15 between France and Croatia (kick-off at 17:00 SA time).
Why can't we be excited Roy? Why can't we be happy? We loved every minute of it! ?????? ?????? pic.twitter.com/F5rNH6wcHu
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) July 11, 2018
Utterly choked, but this young side gave absolutely everything. It’s a huge step forward and they’ll only get better in the future. They can hold their heads high, they did our country proud. Congratulations to Croatia.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 11, 2018
Gutted doesn't even cover it! It has been a privilege watching this #ENG team. Must credit #CRO finishing top of #ARg group, win 2 penalty shootouts, comeback from 1-0 down tonight. Top top team. Well done #ENG for all the pride you've given the nation??
— Eniola Aluko (@EniAlu) July 11, 2018
The England squad have given the whole country a buzz for 3 weeks, but Croatia getting to the final with a population of 4 million is extraordinary. #ENGCRO #WorldCup
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) July 11, 2018
108:03 - Mario Mandzukic's goal was the latest scored by #CRO and the latest conceded by #ENG in a World Cup game (108:03). Epic. #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/zFVPvpQVvG
— OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) July 11, 2018
FWCexit pic.twitter.com/Z2xlKtXUhl
— Sportbilly (@sportbillysays) July 11, 2018
The 2018 FIFA #WorldCupFinal:
— FIFA World Cup ?? (@FIFAWorldCup) July 11, 2018
???? @FrenchTeam vs @HNS_CFF ????#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/r7EwuZXLpw
?????????????? Proud of you, lads. ??#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/jKXuYOXNyP
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 11, 2018
Best team won. Sometimes it's that simple. But we had a right good go at it. #TSworldcup #ENGCRO
— talkSPORTDrive (@talkSPORTDrive) July 11, 2018
???? "I just had the most amazing dream ... Croatia reached the World Cup final" ?? pic.twitter.com/lrgVBJRcGy
— UEFA Nations League (@UEFAEURO) July 11, 2018
Absolutely gutted for them ??
— Laura Robson (@laurarobson5) July 11, 2018
This young England team will learn from tonight and they will grow from it. Southgate and his troops will have done their nation proud and, given the average age, they will be a force at the next few tournaments #ENG
— Julia Stuart (@JuliaStuart_SA) July 11, 2018
Well done Croatia! England stopped playing after they scored. Great World Cup though! Be proud! Now Lovren, win this thing! Warrior tonight!
— John Arne Riise (@JARiiseOfficial) July 11, 2018
France and Croatia have the best pairing in the mid
— Lennox Bacela (@lennoxbacela) July 11, 2018
360 minutes, 2 penalty kick shootouts & a comeback in a semifinal. ???? has absolutely earned their place in the #WorldCup final. ????
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) July 11, 2018
What a return from Croatia,congrats to them, but what a bummer for the England players, staff and great fans what i said before against the run of play that Croatia won for ‘65 England were there the better team but that doesn’t say that u will win the game ???? #welldoneengland
— Patrick Kluivert (@PatrickKluivert) July 11, 2018
That face says it all! ?? I ruled them out thinking the OTs would eventually wear on them but this is why I love sports. Congrats #CRO Keep on proving us all wrong. #worldcup https://t.co/OBtgoHNEjf
— Heather Mitts (@heathermitts) July 11, 2018
England fans right now. ???? pic.twitter.com/jjtmMz0maF
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 11, 2018
To everyone who supported us.
— England (@England) July 11, 2018
To everyone who believed this time was different.
To everyone who wasn't afraid to dream.
To everyone who knows this is only the beginning.
Thank you. We hope we made you proud. #threelions pic.twitter.com/jH8lYMB2E0
It's all set: we'll play Croatia in the final of the @FIFAWorldCup on Sunday! ??????????#FiersdetreBleus #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/e9fZKJSqyM
— French Team (@FrenchTeam) July 11, 2018
England reserves v Belgium reserves. The revenge.
— John Bennett (@JohnBennettBBC) July 11, 2018
Gutted for you @england but you have made the whole country very proud ????
— Theo Walcott (@theowalcott) July 11, 2018
Happiness in the journey! We can't only be happy if we win. Proud of this team. Proud of our country. That was beautiful ???????????
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) July 11, 2018
It's coming home
— hαssα?™???? (@h__507) July 11, 2018
It's coming ho
It's coming
It's comi
It's co
It's Cro
It's Croatia
#CROvENG
1982: ?
— FIFA World Cup ?? (@FIFAWorldCup) July 11, 2018
1986: ?
1990: ?
1994: ?
1998: ?
2002: ?
2006: ?
2010: ?
2014: ?
2018: ?@Inter have now also had a player in the #WorldCupFinal in every #WorldCup since 1982! pic.twitter.com/zFYHcFKPzl
Tell it like it is! #Football #CROENG #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/I9y2tmhN8l
— Morgan Piek (@MorganPiek) July 11, 2018
"Well, at least I'll be able to put my own bins out now." ??
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) July 11, 2018
What a story it's been for Harry Maguire at this World Cup. ? pic.twitter.com/UJwQ4KHYkF
Let’s not forget England still need to play Belgium (again) in that game just everyone loves to be in...
— Carly Adno (@CarlyAdno226) July 11, 2018
“My wife is on the laptop right now booking flights home...”
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) July 11, 2018
These England fans in Moscow are heartbroken at full-time ??#WorldCup | #TSWorldCup pic.twitter.com/L7J1GadLwg
