On this day in 2018, England’s hopes of lifting the World Cup were dashed in a heartbreaking semi-final clash against Croatia. After a thrilling journey to the final four, Gareth Southgate’s youthful squad succumbed to a 2-1 extra-time defeat, leaving the nation in a state of disappointment.
The Three Lions had arrived in Russia with no overwhelming expectations. But, their performances ignited the nation, and a remarkable run to the semi-finals ignited genuine hope of ending a long wait for major silverware. It had been over half a century since England had last tasted victory on the world stage. The glorious 1966 World Cup victory, spearheaded by the legendary Sir Alf Ramsey, seemed like a distant memory. The near misses of 1990 and 1996 had only increased the yearning for a return to the pinnacle of football.
A Run to Remember: England’s Road to Moscow
England’s journey to the semi-finals was a testament to their resilience and determination. They emerged from Group G as runners-up to Belgium. A nail-biting penalty shootout victory over Colombia in the round of 16 sent the nation into a frenzy. The quarter-finals saw England dispatch Sweden with a comfortable 2-0 victory, setting up a mouthwatering showdown with Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
A Disappointing End to a Remarkable Journey
England fans dared to dream of a final clash with either France or Belgium. The dream was briefly a reality when a stunning free-kick from Kieran Trippier gave England a fifth-minute lead. The lead held for a significant portion of the match, but Croatia, fuelled by the equaliser from Ivan Perisic in the 68th minute, took the game into extra time. It was during this crucial period that Mario Mandzukic struck the decisive blow, sending England crashing out of the tournament.
The emotions on the faces of the English players and their manager, Gareth Southgate, were a mixture of disappointment and pride. Southgate, despite the defeat, was full of praise for his players who had exceeded expectations. He acknowledged the significant strides that his young team had made during the tournament. England had broken down several barriers and proved that they were a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.
England’s World Cup dream was over, but the future looked bright. The team regrouped for the third-place playoff against Belgium, where they were once again defeated. Despite the setback, the Croatians went on to reach the final, only to be defeated by France 4-2. It was a bittersweet end to what had been an incredible journey.
Fast forward three years, and England were back on the world stage at the delayed Euro 2020. A remarkable run to the final saw them once again lose on penalties, this time to Italy. While the wait for a major trophy continues, England’s progress under Southgate has been undeniable, providing a glimmer of hope for the future.
