MAND OF GOD KO’S LIONS
Heartbreak for nation as Mario leaves it late
THE dream is over. The wait goes on.
Fifty-two years and counting... England are out of the World Cup, having had the prize of a first final appearance since 1966 snatched away from them in the 109th minute of a pulsating contest.
Mario Mandzukic was the man who stuck a dagger through the hearts of the nation, losing John Stones to sweep past Jordan Pickford.
His winner earned Croatia a first appearance in football’s biggest game – against France on Sunday – and ultimately they deserved their triumph.
Gareth Southgate’s young side fought like the brave Lions they are but it was not to be.
Tiring
An extraordinary journey has come to a agonising but noble end.
At half-time, the home of football had believed. Oh, how we believed after a commanding display.
Kieran Trippier fired England into a fifth-minute lead with a Beckham-esque free-kick and there should have been more goals.
The clock ticked. Slowly. Far too slowly. Half an hour left, 25 minutes. England were tiring, hanging on, defending the slenderest of leads.
And then after 67 minutes, reality proved the most unwelcome intruder with Ivan Perisic beating Kyle Walker to a Danjel Vrsaljko cross.
England somehow survived until 90 minutes and then saw Vrsaljko brilliantly clear off the line from Stones seven minutes into extra time.
That’s how close the Three Lions came to making history.
Pickford excelled to bravely deny Mandzukic at point blank range in the 105th minute only for the Juventus forward to have the final word.
England go out with their heads held high. Never mind bending it like Beckham, a whole generation of football fans will be practising the Trippier twirler now.
The wing-back has been outstanding throughout the tournament, delivering a spate of quality crosses and set-pieces. His fifth minute free-kick topped the lot.
Croatia captain Luka Modric was penalised just outside the ‘D’ for bringing down Dele Alli and Trippier inflicted maximum damage with a right-foot curler over the defensive wall and past a startled Danijel Subasic.
Some of England’s football in the opening period was irresistible and they could have been out of sight at half-time.
The “unmarkable” Harry Maguire headed just wide after 14 minutes, Jesse Lingard flashed a drive inches past the post and Harry Kane will rue two chances that got away on the half-hour mark.
Spirit
It was a very different story on the restart. England’s defiance never wavered but Croatia dominated.
Kyle Walker typified the spirit running through the side in the 64th minute.
Perisic’s goalbound shot, caught him right where it hurts.
He fell to the turf in agony but then got up to head a ball away before pain got the better of him.
His courage went unrewarded with the outstanding Perisic equalising in the 68th minute.
The Inter Milan midfielder nipped in ahead of Walker to meet Vrsaljko’s deep cross with a lunging foot, giving Pickford no chance.
England were rattled and were fortunate to escape in the 73 minute when that man Perisic struck the inside of the post following confusion in the Three Lions’ defence.
Suddenly, Pickford was making bad decisions and the understanding of those in front of him broke down.
The match had been turned on its head. Now it was Croatia who looked more energised, driven and the more likely winners with Modric popping up here, there and everywhere.
And so it’s Croatia who face France in the final with England heading to St Petersburg for a third-placed play-off against Belgium.