England are out of the World Cup.
Well, they have to play Belgium on Saturday in the third-place play-off game, but they won’t be contesting the final against France. They lost Wednesday’s dramatic semi-final to Croatia 2-1 after extra-time, and the wait for football to come home goes on.
Kieran Trippier’s brilliant free-kick gave Gareth Southgate’s side the lead early in the game, and were the better side for an hour of the tie. But Croatia suddenly sparked into life.
Ivan Perisic scored with an improvised finish after 68-minutes, England began to look rattled and their composure went. Both sides had their chances to win the tie late on, but it went into extra-time.
Mario Mandzukic settled the tie 10-minutes from time to send the tiny nation into their first World Cup final. The Juventus forward ran in behind England defence and fired past Jordan Pickford.
Zero f**** given #worldcup #CROENG https://t.co/Tf2LNYtOmV
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) July 11, 2018
On ITV following the match, it got rather tense between Roy Keane and Ian Wright.
“Before the game, all the talk was about the final and France,” the former Manchester United and Ireland captain said.
“I made the point a few weeks ago, I know a bit tongue-in-cheek but you have to focus on one game and football’s coming home. I didn’t mind you being happy but you got carried away, planning the final and the parades. And I was right. You needed a reality check.”
Wright hit back.
“We wasn’t talking about the final, we were just having a laugh with you. We were happy! Why can’t we get excited?!”
The former Arsenal striker, egged on by Gary Neville, appeared to mock Keane’s accent. You can watch their heated conversation here:
Some people watching at home reckoned that Wright mocked Keane’s Cork accent:
https://twitter.com/IanStaunton/status/1017162119530340352
https://twitter.com/daithihartery/status/1017158665093238787
Keane & Wright just had a one-minute long, kindergarten-style argument in which they talked over each other without taking a breath, gradually raising their voices until they were almost yelling. Then Wright mimicked Roy’s accent, and Roy said ‘watch it’ with murder in his eyes.
— Fionn Davenport (@fionndavenport) July 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/StephRaine05/status/1017159791209340929
Roy Keane talking pure sense on ITV. Shows how limited Ian Wright is as a pundit when all he can do is mock Keane's accent.
— Only Juan Herrera (@EvenStevens316) July 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/Beckham_RF/status/1017158175303192577
