For all the celebration of this new-look England side, Wednesday night’s 2-1 semi-final defeat by Croatia was characterised by an old failing: a refusal to adjust tactics to nullify the strength of the opposition and, more specifically, an insistence upon leaving two men upfront while being overrun in midfield. England started excellently, but their tactical inflexibility cost them a place in Sunday’s final.

Gareth Southgate’s highly unusual 3-3-2-2 formation is essentially defined by two major features, which both contributed to England’s impressive first half performance.

The first is the presence of both Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard, natural number 10s fielded in conventional midfield roles and allowed to attack simultaneously and swap passes between the lines. On three occasions in the first half, Alli and Lingard combined dangerously in behind the Croatia midfield. The first example came inside three minutes, when Lingard found Alli, he was bundled over by Luka Modric, and Kieran Trippier expertly curled home the free-kick.

Croatia exposed England's lack of width and midfield strength (www.sharemytactics.com)

The second occasion came after half an hour, when Alli found Lingard, who poked the ball through to Harry Kane, who might have squared to Raheem Sterling, but instead had two attempts on goal, the second hitting the post. The assistant referee eventually wrongly flagged for offside, but a VAR check would have seen the goal awarded, and this was England’s best opportunity to put the game to bed. The third occasion, meanwhile, came five minutes later, when a square pass from Alli found Lingard in space on the edge of the box. Lingard took his time, picked his spot – and curled the ball well wide.

England vs Croatia: Story of the game Show all 190 1 /190 England vs Croatia: Story of the game England vs Croatia: Story of the game England and Croatian fans pose in Red Square ahead of the match Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Fans in the stands before the semi-final Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Mario Mandzukic in action with John Stones REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Kieran Trippier Goal Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Raheem Sterling battles for the ball PA England vs Croatia: Story of the game Kieran Trippier of England celebrates Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game England's Jordan Pickford makes a save from Croatia's Ivan Perisic REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game England's Kieran Trippier celebrates scoring REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Kieran Trippier after the first goal of the game Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic dives PA England vs Croatia: Story of the game Jordan Pickford celebrates Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game England's Kieran Trippier celebrates scoring their first goal with Harry Kane REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Mario Mandzukic in action with John Stones REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game England Celebrate REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game England's Jordan Pickford in action with Croatia's Ante Rebic REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Up and over for Pickford REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Danijel Subasic of Croatia makes a save on Harry Kane of England Getty Images England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatia attempt to fight back Tim Goode/PA Wire England vs Croatia: Story of the game Pickford save REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Kyle Walker goes for the head Getty Images England vs Croatia: Story of the game Jordan Pickford of England collides with Ante Rebic of Croatia Getty Images England vs Croatia: Story of the game Jordan Pickford takes a stroll REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Danijel Subasic of Croatia makes a save on Harry Kane of England Getty Images England vs Croatia: Story of the game MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 11: Ivan Rakitic of Croatia controls the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between England and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 11, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) Matthias Hangst Getty Images England vs Croatia: Story of the game England manager Gareth Southgate (left) speaks with fourth offical Bjorn Kuipers on the touchline during the FIFA World Cup, Semi Final match at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday July 11, 2018. See PA story WORLDCUP Croatia. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use. No use with any unofficial 3rd party logos. No manipulation of images. No video emulation. Adam Davy PA England vs Croatia: Story of the game MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 11: Dele Alli of England is challenged by Marcelo Brozovic of Croatia during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between England and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 11, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) Dan Mullan Getty Images England vs Croatia: Story of the game England's Harry Maguire (right) speaks with match referee Cuneyt Cakir (left) during the FIFA World Cup, Semi Final match at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday July 11, 2018. See PA story WORLDCUP Croatia. Photo credit should read: Aaron Chown/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use. No use with any unofficial 3rd party logos. No manipulation of images. No video emulation. Aaron Chown PA England vs Croatia: Story of the game MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 11: Harry Kane of England wins a header over Sime Vrsaljko of Croatia during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between England and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 11, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) Alexander Hassenstein Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 11: Kyle Walker of England wins a header over Ivan Rakitic of Croatia during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between England and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 11, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) Alexander Hassenstein Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 11: Marcelo Brozovic (L) of Croatia and Harry Kane of England fight for the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between England and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 11, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images) MB Media Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Soccer Football - World Cup - Semi Final - Croatia v England - Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia - July 11, 2018 England fans during the match REUTERS/Carl Recine CARL RECINE REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Soccer Football - World Cup - Semi Final - Croatia v England - Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia - July 11, 2018 Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic during the match REUTERS/Carl Recine CARL RECINE REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Soccer Football - World Cup - Semi Final - Croatia v England - Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia - July 11, 2018 Croatia's Ivan Rakitic shoots at goal REUTERS/Damir Sagolj DAMIR SAGOLJ REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Soccer Football - World Cup - Semi Final - Croatia v England - Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia - July 11, 2018 Croatia's Ivan Rakitic remonstrates with referee Cuneyt Cakir REUTERS/Carl Recine CARL RECINE REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 11: Harry Kane (not pictured) of England hits thre post during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between England and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 11, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) Dan Mullan Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Referee Cuneyt Cakir talks to Kyle Walker Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game England's Ashley Young takes a throw REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Kyle Walker and John Stones in action with Croatia's Domagoj Vida REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game England's Raheem Sterling in action with Croatia's Ivan Rakitic REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatia's Ivan Rakitic in action with England's Kyle Walker REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Jordan Pickford of England during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between England and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatia team group. Top Row (left to right) Dejan Lovren, Ivan Strinic, Mario Mandzukic, Ante Rebic, Danijel Subasic and Ivan Perisic. Bottom Row (left to right) Marcelo Brozovic, Domagoj Vida, Ivan Rakitic, Sime Vrsaljko and Luka Modric Tim Goode/PA Wire England vs Croatia: Story of the game General view inside the stadium Getty Images England vs Croatia: Story of the game Ivan Rakitic of Croatia confronts referee Cuneyt Getty Images England vs Croatia: Story of the game hairman of the Football Association Greg Clarke, Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev and FIFA president Gianni Infantino during the match REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Ivan Rakitic of Croatia and Luka Modric of Croatia confront referee Cuneyt Cakir Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Fans in Millennium Square, Leeds REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Zlatko Dalic, Head coach of Croatia looks on Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatia's Luka Modric at half time REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Luka Modric concerned for Croatia REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Ivan Rakitic of Croatia confronts referee Getty Images England vs Croatia: Story of the game Television monitors inside the stadium REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Harry Kane in action REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Harry Kane in action with Ivan Strinic REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game England fans in Moscow Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Harry Kane falls PA England vs Croatia: Story of the game Dele Alli header REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Southgate looks on Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Marcelo Brozovic heads it Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatia fans in Zagreb REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game England's Kyle Walker sit on the floor PA England vs Croatia: Story of the game Sterling v Strinic REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Soccer Football - World Cup - Semi Final - Croatia v England - Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia - July 11, 2018 England fans during the match REUTERS/Damir Sagolj DAMIR SAGOLJ REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Soccer Football - World Cup - Semi Final - Croatia v England - Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia - July 11, 2018 England's Kyle Walker in action with Croatia's Ante Rebic REUTERS/Christian Hartmann CHRISTIAN HARTMANN REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 11: Jesse Lingard of England is challenged by Ivan Rakitic and Marcelo Brozovic of Croatia during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between England and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 11, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) Clive Rose Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Kyle Walker of England lies on the pitch injured Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Harry Kane in action with Croatia's Marcelo Brozovic and Ivan Rakitic REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game England's Harry Maguire and Croatia's Luka Modr PA England vs Croatia: Story of the game England's Kieran Trippier and Croatia's Ivan Rakitic battle PA England vs Croatia: Story of the game Dele Alli of England looks on Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Jordan Pickford of England kicks the ball away Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Ashley Young of England looks on Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Sime Vrsaljko of Croatia challenges Raheem Sterling Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game England's Jordan Pickford during the match REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Gareth Southgate leads REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatia fans REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Ivan Strinic of Croatia is challenged by Kieran Trippier Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game ngland's Harry Kane in action with Croatia's Dejan Lovren REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game England's Raheem Sterling in action with Croatia's Sime Vrsaljko REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Harry Kane of England lies on the pitch Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Modric in peril Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Vrsaljko with Sterling REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Pickford directs REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Kyle Walker of England clashes with Ivan Perisic Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Throw in by Ashley Young REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Luka Modric of Croatia pleads Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Kane fights for the ball REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Ref stops play PA England vs Croatia: Story of the game Ivan Perisic goal Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Kane gets thirsty REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Ivan Perisic celebrates the equaliser Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Walker injury time PA England vs Croatia: Story of the game Ivan Perisic gets round Pickford REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Right through Pickford Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Ivan Perisic gets Croatia's first Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Ivan Perisic celebrates his goal Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Ivan Perisic scores Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Soccer Football - World Cup - Semi Final - Croatia v England - Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia - July 11, 2018 Croatia's Ivan Perisic shoots at goal and hits the post REUTERS/Damir Sagolj DAMIR SAGOLJ REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 11: Marcus Rashford of England prepares to be substituted on during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between England and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 11, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Shaun Botterill Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Soccer Football - World Cup - Semi Final - Croatia v England - Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia - July 11, 2018 Croatia's Ivan Perisic shoots at goal and hits the post REUTERS/Damir Sagolj DAMIR SAGOLJ REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Strinic skills Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Crouching PIckford REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Perisic celebrates Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatia hit the post REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Three lions roar from the stadium REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game It all falls down PA England vs Croatia: Story of the game Catch by Pickford REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Southgate enthusiasm Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Southgate unsure PA England vs Croatia: Story of the game Birdseye view Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Kane anxious PA England vs Croatia: Story of the game Ivan Perisic of Croatia scores his team's first goal Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Vida slides along Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Southgate contemplates the outcome PA England vs Croatia: Story of the game Ivan Perisic of Croatia scores Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatia celebrates a goal REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatia at half-time REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Southgate checks the clock Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Southgate watches his team REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Kane looks on Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Pickford jumps for the ball REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Pickford holds out his arms REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Kane from behind Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatia Manager REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatia go for the ball REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Southgate applauds the teams REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Extra time is upon us REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Kane battles PA England vs Croatia: Story of the game Brozovic flies Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Brozovic and Kane battle Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Modric takes the ball Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Perisic in action REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Captain Modric takes command Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Pickford shouts it out PA England vs Croatia: Story of the game Despair form the fans PA England vs Croatia: Story of the game Southgate considers his team Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Injury time Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Sub time Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Injury checks by the ref REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatian fans REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Danny Rose tackled REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Dier gets ready Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Dier gets steady Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Dier comes on REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Zlatko Dalic directs Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game FIFA President attends the matchDier Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Pickford in action Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Dalic fury Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Vrsaljko clears the ball off the line REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Stones heads the ball Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Dele Alli challenged Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatia's second goal REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatia takes the lead REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game England huddle PA England vs Croatia: Story of the game England desperate REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Southgate team talk REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Crotia huddle REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Crotia Score REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Crotia celebrate REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Crotia in action REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Southgate calls out REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game England chance Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Trippier injury Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatia 2 up REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game England unsure REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Pickford dejected REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Vardy in despair PA England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatian joy REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatia celebrate 2-1 Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatian fan looking tense REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatia celebrates going ahead Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game England lose 2-1 Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game England abandon hope REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game England loss REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Final whistle Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Kane is coming home REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game They think it's all over Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatia win 2-1 REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Southgate consols Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game England and Croatia managers pay their respects REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Kane upset Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Pickford gives up Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game Kane dejected REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Rashford out Getty England vs Croatia: Story of the game England fall PA England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatian pride REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Southgate huddle REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatia celebrate a 2-1 win REUTERS England vs Croatia: Story of the game Croatia celebrate PA England vs Croatia: Story of the game Going home, goodbye Moscow REUTERS

The other defining feature of England’s attack is their sheer speed, and after Trippier’s early opener meant Croatia pushed forward, England’s attackers were afforded space to break into. The chief threat was Sterling, starting deeper than Kane but always running in behind, and he terrified the immobile centre-back pairing of Dejan Lovren, who resorted to cynical fouls, and Domagoj Vida, who never seemed comfortable on the turn. Sterling sped past Vida dangerously after six minutes, forced both Vida and Sime Vrsaljko into crucial ‘last man’ interventions within the next 10 minutes, threatened to bundle his way towards goal shortly afterwards, and beat Lovren to a ball into the right-back zone despite giving the Liverpool centre-back a ten-yard head-start. He was consistently England’s most dangerous player, with Kane rarely sprinting in behind, and increasingly resorting to hopeful balls for others, seemingly unable to keep pace with attacks.

Croatia didn’t react well to their early concession. For a side blessed with ball-playing midfielders of the calibre of Modric and Ivan Raktitic, their first half performance was surprisingly frantic, as if Zlatko Dalic’s side believed they had five minutes, rather than 85 minutes, to find an equaliser. They were hurried and sloppy with their distribution, and improved after the break when they became more stereotypically themselves: calming the tempo, holding onto the ball for longer periods and – most crucially – working the ball from flank to flank.

The clear weakness of England’s system is the lack of numbers down the wings, which meant Croatia’s full-back duo of Vrsaljko and Ivan Strinic were unmarked. With England’s wing-backs pinned back by Ante Rebic and Ivan Perisic, England’s three central midfielders were tasked with sliding across the pitch laterally to shut down Croatia’s full-backs, while also having a responsibility to watch Modric and Rakitic.

Sterling was England's best player again but Southgate could easily have moved him (EPA)

This proved too much, and quick diagonal balls out wide, most frequently from Rakitic to Vrsaljko, caused England serious problems. This shouldn’t have come as a surprise: Vrsaljko’s overlapping combined with Modric’s invention was Croatia’s greatest source of creativity in their quarter-final against Russia, and while Vrsaljko had been considered an injury doubt, England should have had a plan to reformat the side and shut him down.

The closest man to Vrsaljko was usually Alli, whose primary responsibility was Modric, and gradually he became overrun. Croatia’s equaliser felt predictable: Rakitic spread the play to Vrsaljko, in oceans of space, and he had time to steady himself and cross for Perisic, who finished in impressively acrobatic fashion.

England desperately needed a left-sided player to track, or pin back, Vrsaljko: Sterling could have played that role, as could his replacement Marcus Rashford. Instead England continued to play two upfront. A complete formation change wasn’t necessary: England could have happily allowed the less threatening Strinic time on the ball, just as France had played a lopsided system and happily invited passes to Belgium’s Nacer Chadli the previous evening. But playing with two upfront and leaving a dangerous Croatian player unmarked cost England defensively, and offered very little going forward.

In truth, neither manager attempted to influence the course of the game with tactical changes, at least until Mario Mandzukic’s winner in the second half of extra-time. Only one substitute, Rashford, was summoned before the end of 90 minutes. Then, it was about replacing tired legs, Dalic shutting down the game after going 2-1 up, and England throwing on Jamie Vardy, a speed merchant, when Croatia were defending deep for the first time.

Southgate may well regret not reacting after the tide had turned (Reuters)