The dejected England team knocked out of the World Cup were up early this morning and on the team bus headed for the play-off.

They will face Belgium on Saturday, aiming for third place, after losing 2-1 to Croatia in extra-time in the semi-final.

Kieran Trippier put the Three Lions ahead but goals from Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic sealed Croatia's place in Sunday's final against France.

It was a dream start, as England took the lead in the 5th minute with a stunning free kick from Kieran Trippier after Dele Alli was brought down just outside the box.

Image: Kieran Trippier scored an early free-kick

Image: The dream start caused elation at the screening in Hyde Park

The Tottenham defender's curling shot - reminiscent of a David Beckham strike - flew into the top corner and sparked jubilant scenes among England fans who had packed pubs and fan-zones across the country.


The goal was followed by a series of chances for England as Croatia struggled with the pace of the Three Lions' attack.

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Harry Kane hit the post with a rebounded shot at a tight angle after his first effort was saved by Croatia's goalkeeper Danijel Subasic.

Minutes earlier Kane had been left one-on-one with Subasic but put his strike wide, although he had been flagged offside.

Jesse Lingard also went close after finding space at the edge of the box but his shot crept narrowly wide.

Croatia edged back into the game near the end of the first half and defender Dejan Lovren felt he should have had a penalty on the stroke of half time.

Lovren got in a tangle with Harry Maguire in England's box following a free-kick but the referee refused to give a spot-kick after consulting with VAR.

Image: Harry Kane had a series of chances

England continued to look strong at the start of the second half and Kane nearly got on the end of a terrific cross on the volley by Trippier.

Raheem Sterling, who was a constant threat throughout the game, had a decent shout for a penalty after he appeared to be tripped by Domagoj Vida.

Soon after Kyle Walker bravely blocked a shot by Ivan Perisic that looked to be flying into the net.

Croatia drew level in the 68th minute after Perisic fired in a shot after a cross from defender Sime Vrsaljko - setting up a nervous final 20 minutes for supporters as they saw England's slender lead disappear.

Image: Croatia's Ivan Perisic celebrates his second half goal

Croatia nearly took the lead four minutes later after sloppy defending allowed Perisic to nip in before his shot hit the post.

After a period of pressure from Croatia, Lingard nearly put England back in the lead with a strike across the face of goal.

But Croatia continued to pose a threat and a half-volley from striker Mario Mandzukic forced a great save from England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Image: Mario Mandzukic scored in extra-time for Croatia

As the game entered extra-time, England came agonisingly close to taking the lead when John Stones's header from a corner was cleared off the line.

Pickford, outstanding throughout the tournament, produced another sensational save at close range from Mandzukic.

Then came the moment that England fans were dreading: Juventus striker Mandzukic made no mistake in the second-half of extra time, striking a low left-footed shot past Pickford.

The 52-year wait for another major trophy goes on for the Three Lions and it will be Croatia who play France in Sunday's final.

England will now have to pick themselves up to face Belgium in the third place playoff on Saturday in Saint Petersburg.

Right now, however, that prospect will be sickening for the England players.

Some of the squad posted on social media shortly after the final whistle.

It hurts a lot. It will hurt for a while. We can be proud and we'll be back. Thanks for all your support. #ThreeLions #ENG #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/mJKOWtAOlK — Harry Kane (@HKane) July 11, 2018

Devastated. Absolutely gutted. Thanks to the fans for your incredible support. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🦁❤️ pic.twitter.com/8fiWVdXrAY — Harry Maguire (@HarryMaguire93) July 11, 2018

Was an honour to represent my country at the world cup. The squad we have is a great bunch of lads who are willing to learn and give everything and we can hold our heads high. Thank you to everyone who supported our journey 👏🏾 we dont stop here! ⬆ #ThreeLions 🦁🦁🦁 pic.twitter.com/QuZ6XOmgOj — Jesse Lingard (@JesseLingard) July 11, 2018

Harry Kane tweeted: "It hurts a lot. It will hurt for a while. We can be proud and we'll be back. Thanks for all your support."

Harry Maguire said he was "devastated" but thanked fans for their "incredible support".

Marcus Rashford posted: "Really tough right now but this team's special.. we'll be back. Hopefully this is the start of the future."

His Manchester United teammate, Jesse Lingard, added: "The squad we have is a great bunch of lads who are willing to learn and give everything and we can hold our heads high."

“The biggest thing is when you see the reaction of the supporters at the end. That tells you what the players have given – not just tonight but throughout the tournament.”#threelions⁠ ⁠pic.twitter.com/C3OLyM6NHm — England (@England) July 11, 2018

Manager Gareth Southgate, who has had praised heaped on him for his calm leadership, admitted the team struggled in the second half after such a positive and dominant first 45 minutes.

"We lost a little bit of control with the ball and started to go a bit longer... you're ahead in a huge game and nobody knows how you're going to react," he told ITV.

"There were a few waves of attack we didn't quite defend in the composed manner we have, but great credit to the players because they recovered that in extra-time and I felt took control of the game again.

"On good chances we've probably had as many as Croatia have. It's a blow to concede as late as we did.

Southgate said that despite the massive disappointment the tournament would serve as a learning experience for his young team.

To everyone who supported us.



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 — England (@England) July 11, 2018

"We know the team we brought was the most inexperienced in the competition but we gain that experience from matches in this tournament and performing under pressure."

England's official Twitter said Russia 2018 was "only the beginning", adding: "We hope we made your proud".