Defeat in semi-final against Croatia: painful process of learning England at the 2018 World Cup – FIFA World Cup ™

"Three Lions" Between Deception and Pride

"Young, Hungry, Pure" – The "Three Lions" consider the defeat in the World Cup semi-final against Croatia (1: 2 nV) as a process of Learning and confidence in the future. The disappointment is still huge, of course.

"This is devastating": England player after the half final lost.

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Midnight was gone long ago, Moscow local time, England was again overweight. As at the beginning of the game. However, that does not matter anymore, the semifinal was long lost for the Three Lions. But the fans have not spoiled the fun of this World Cup, as their team has finally come since 1990. The British fans have continued to sing and win the duel against the supporters of Croatia [19659007] "That the fans have waited so long for us is phenomenal," then thanked Jordan Henderson. It had been two hours and two hours more, since the Liverpool pro and his colleagues had come out of the locker room, their cocoon of frustration, and thanked the fans. Only, Henderson said: "It was disappointing not to be able to thank them for the win."

Muffin as a mbadage of the soul

Similarly, Kieran Trippier said that with his goal of free kick, he was hoping for something very important: "We tried to make the best possible for the whole nation. "We wanted to win for the fans, they spent so much money on the trip."

By saying this, he was holding a plastic wrapped muffin in his right hand and nibbling it as if it was a kind of mbadage ball. "Trippier was looking for words, holding the muffin, thinking, putting the candy in his jacket pocket and saying:" C & # 39; is devastating. "Thought again and became combative:" But this game we want to win. "Third place Saturday in St. Petersburg.

" Today was a wonderful opportunity "

Earlier , England coach Gareth Southgate had targeted this spirit while he was trying to compe the disappointment of retirement and the pride of what had been accomplished. However, regarding the match against Belgium, the coach said: "Nobody wants this match, and if things go as well as in the first period, then of course you want more, "said the coach. "Today was a wonderful opportunity." The occasion for the final.

However, after the head, his team had failed to make a move, as in the head of Harry Maguire (14th) or by a shot from Jesse Lingard (36th). "You do not often get such chances in the semifinals," said powerful defender Maguire. Croatia, however, according to the man from Leicester City, showed "how to build a safe game even under pressure".

Celebrated by fans still far from the final whistle: England coach Gareth Southgate.

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Southgate takes its place in Compared to the internationally inexperienced enemy troops but in protection: "The players could not have given more for your country." It did not work with great success, it was indeed the enemy. "Croatia has many more players and a lot more experience than us."

The result was the equalization of Ivan Perisic in the 68th minute. In overtime, goalkeeper Trippier later said that they had hoped to qualify for the penalty shootout against Colombia. But again beat the former Dortmunder and Wolfsburg Perisic. His draft allowed Mario Mandzukics to win the race ten minutes from the end.

"The second goal killed us, we could not come back," admits midfielder Henderson, a philosopher. "It hurts, but nothing in life is easy." And: "You learn mistakes and it's a learning process, we will come back stronger." Generally, said the 28-year-old, this World Cup is still "a positive experience".

"Torn Borders": Learning process for the young English team

According to Southgate 's interpretation: "We made a development", in team, but also in solo. And you have "demolished the limits", as in the first jump in the semi-final since 1990. To become a "winning team", you must also make painful experiences. In the end, however, they had shown "thrilling football" and, "We have developed further."

This meant above all for development since 2016, since the end of the group stage at the European Championships in France. Also meant Harry Kane. At the same time, the captain stressed, "We must and we will improve even more."

He does not say it, but he also applied to his own stop in the crucial phase of the tournament. For while the striker had met five times in the group stage, including three times against Panama, he then managed only in the second round against Colombia by penalty. Southgate protected his team leader. "It's a brilliant captain, our last weeks man."

"Do not wait another 28 years for a semi-final"

Kane himself was already looking ahead: Now it's important to "not wait another 28 years for a semifinal, we want to achieve our dreams. " The starting position is good: "A young team, to which nobody is expecting a title."

"Young, hungry, crazy, good chemistry." It was the vocabulary with which the Kanes, Hendersons, Trippers and Maguires mated in the Lushniku ​​on the team's bus path, after again thanking their fans long after the end Match. among the Croats, the door was still standing, it had already been dismantled in the English half by the Russian helpers. There was something symbolic about it. Encore Maguire: "We missed a great opportunity, but we want to give fans another reason to be proud of us."