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It's over. Mario Mandzukic scored, Croatia beat England and football did not come home.
The England was so close that Kieran Trippier's free kick was so long that he would have seen Gareth Southgate and his team in their first World Cup final. 1966 until Ivan Perisic strikes in an equalizer and the lean Mandzukic stung on the lamentable mistake of John Stones to send Croatia into the World Cup final.
So many players came out of the dark and did so well, inspiring a thousand memes, carols, cult heroes and even ill-advised chest tattoos.
Here's how each power player ranked during the tournament …
England vs Croatia: History of the game
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England and the Croatian fans pose in the Red Square in front the match
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Fans in the stands before the semifinal
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3/190 [19659007] Mario Mandzukic in action with John Stones
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Kieran Trippier Purpose
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Raheem Sterling fights for the ball
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Kieran Trippier of England party
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The Englishman Jordan Pickford saves from the Croatian Ivan Perisic
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The Englishman Kieran Trippier celebrates his goal [19659008] REUTERS
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Kieran Trippier after the first goal of the game
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The goalkeeper of Croatia Danije l Subasic plunges
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Jordan Pickford celebrates
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The Englishman Kieran Trippier celebrates his first goal with Harry Kane
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Mario Mandzukic in action with John Stones
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England Party
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Jordan & # 39; s England Pickford in action with Croatian Ante Rebic
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Again and again for Pickford
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Danijel Subasic of Croatia saves Harry Kane of England
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Croatia tries to defend itself
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Stationary Pickford
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Jordan Pickford of England collides with Ante Rebic of Croatia
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] Jordan Pickford walks
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Danijel Subasic from Croatia saves Harry Kane from England [19659008] Getty Images
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IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. ] REUTERS
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The referee Cuneyt Cakir talks with Kyle Walker
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L & Ashley Young makes a pitch
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Kyle Walker and John Stones in action with Croatian Domagoj Vida
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L & 39 English Raheem Sterling in action with the Croatian Ivan Rakitic
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The Croatian Ivan Rakitic in action with the Englishman Kyle Walker
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41/190 [19659007] Jordan Pickford of England during the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final match between England and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium
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Group of Croatia team. Top Row (from left to right) Dejan Lovren, Ivan Strinic, Mario Mandzukic, Ante Rebic, Danijel Subasic and Ivan Perisic. Bottom Row (from left to right) Marcelo Brozovic, Domagoj Vida, Ivan Rakitic, Sime Vrsaljko and Luka Modric
Tim Goode / PA Wire
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General view inside the stadium [19659008] Getty Images [19659123] 44/190
Ivan Rakitic of Croatia confronts the referee Cuneyt
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President of the Greg Clarke Football Association, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the match
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Ivan Rakitic of Croatia and Luka Modric of Croatia face the referee Cuneyt Cakir
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Fans at Millennium Square, Leeds
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Zlatko Dalic, the head coach of Croatia looks
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Croatian Luka Modric at half-time
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Luka Modric concerned for Croatia
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Ivan Rakitic of Croatia co nfronts referee
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Television monitors inside the stadium
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Harry Kane in action
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54/190 [19659007] Harry Kane in combat with Ivan Strinic
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Fans of the England in Moscow
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Harry Kane Falls
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Dele Alli Letterhead
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58/190 [19659007] Southgate watches
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Marcelo Brozovic in the lead
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Fans of Croatia in Zagreb
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61/190 [19659007] The Englishman Kyle Walker seated on the ground
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Sterling against Strinic
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The Englishman Kyle Walker is injured on the field
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Harry Kane in action w The Croats Marcelo Brozovic and Ivan Rakitic
The Englishman Harry Maguire and the Luka Modr of Croatia
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The Englishman Kieran Trippier and Croatia Ivan Rakitic [19659008] PA
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Dele Alli, from England, looks
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Jordan Pickford, from England, shoots the ball
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72 / 190 [19659007] Ashley Young of England looks
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Sime Vrsaljko of Croatia defies Raheem Sterling
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L & # 39; English Jordan Pickford during the match
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Gareth Southgate leads
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supporters of Croatia
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77/190 [19659007] Iva n Strinic of Croatia is arrested by Kieran Trippier [19659008] Getty
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Harry Kane of nigger in action with the Dejan Lovren of Croatia
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79/190 [19659007] L & # 39 English Raheem Sterling in action with Croatian Sime Vrsaljko
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Harry Kane of England is on the field
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Modric en peril [19659008] Getty
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Vrsaljko with Sterling
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Pickford conducts
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Kyle Walker of 39 England enters into conflict with Ivan Perisic
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Referred by Ashley Young
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Luka Modric of Croatia pleads
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Kane fights for the ball
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Arrested winger
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Goal Ivan Perisic [19659008] Getty
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Kane becomes thirsty
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Ivan Perisic celebrates the equalization
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Time of Walker injury
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Ivan Perisic revolves around Pickford [19659008] REUTERS
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Law through Pickford
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Ivan Perisic gets the first of Croatia
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Ivan Perisic celebrates his goal
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Ivan Perisic
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Skills of Strinic
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Squatting PIckford
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Famous Perisic
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Croatia hits the post
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Three lions roar from the stadium
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All collapse
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Capture by Pickford [19659008] REUTERS
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The enthusiasm of Southgate
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Southgate uncertain
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Birdseye see [19659008] Getty [19659318] 111/190
Anxious Kane
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Ivan Perisic of Croatia scores the first goal of his team
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Vida slides along
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Southgate considers the result
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Ivan Perisic of Croatia mark
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Croatia celebrates a goal
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Croatia at half time
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Southgate checks the clock [19659008] Getty [19659324] 119/190
Southgate watches his team
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Kane watches
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Pickford jumps for the ball
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Pickford he reaches out
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Kane from behind
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Croatia Manager
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Croatia go for the ball
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Southgate applaud the teams
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The extra time is on us [19659008] REUTERS
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Battles of Kane
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Brozovic steals
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Combat Brozovic and Kane
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Modric takes the ball
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Perisic in action
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Captain Modric takes command
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Pickford the Cree
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The desperation of the fans
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Southgate considers his team
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Time of injury
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Sub-period
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Controls of injuries by the referee
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Fans of Croatia
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Danny Rose plated
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142/190 [19659007] Dier is getting ready
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Dier is stabilizing
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Dier is coming
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Zlatko Dalic conducts
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The President of FIFA participates in the matchDier
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Pickford in action
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Vrsaljko clears the ball from the line
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Stones directs the ball
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Second goal of Croatia
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Croatia takes the lead
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England desperate
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Discussion of the Southgate Team
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Crotia huddle [19659008] REUTERS
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Crotan's score
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Crotia celebrate
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Crotia in Action
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Southgate Calls
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England Luck
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Trippier's wound
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Croatia 2 [19659008] REUTERS
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The uncertain England
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Pickford discouraged
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Vardy in despair
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Croatian joy
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Croatia celebrate 2-1
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Croatian fan in search of time
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Croatia celebrates its advance [19659008] Getty
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England loses 2-1
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England gives up hope
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Defeat of England [19659008] REUTERS
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Final Whistle
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Kane Comes Home [19659008] REUTERS
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Croatia wins 2-1
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Southgate describe
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England and Croatia pay their respects
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Kane upset
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Pickford gives up
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Kane shot down
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Rashford out
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England fall
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Croatian pride
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Southgate hugdle
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Croatia celebrates 2-1 victory
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Croatia celebrates
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Going home, goodbye Moscow
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English and Croatian fans are posing on Red Square before the match
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Fans in the stands before the semifinal
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Mario Mandzukic in action with John Stones
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Kieran Trippier Purpose
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Raheem Sterling fights for the ball
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Kieran Trippier of England Famous
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The Englishman Jordan Pickford saves from the Croatian Ivan Perisic
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L & # 39; English Kieran Trippier celebrates goal
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Kieran Trippier after the first goal of the match
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Croatian goalkeeper Danijel Subasic dives
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Jordan Pickford Famous
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The Englishman Kieran Trippier celebrates his first goal with Harry K ane
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Mario Mandzukic in Action with John Stones
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England in Celebration
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Jordan of England Pickford in action with Croatian Ante Rebic
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Again and again for Pickford
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17/190 [19659007] Danijel Subasic of Croatia makes a stop on Harry Kane of England
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Croatia tries to defend himself
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Pickford Station
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Jordan Pickford from England collides with Ante Rebic from Croatia
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Jordan Pickford Walks
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Danijel Subasic of Croatia s with Harry Kane of England
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IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. ] REUTERS
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The referee Cuneyt Cakir talks with Kyle Walker
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L & English Ashley Young makes a throw
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The Englishman Raheem Sterling in action with the Croatian Ivan Rakitic
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The Croatian Ivan Rakitic in action with Englishman Kyle Walker
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Jordan Pickford of England at the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-finals match between l & # 39; England and Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium
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Group of Croatia team. Top Row (from left to right) Dejan Lovren, Ivan Strinic, Mario Mandzukic, Ante Rebic, Danijel Subasic and Ivan Perisic. Bottom Row (from left to right) Marcelo Brozovic, Domagoj Vida, Ivan Rakitic, Sime Vrsaljko and Luka Modric
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General view inside the stadium [19659008] Getty Images
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Ivan Rakitic of Croatia confronts the referee Cuneyt
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President of the Greg Clarke Football Association , Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the match
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Ivan Rakitic of Croatia and Luka Modric of Croatia face referee Cuneyt Cakir [19659008] Getty
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Fans at Millennium Square, Leeds
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Zlatko Dalic, the head coach of Croatia looks
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Croatian Luka Modric at half-time
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Luka Modric concerned for the Cro atie
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Ivan Rakitic from Croatia co nfronts referee
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TV monitors inside the stadium
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Harry Kane in Action
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54/190 [19659007] Harry Kane in Battle with Ivan Strinic
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Fans of the 39, England to Moscow
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Harry Kane Falls
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Dele Alli Head
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58/190 [19659007] Southgate watches
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Marcelo Brozovic directs it
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Fans of Croatia in Zagreb
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61/190 [19659007] The Englishman Kyle Walker seated on the ground
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Sterling against Strinic
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The Englishman Kyle Walker is injured on the ground
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Harry Kane in action w Marcelo Brozovic and Ivan Rakitic of Croatia
Harry Maguire of England and Luka Modr of Croatia
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The Englishman Kieran Trippier and Croatia Ivan Rakitic [19659008] PA
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Dele Alli of England looks
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Jordan Pickford of England gives the ball down
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72/190 [19659007] Ashley Young of England looks
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Sime Vrsaljko of Croatia defies Raheem Sterling
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L & 39 Jordan Pickford during the match
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Gareth Southgate leads
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supporters of Croatia
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77/190 [19659007] Ivan Strinic of Croatia is arrested by Kieran Trippier [19659008] Getty
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Harry Kane of nigger in action with Dejan Lovren of Croatia
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79/190 [19659007] L & English Raheem Sterling in action with Croatian Sime Vrsaljko
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Harry Kane of England stands on the ground
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81/190 [19659007] Modric at risk [19659008] Getty
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Vrsaljko with Sterling
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Pickford directs
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Kyle Walker of England enters into conflict with Ivan Perisic
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Referred by Ashley Young
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Luka Modric of Croatia pleads
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Kane fights for the ball
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Winger stopped
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Goal Ivan Perisic
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Kane becomes thirsty
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Ivan Perisic celebrates the equalization
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92/190 [19659007] Injury time of Walker
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Ivan Perisic revolves around Pickford [19659008] REUTERS
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Through Pickford
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Ivan Perisic receives the first of Croatia
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Ivan Perisic celebrates his goal
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Mark Ivan Perisic
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Strinch Skills
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Squatting PIckford
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Famous Perisic
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Croatia hits the post
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Three lions roar from the stadium
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All collapse
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Capture by Pickford
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The enthusiasm of Southgate
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Southgate uncertain
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Birdseye view
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Anxious Kane
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Ivan Perisic of Croatia scores the first goal of his team
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Vida slides
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Ivan Perisic of Croatia marks
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Croatia celebrates a goal
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Croatia at half-time
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Southgate checks the clock
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Southgate watches his team [19659008] REUTERS
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Kane watches
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Pickford jumps for the ball
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Pickford reaches out [19659008] REUTERS
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Kane from behind
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Croatia Manager
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Croatia go for the ball [19659008] REUTERS [19659915] 126/190
Southgate applauds the teams
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Additional time is on us
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Battles of Kane
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Battle of Brozovic and Kane
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Modric takes the ball
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Perisic in action
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Captain Modric takes command
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Pickford c
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Despair of the fans
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Southgate considers his team
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Injury
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Under Time
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Control of Injury by the Referee
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140/190 [19659007] Croatian Fans
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Danny Rose Plated
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142/190 [19659007] Dier Gets Prepared
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To Dier stabilized
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Dier comes
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Zlatko Dalic heads
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The President of FIFA participates in the matchDier
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Pickford in action
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Dalic fury
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Vrsaljko clears the ball of the line
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Stones directs the ball
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Second purpose of Croatia
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Croatia takes the lead
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154/190 [19659007] England huddle
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155/190 [19659007] Desperate England
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Discussion of Southgate Team
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Crotia Huddle [19659008] REUTERS
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Crotan's Score
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Famous Crotia
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Crotan in Action
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England luck
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Trippier's wound
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Croatia 2 [19659008] REUTERS
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England uncertain
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Pickford shot down
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Vardy in despair
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Croatian Joy
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Croatia Celebrate 2-1
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Fan Croatian in search of time
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Croatia celebrates its advance
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England loses 2-1 [19659008] Getty
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England gives up hope
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Defeat of England [19659008] REUTERS
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Final Whistle
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Kane Comes Home
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They Think It's All Over [19659008] Getty
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Croatia ga gene 2-1
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Southgate described
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England and Croatia pay their respects
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Kane upset
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Pickford gives up
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Kane discouraged
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England autumn
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Croatian pride
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Southgate huddle [19659008] REUTERS
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Croatia celebrates victory 2-1
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Croatia celebrates
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Going home, goodbye Moscow
REUTERS [19660110] 23: Nick Pope – N / A
Burnley's keeper failed to make a single appearance in Russia and was three second choice behind the impressive Pickford.
22: Jack Butland – N / A [19659002] Like Pope, did not manage to make a single appearance but was ranked slightly ahead of Pope because at least he was the second choice
21: Danny Welbeck – 5/10
played the least minutes of any field player, managing only one cameo against Belgium but not doing it too much trouble at all.
20: Phil Jones – 5/10
Only appearance in the tournament was against Belgium when Southgate released Team B and failed to silence former teammate Adnan Januzaj.
19: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6/10
He did not cheat on foot when he played, but he did not do enough to put un doute dans l'esprit de quelqu'un à l'extérieur de Liverpool qu'il devrait commencer Ã
18: Gary Cahill – 6/10
Comme tant de «réserves» voyageant en Russie, a fait ce qui était nécessaire lorsqu'on a été appelé mais finalement n'a pas fait grand chose Contribuer à beaucoup sur le terrain
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17: Eric Dier – 6/10
Si vous regardez après les tirs au but, Dier a connu une très mauvaise Coupe du Monde. Lutté terriblement contre la Colombie et la Croatie, avait sa capacité de dépbadement exposé et prouvé que l'Angleterre n'a vraiment pas de remplacement pour Henderson. Mais il devint le premier Anglais à remporter une séance de tirs au but en Coupe du Monde.
16: Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6/10
Promis au début du tournoi mais semblant légèrement hors de sa portée la profondeur comme il a continué. Il peut être la réponse de l'Angleterre à leur problème de milieu de terrain dans quelques années mais c'était trop tôt pour faire l'impact qu'il aurait voulu.
15: Danny Rose – 6/10
Était correct quand Le fait de quitter le banc pour Young mais de ne pas remplacer un aileron de quart de 33 ans a montré que ce n'était pas à son meilleur niveau.
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14: Jamie Vardy – 6/10
A fait sa meilleure performance lorsqu'il est sorti du banc contre la Colombie pour donner à l'Angleterre le genre de pied dans le jeu pour l'amener à des pénalités quand il semblait qu'ils pourraient perdre. Marcus Rashford – 6/10
Comme Vardy, avait un aperçu de montrer son talent en sortant du banc, mais était incapable de le soutenir ou avoir un réel impact. Vous avez estimé qu'il aurait dû avoir une pénible Croatie sur toast.
12: Fabian Delph – 6/10
Il a bien réussi quand il est sorti du banc et qu'il aurait probablement dû se présenter plus tôt pour participer aux rondes à élimination directe.
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11: Dele Alli – 6.5 / 10
Oui, il a marqué contre la Suède et oui il était blessé mais vraiment, vraiment, était-il vraiment bon? Il avait rarement l'air dangereux et n'aurait probablement pas dû jouer autant que lui
10: Ashley Young – 7/10
Son pied droit était l'une des plus grandes armes de l'Angleterre à chaque set- morceau pendant le tournoi et malgré être 33, regardé 10 ans son junior tout au long. A fitting end to a strong season.
9: Kyle Walker – 7/10
Playing in an unfamiliar central defensive role, Walker’s pace snuffed out so many attacks throughout the World Cup. It was a gamble playing him there but it is fair to say it payed off for Southgate.
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8: Jesse Lingard – 7/10
Started the tournament as arguably England’s best player but whether it was tiredness that set in or that opponents worked him out, his impact faded. Still a brilliant tournament for a player who would not had dreamed of being in Russia two years ago.
7: Jordan Henderson – 7.5/10
Proved that he is England’s only capable central midfielder on a stage like this and as he faded the weakness in depth really showed. As the only holding midfielder in the team at any point, he played phenomenally well. Even with the penalty miss.
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6: Raheem Sterling – 8/10
No matter what you read on social media, Sterling had a fantastic tournament. His tireless runs off the ball stretched every defence and created space for everyone else to entertain. Did exactly what Southgate wanted from him and really did deserve that elusive goal.
5: Harry Kane – 8/10
Fifth may seem harsh for the Golden Boot winner in waiting but he faded awfully against Colombia and Croatia and was really carried by his teammates at both times. Was he actually fit? I’m sure we will find out in the next few days…
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4: John Stones – 8/10
A coming of age tournament for Stones after a poor second-half of the season with Manchester City. Two goals and one of the best defences in the competition with some of the best distribution and Stones is looking like the player everyone thought he would become all those years ago.
3: Harry Maguire – 8.5/10
Slabhead, cult hero, goalscorer. Maguire has earned a country full of new fans and memes but not without justifiable cause. Leicester City will do well to hold onto him this summer after such a marvellous World Cup. Would be England’s break-out star if not for the two ahead of him.
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2: Jordan Pickford – 9/10
Didn’t put a foot wrong all tournament. A penalty shootout hero who pulled off some colossal saves in the most dramatic of moments and will surely go down as England’s No 1 for the next 10 years.
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1: Kieran Trippier – 9.5/10
It takes a lot to be compared to David Beckham’s right foot, but boy was it justified. Deserved his stunning free-kick goal in the semi-final more than anyone else with the only downside being that it wasn’t the winner. Trippier, more than most, deserved to be in the World Cup final.
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