‘You have made us believe again… football DID come home this summer’ – Fans hail England team despite World Cup heartbreak

So that’s it. The dream is over. Football is not coming home.

England’s first World Cup semi-final since 1990 ended just as it did 28 years ago, in glorious failure.

It was all going so well, with Kieran Trippier’s stunning free-kick giving the Three Lions the lead inside five minutes.

But Croatia, with the masterful Luka Modric, came fighting back and will line up in Sunday’s final after Ivan Perisic levelled and Mario Mandzukic struck in extra-time to secure a 2-1 win.

England fans are devastated, but there’s been little criticism of Gareth Southgate and the players. They did the country proud.

Here’s some of the positive reaction on Twitter…

Pride, restored.

We’re all proud of you England #ENGCRO | #TSWorldCup pic.twitter.com/NdKTTdFYzp

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) July 11, 2018

I might be devastated in the moment, but it's also been 22 years since I was so proud to be an England fan.

Thank you Gareth. We might have lost but football still came home this summer

— Will Gavin (@WillGav) July 11, 2018

Made me believe again and I got to share it with my boys who loved every second of it. Thanks @England we gave everything and went out on our shields. Stand tall and proud.

— Curtis Woodhouse (@curtiswoodhous8) July 11, 2018

I can’t help but applaud Gareth Southgate, he has done everything right since being appointed and more importantly has been gracious in defeat. Being knocked out of a World Cup semi ain’t easy but he’s shown nothing but class, what a bloke, better days to come

— luke (@LukeBarner) July 11, 2018

Despite losing, football did come home this World Cup. A renewed passion for our national team which has been missing for years has been restored.

England to a man should be very proud of what they’ve achieved.

— Fraudy (@FraudUnited) July 11, 2018

We love you @GarethSouthgate & #england team. You made us all believe again. Be proud.

— Zoe Ball (@ZoeTheBall) July 11, 2018

Thing is, I will still remember #WorldCup 2018 as the time “it” was coming home.

Perhaps “it” was never football, but “it” was always national pride?

The whole nation stood as one.

It was a reminder of the good that unites us, not the bad that divide us.#CROENG

— Samantha Quek (@SamanthaQuek) July 11, 2018

Well done .. Proud of every single person involved tonight for England .. Wasn’t to be …

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 11, 2018

Dear @England – you have been incredible throughout this tournament. Praying for you all – rest up for the playoff and know you’ve made the whole country proud! #ENGCRO #ThreeLions #WorldCup

— Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) July 11, 2018

Fuck it. Football has come home. Look how united we’ve all been. We had faith, we stood together, supporting our boys. This is the England I love. #EnglandvCroatia #ENGCRO

— kate (@katie__janee) July 11, 2018

We didn’t win but I had a damn good time watching the games this year. Can’t remember being more excited about the World Cup than 2018. Could feel the energy from thousands of miles away. Well done @GarethSouthgate and team for getting so far.

— Gavin Free (@GavinFree) July 11, 2018

Gutted. Massive well done to all the lads who have done us all proud, keep your heads held high. This is a great young team with a big big future

— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) July 11, 2018

Thank you #England. You gave us one hell of a World Cup. London’s proud of you tonight. #ThreeLions

— Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) July 11, 2018

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

You can listen to France vs Croatia in the World Cup final on Sunday, live on talkSPORT.

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