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Heartbreak for fans as England beaten in World Cup semi-finals

yahoo sports staff
Heartbroken England fans.
Heartbroken England fans.

England fans were left devastated as they watched their side crash out of the World Cup in extra time to Croatia after taking an early lead. After full time there were reports of vandalism and an injury to one woman at a public screening of the game.

The country had come to a standstill to watch as Kieran Trippier kicked off celebrations across England with an early goal. After three minutes his free kick curled into the net to put England 1-0 up with most of the match to play, before Ivan Perisic’s equaliser forced extra time, and then Mario Mandzukic put Croatia ahead, leaving England’s hopes crushed.

A disconsolate England fan.
A disconsolate England fan.
Dawn of the devastated.
Dawn of the devastated.
Disheartened crowd of England supporters.
Disheartened crowd of England supporters.

While Croatians celebrated:

Gatherings dispersed as reality set in:

Prince William tweeted his disappointed, and with no evidence to the contrary we can assume his disappointment was more measured by those throwing beer bottles:

Croatian fans were understandably thrilled:

It didn’t take long for ugly scenes to erupt once the final whistle blew.

After just three minutes into the games, England’s fans erupted with optimism and joy across the country to celebrate Trippier’s opener. London’s Hyde Park was full of excitement:

Caution – some videos may conclude strong language

But hearts were broken when Mandzukic grabbed Croatia’s second, and the winner:

Two England fans react to Croatia’s goal.
Two England fans react to Croatia’s goal.

READ MORE: ‘It’s coming home’ memes: All the best memes as England bid to reach final

Heartbreak, as Perisic equalised. At least some people were happier:

Croatian fans celebrate their equaliser.
Croatian fans celebrate their equaliser.

For England, the nerves set in:

An England fan is beside herself.
An England fan is beside herself.

And the despair:

A nervous England fan.
A nervous England fan.

And misery:

England fans look on nervously.
England fans look on nervously.

Crowds came together to watch in public spaces, with thousands of people expected in London’s Hyde Park.

The tension started to tell in extra time:

The early goal had led to some very excitable scenes:

From Afghanistan

To Newcastle

To London:

To boozers

There were pints going all over the place:

Hype Park.
Hype Park.

Hyde Park was packed:

Taps aff weather.
Taps aff weather.
Fans gather in Hyde Park.
Fans gather in Hyde Park.
An England fan pays tribute with a waistcoat.
An England fan pays tribute with a waistcoat.

Pubs started to fill over the afternoon and workplaces became notably less productive as attention was drawn to the pre-match build-up.

Shops were deserted as people, and apparently sandwiches and baked goods, scarpered home:

Rush hour was bizarrely quiet with people already occupied:

28 Days Later scenes:

Live: England name unchanged side against Croatia in bid for first World Cup final since 1966

Pubs introduced football-themed booze to their wares:

There were fans organising get-togethers across the globe, including Russia:

The Falklands:

The Hague took time off from humanitarian crimes:

As were Canadians:

Even England’s buses were getting in on the act:

As did planes:

READ MORE: ‘Croatia Spy’ arrested by Russian police close to England training camp

The partying began in earnest a little earlier for fans who were lucky enough to be in Russia for the tie, and both Croatians and Englanders alike got on well:

England and Croatia fans find common ground.
England and Croatia fans find common ground.

Some fans took things a little too far:

There were the traditionally brashly dressed supporters from both sides in Russia:

Croatian fans with accoutrements.
Croatian fans with accoutrements.
England fans prepare with painted visages.
England fans prepare with painted visages.

Moments before kick-off the Lightning Seeds performed their most famous hit, Oh Lucky Yo- no, wait, Three Lions.