Gareth Southgate has expressed his pride in his England team after their heartbreaking World Cup exit.
The Three Lions’ bid to reach a first World Cup final since 1966 ended in failure, as Croatia fought back from a goal down to win the last four clash 2-1 after extra-time.
It was an agonising end for the Three Lions, but the team couldn’t have given any more for their manager – and their nation.
“I’m proud of all the players and all of the staff because I know they couldn’t have given any more,” said Southgate, speaking to talkSPORT.
England had made the dream start in Moscow, taking the lead inside five minutes through Kieran Trippier’s brilliant free-kick.
They were the better side for much of the first half and wasted chances to extend their lead.
But they lost momentum after the break and Croatia drew level through Ivan Perisic before Mario Mandzukic snatched victory in extra-time.
“The first half we played extremely well,” said Southgate. “We dealt with the pressure of a semi-final really well, probably had good chances to go even further ahead and, in hindsight, maybe it would have been critical to have taken one of those at that stage of the game.
“In the second half, we lost a little bit of control of the game, didn’t keep the ball as well. We were the most inexperienced team in the tournament and for a little bit we didn’t have that control.
It may have ended in failure, but Southgate saw nothing but positives, adding: “I don’t think realistically we thought we would be a game away from the final and we would have a realistic chance and give as good as we got for 120 minutes [against Croatia].