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World Cup 2018: Despair as England lose semi-final | World Cup 2018: Despair as England lose semi-final |
(35 minutes later) | |
Summer 2018 will be remembered for a lot of things - but none as special as England's World Cup dream. | |
For the semi-final, millions of fans up and down the country packed into pubs, parks, castles and caravans to cheer on Gareth Southgate's men. | |
There was a mass exodus of workplaces nationwide, as people tuned in to one of the biggest matches in England's history. | |
Our reporters were out and about soaking up the atmosphere as a nation dared to dream. | Our reporters were out and about soaking up the atmosphere as a nation dared to dream. |
But it was not meant to be, with England's lions falling to Croatia in extra time. | |
At Hyde Park in London, up to 30,000 fans saw their team dig deep and battle. The screening of the World Cup semi-final was the biggest in the capital since Euro 96. | |
There were also screenings at Nottingham Castle, Manchester's Castlefield Bowl and on Brighton Beach. | There were also screenings at Nottingham Castle, Manchester's Castlefield Bowl and on Brighton Beach. |
While at Croydon's Boxpark, there was an early-doors beer shortage as joy turned to anxiety and then to heartbreak. | While at Croydon's Boxpark, there was an early-doors beer shortage as joy turned to anxiety and then to heartbreak. |
In Newcastle, the joy of Trippier's early goal turned to stunned silence when the second-half equaliser went in. And let's not mention Croatia's second. | In Newcastle, the joy of Trippier's early goal turned to stunned silence when the second-half equaliser went in. And let's not mention Croatia's second. |
At Hyde Park, father and son Andrew and Luke Downing, 39 and 13, were first in and at the front of the stage. | At Hyde Park, father and son Andrew and Luke Downing, 39 and 13, were first in and at the front of the stage. |
"We've been hovering around since two o'clock and came in as soon as the doors opened," Andrew said. | "We've been hovering around since two o'clock and came in as soon as the doors opened," Andrew said. |
He added that he had every confidence England's pride and passion would get them to the semis. | He added that he had every confidence England's pride and passion would get them to the semis. |
About 8,000 tickets were snapped up to watch the game at Castlefield Bowl in Manchester. | About 8,000 tickets were snapped up to watch the game at Castlefield Bowl in Manchester. |
The city had gone football crazy, with people leaving work early at about 15:00 BST. | |
Friends Jack Moore, Rhys Greenwood and Scott Barnes said the bowl is "the only place to be". | Friends Jack Moore, Rhys Greenwood and Scott Barnes said the bowl is "the only place to be". |
"This is better than being in a pub," said Rhys. | "This is better than being in a pub," said Rhys. |
As fans poured out, the mood was one of pride. | |
Ibraheem Jameel, 23, from Manchester said: "We played well but were beaten by a better team. I am disappointed." | |
Mike Hoskinson, 24, from Warrington, added: "I am very proud - if you had said at the start of the tournament we would make the semi-finals I would have taken it." | |
And Nick Giles, 29, euphonium player with the Brighouse and Rastrick brass band, said: "We have exceeded all expectations." | |
Drenched in evening sunshine, the nation's beaches were a popular spot to watch the match. | Drenched in evening sunshine, the nation's beaches were a popular spot to watch the match. |
Fans went wild on Perranporth, Cornwall, when Trippier curled home his early opener. But their happiness disappeared with the setting sun. | Fans went wild on Perranporth, Cornwall, when Trippier curled home his early opener. But their happiness disappeared with the setting sun. |
On Brighton Beach, fans were glued to a big screen on the sand, which was also beaming out the tennis before World Cup fever took hold. | On Brighton Beach, fans were glued to a big screen on the sand, which was also beaming out the tennis before World Cup fever took hold. |
Sean Tipping, 31, a sales rep from Lindfield, said: "They've done well no matter what." | Sean Tipping, 31, a sales rep from Lindfield, said: "They've done well no matter what." |
At Nottingham Castle, 3,000 tickets sold out within minutes of going on sale. | At Nottingham Castle, 3,000 tickets sold out within minutes of going on sale. |
Red and white filled the grounds as people nervously gathered around the big screen. | Red and white filled the grounds as people nervously gathered around the big screen. |
When the final whistle blew, the sombre silence in the once-buzzing locations said it all. | |
But defiant choruses of Oasis' Don't Look Back in Anger were soon ringing out, along with proud applause and the national anthem. | |
And while it may not have come home, it came close enough. |