Former England international Chris Waddle has conceded that Croatia “were the better team” over the course of their World Cup semi-final in Moscow.
Gareth Southgate’s charges took the lead on five minutes through Kieran Trippier’s free kick but were pegged back when Ivan Perisic volleyed home in the second half.
Mario Mandzukic went on to score the winning goal in extra time, slotting in from Perisic’s flick-on into the area for a final score of 2-1.
Waddle, who missed England’s final penalty in their 1990 semi-final defeat to West Germany, also stated that the nation “cannot argue with the result”, which saw Croatia reach their first ever final.
“I knew Croatia would be a tough game,” Waddle told BBC Sport at full time.
“We made them look very ordinary in the first half but the game is about 90 minutes.
“Over the course of the whole game they were the better team and you cannot argue with the result.”
England will now play Belgium in Saturday’s third-place playoff in Saint Petersburg.