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England’s World Cup dreams have been shattered by the foot of Croatia’s Mario Mandzukic, who scored an extra-time winner to prohibit England from advancing to its first World Cup Final in 52 years.
After advancing to the semis for the first time since 1990, the people of England could almost taste the Cup, evident in them displaying some of the most raucous communal celebrations of any sport in recent memory.
Wow. England fans in Hyde Park celebrate Kieran Trippier's semifinal goal v Croatia#CRO #ENG #ENGCRO #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/TusSHEXoio
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) July 11, 2018
The hysteria across the pond was tangible, me fans let the success get to their head–or thigh, arm, ass, or neck.
I was preparing to shit on every one of these people who prematurely etched a championship tattoo on their bodies for eternity, but the man below, named Jamie Richardson, offered another way to look at it. He told Daily Star:
“It’s better to have believed and lost than to have never believed at all.
“I have no regrets. I’ve woken up extremely proud to be English today.
“All them boys will be coming home heroes. They’ve done the entire country extremely proud.
“Gareth Southgate has been carrying this weight around with him since 1996 and now he can come home knowing he gave us something to believe in.”
https://twitter.com/iamwytunes/status/1017150231266365440
Here are some other gems.
This '2018 winners' tattoo featuring Harry Kane's face (!?) has not aged well. pic.twitter.com/qAujSXIIUu
— Tim Johns (@timoncheese) July 12, 2018
England fan in New York is getting a tattoo for every World Cup win, already has today’s highlight freshly inked. pic.twitter.com/18FhZgfkco
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) July 7, 2018
First tattoo #itscominghome #threelions @England 🦁🦁🦁 pic.twitter.com/UPxoF9cRvg
— Macca (@Ryan_Macdonald_) July 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/welchyyyy/status/1014954438656774150
If @HarryMaguire93 scores against Sweden, he's face is getting tattooed on my chest!! #itscominghome #twitterblades #sufc
— Matt Benton (@Matt_Benton) July 5, 2018
Here it is. @HarryMaguire93 you beautiful bastard!! Once swell gone down more detail will come out. Got to go back next week to finish fine detail!! @JoeMaguire8 @_lozmaguire pic.twitter.com/eER7DOX6Af
— Matt Benton (@Matt_Benton) July 9, 2018
Can’t believe what I’m seeing … Great effort 😂 DM me and I’ll sort out a signed England shirt from the lads 👍🏴🦁 #FullyDeserved #YouMustHaveABigChest https://t.co/iF6OzQfWE4
— Harry Maguire (@HarryMaguire93) July 9, 2018
Keep your head up England, at least you made the World Cup. WOMP WOMP.