It’s no more coming home – Ghanaians react to England’s World Cup fall to Croatia

Sports News of Thursday, 12 July 2018

Source: Goal.com

2018-07-12

Croatia CelebrationCroatia players celebrate their qualification to the finals

It looked like it was truly “coming home”. Then there was a mighty bang. Then it wildly veered off track into the bush. More like “One Corner” hit maker Patapaa and the Most Popular Song of the Year award at the recent Ghana Music Awards.

That was how England watched their World Cup hopes fade into thin air in Russia.

The 1966 champions stepped into Wednesday’s semi-final against Croatia in high confidence. The Three Lions, having earlier accounted for a Radamel Falcao-led Colombia in the round of 16, dispatched Sweden to make the last four.

Optimism had gone out of the roof. Fans began making plans for a public holiday on July 16 – the day after The Three Lions supposedly won the World Cup – and the “It’s coming home!” mantra had gained ground more than ever.

Mario Mandzukic’s extra-time goal, however, threw everything into disarray for England as the goal earned Croatia a 2-1 triumph in Moscow.

Interestingly, it was The Three Lions who drew first blood at the Luzhniki Stadium – as early as in the fifth minute – when Tottenham Hotspur full-back Kieran Trippier calmly curled a free-kick into the net.

Ivan Perisic, however, restored parity in the 68th minute for Croatia, sending the game into extra-time following a 1-1 score after normal time.

Croatia, in the final for the first time ever, are set to face France in Sunday’s showdown, while England take on Belgium in the third-place playoff on Saturday.

Ghanaians were not lost on Wednesday’s World Cup action, and were certainly not missing from the buzz on social media.

Below are some reactions:

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