World Cup 2018: Southgate Determines to Earn a Medal as Consolation
England manager Gareth Southgate says the Three Lions’ 2-1 World Cup semifinal loss to Croatia will stay with him forever, but his side are determined to earn a medal in Russia as consolation.
After taking an early lead, a valiant England were ultimately beaten by a Mario Mandzukic winner in extra time, putting an end to their first trip to the last four since 1990.
“In terms of mentality, it’s obviously been a really difficult couple of days,” Southgate told reporters on Friday. “I was watching the game at four o’clock this morning. That is going to live with me forever.
“We were 20 minutes from a World Cup final and then, in extra time, 10 minutes from a shootout to get to a World Cup final. That is going to live with me forever, there is no doubt about that. The reason for us being here was to achieve that big goal.
