WASHINGTON — Loud cheers mixed with disappointed sighs in a D.C. bar Wednesday after Croatia beat England 2-1 in the World Cup semifinals.
Lucky Bar in Dupont Circle was at capacity as the soccer drama unfolded in Russia.
England’s Kieran Trippier scored the opening goal of the match, a mere five minutes just after the first half kicked off.
But Croatia’s Ivan Perišić scored an equalizer in the second half, and teammate Mario Mandžukić scored the decisive second goal in extra time.
Croatia wins 2-1 @luckybardc @WTOP #ENGCRO pic.twitter.com/lXBt7i7HwG
— Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) July 11, 2018
Croatia goes up 2-1 over England @luckybardc @WTOP #ENGCRO pic.twitter.com/eubyJDKr7b
— Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) July 11, 2018
#ENGCRO going into extra time @luckybardc @WTOP #WorldCup2018 pic.twitter.com/OwrOhCGiNl
— Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) July 11, 2018
For England, chants of “It’s coming home” were no more. It was England’s first semifinal appearance in 28 years.
England’s last World Cup win was in 1966. This will be Croatia’s first final appearance in the World Cup.
England and Belgium will play for third place on Saturday.
Croatia and France face off in the World Cup final on Sunday.
