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Gary Neville hails England for exceeding expectations despite World Cup heartbreak
GARY NEVILLE has hailed England for their performance in the World Cup despite their heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Croatia.
England can be 'so proud' despite defeat says Gary Neville
Kieran Trippier fired England in front after just five minutes thanks to his brilliant free-kick.
However, Ivan Perisic volleyed in an equaliser 22 minutes from time.
The encounter in Moscow headed to extra time but Mario Mandzukic’s 109th minute strike ended England’s hopes of a first World Cup final since 1966.
But despite the disappointment, Neville has hailed Gareth Southgate’s side for over-achieving in Russia.
"This team have taken us to a place that we never thought we would get" @GNev2 on @England's 2018 @FIFAWorldCup
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 11, 2018
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“This team have taken us to a place that we never thought we would get,” Neville said at full-time.
“I always said before the tournament, England have never over-achieving.
“This team have over-achieving by getting to a semi-final and they can all be absolutely proud.
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“They’ve taken the nation with them. We’ve seen all those fans in that park out to watch them, I never thought I’d see scenes like that to be fair.
“They can be absolutely proud. We did say before the game that these lads have to take this opportunity now because it may never happen again.
“All I hope now as I look at them now; disappointed, crying, upset is that they get another opportunity as good as they one they’ve just had because that was a huge opportunity and I feel for them most because of that.”