World Cup

[monks data]

Attendance: 78,011

World Cup | Semi-Finals

Jul 11, 2018 at 7pm UK

Croatia
2-1
England

Perisic (68'), Mandzukic (109')

FT
(aet)

Trippier (5')

Eric Dier: 'England are making amends for Euro 2016 exit'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor

Published: July 9 2018 | 17:29

Last updated: July 10 2018 | 14:21

England midfielder Eric Dier believes that the team's progress at this summer's World Cup can be traced back to the disappointing nature of their Euro 2016 exit.

England midfielder Eric Dier has insisted that the team have learned from the mistakes they made during their Euro 2016 campaign.

The Three Lions were dumped out in ignominious fashion by minnows Iceland two years ago, but have made it all the way to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia this summer.

Dier believes that their progress can be traced back to their infamous defeat to Iceland, but stressed that the squad would not be content if their World Cup campaign ended in the last four.

"After the Iceland game we knew that things needed to change. There have been a lot of changes since that moment," Dier told reporters.

"It was a moment where we were extremely disappointed and couldn't let that happen again. We knew we could only make amends for that moment here at this World Cup. Nothing else would fix what happened. That is what we have been trying to do. We have learned from our mistakes.

"I don't think we have succeeded yet. Success is hard to define but in my eyes, and everyone's back at the hotel, this isn't success yet. We're hungry for more. Hopefully we can continue to show that on Wednesday. After the game against Sweden we switched our attention to Wednesday and we are focused on that game.

"We know there can be even better nights the longer we go in the tournament. We have loved every minute, every game, but we know there can be a lot more enjoyment if we continue on this path."

England will face Croatia on Wednesday night in what will be their first taste of a World Cup semi-final since 1990.