Summer 2018 will be remembered for a lot of things – but none as special as England’s World Cup dream.
For the semi-final, millions of fans up and down the country packed into pubs, parks, castles and caravans to cheer on Gareth Southgate’s men.
There was a mass exodus of workplaces nationwide as people tuned in to one of the biggest matches in England’s history.
Our reporters were out and about soaking up the atmosphere as a nation dared to dream.
But it was not meant to be, with England’s lions falling to Croatia in extra time.
There were also screenings at Nottingham Castle, Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl and on Brighton Beach.
While at Croydon’s Boxpark, there was an early-doors beer shortage as joy turned to anxiety and then to heartbreak.
Father and son Andrew and Luke Downing, 39 and 13, were first in and at the front of the stage.
“We’ve been hovering around since two o’clock and came in as soon as the doors opened,” Andrew said.
He added that he had every confidence England’s pride and passion would get them to the semis.
The city had gone football crazy, with people leaving work early at about 15:00 BST.
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Friends Jack Moore, Rhys Greenwood and Scott Barnes said the bowl is “the only place to be”.
“This is better than being in a pub,” said Rhys.
As fans poured out, the mood was one of pride.
Ibraheem Jameel, 23, from Manchester said: “We played well but were beaten by a better team. I am disappointed.”
Mike Hoskinson, 24, from Warrington, added: “I am very proud – if you had said at the start of the tournament we would make the semi-finals I would have taken it.”
And Nick Giles, 29, euphonium player with the Brighouse and Rastrick brass band, said: “We have exceeded all expectations.”
Drenched in evening sunshine, the nation’s beaches were a popular spot to watch the match.
Fans went wild on Perranporth, Cornwall, when Trippier curled home his early opener. But their happiness disappeared with the setting sun.
On Brighton Beach, fans were glued to a big screen on the sand, which was also beaming out the tennis before World Cup fever took hold.
