FIFA World Cup 2018: Jose Mourinho Thinks England Missed the Golden Opportunity

Jul 12, 2018 at 6:19 PM

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FIFA World Cup 2018: Jose Mourinho Thinks England Missed the Golden Opportunity

Jose Mourinho believes England missed a golden opportunity of reaching the FIFA World Cup 2018 final.

England dumped out of the competition, as Croatia beat them 2-1 on Wednesday.

Gareth Southgate’s side negotiated their way to the semi-final of the competition. However, on the day when it mattered the most, they were unable to overcome opponents who had played extra-time in both their previous matches.

Kieran Trippier’s early free-kick gave them the lead, but Ivan Perisic pushed the match into an additional period. In the end, Mario Mandzukic became the decisive factor. As such, Manchester United Mourinho sees this as an opportunity spurned.

“England have reason to cry because they were so close, but they also have reason to be optimistic. The team improved a lot in relation to previous appearances. It’s a young team, the majority of the players will play in the next World Cup with more experience at club level.”

“If I was in charge of the FA there would be no doubt that I would keep Gareth Southgate and Steve Holland in their jobs and give them the chance to take the team to the next Euros and the next World Cup.”

Nevertheless, Mourinho believes England have a reason to come back home with pride.

Harry Kane

“The players and the squad, everybody involved in the World Cup, have a reason to come back home with pride after giving everything and making the country proud.”

The Manchester United boss, meanwhile, heralded the achievement of Croatia, who will face France in Sunday’s showpiece in Moscow.

“It’s a great achievement for a country where the league is a minor league, and the majority of the players don’t play in Croatia but abroad. As I know, when you work abroad, you feel your country in a different way.”

Croatia have gone to extra-time in all of their knockout games and will face a France team far fresher in Moscow.

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