The English press applauded the achievements of Gareth Southgate's team and considered their players "heroes" instead of focusing on the disappointment caused by their painful defeat in the World Cup semifinals, while the British coach recalled that "not many people expected" the Three Lions to reach that stage.

Despite not having taken advantage of the opportunity to reach their first final since 1966, the media hailed the members of the team who fell on Wednesday against Croatia (2-1). The Mirror Sport declared them "National Treasures", while the Daily Mail praised their efforts.

In its front page, The Telegraph asked England to "keep their heads up"; meanwhile, The Guardian captured the mood of the fans with the headline "The pain continues".

The widespread optimism contrasted with the reaction England received after their exit from Euro 2016, when the team and their then coach Roy Hodgson were widely criticized for their disappointing performance in the competition.

The effort of the Three Lions also received praise from Prince William, who said that the team's performance gave fans "something to believe in".

The team also had the support of various experts, celebrities, and former players, including Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, and Jermain Defoe.

"This team has taken us to a place we never thought," Neville said. "Three weeks ago, there wasn't even a connection with the England national football team. People looked at it with certain despair. Now, everyone has adored the last three weeks and can be proud," he added.

Manager Southgate was filled with pride. "I don't think many people expected us to reach the semi-finals given the experience of the last 18 months, but once we had reached them, we really thought we could win the match," he said after the final defeat.

"For us, it was the opportunity to do something that only one team in the history of our nation had achieved," he recalled referring to the distant World Cup trophy they won at home. (D)

09:00
Time in Ecuador
The Saint Petersburg Stadium will host tomorrow the third-place match of Russia 2018 between England and Belgium. Both teams have already faced each other with alternates in the group stage.

There is no trophy this time, but it feels (what has been achieved) like the beginning of something every English person can get used to.
Daily Mail, English newspaper