World Cup 2018: Eric Dier reassures England fans the squad will bounce back stronger than ever after semi-final heartbreak
Three Lions slumped to 2-1 defeat after extra-time but Tottenham man reveals this is only the beginning for this team
DEVASTATED Eric Dier has promised fans that England will be back - and will be "even better".
Spurs midfielder Dier came on in extra-time as Gareth Southgate tried to wrestle back control from Croatia in the World Cup semi-final.
But Mario Mandzukic’s 109th-minute goal proved a mountain England’s brave troops could not conquer as they saw their dreams of glory fade and die in the Luzhniki.
Dier, though, only 24, pledged: “This will only increase our hunger for more.
“It hurts to go out but soon we will be able to look back and see the good that’s come from this.
“I know, 100 per cent, that we want to be back playing games like Croatia and even bigger ones. We believe we will be as well.”
Dier, who replaced the shattered Jordan Henderson, added of the defeat: “I wouldn’t say it was because they were more experienced - I can’t remember the last time Croatia were in this kind of game.
“But what I’ve learned from this World Cup, watching the other semi-final and this game, is that they are decided on small margins.
“You have to be fully focused for 90, 120, 130 minutes even - whatever it takes. Small margins decide games. We’ve seen that so many times and it happened again.
“But we will improve, definitely. We HAVE to learn from this, take the positives, learn from the negatives.
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“This squad was one of the youngest here in Russia. The basis of this squad will be the basis of England for years to come.
"We will get better and better for the experience in the future.”
The reception from the travelling England fans was a million miles away from that Dier had on his previous tournament in 2016.
Dier agreed: “There’s a huge contrast between how we went out in France and how we’re leaving this one.
“The fans were fantastic - as they have been through the tournament. They have given us so much.
"I feel we have reconnected with them. The relationship has been so negative for such a long time and to have reignited that and reconnected with them is special.
“It makes playing for England special having that natural feeling.
“When we get home we will feel a sense of pride at bringing the nation together.
“The country is going through quite a difficult time.
"We feel we’ve given the people something to cheer and enjoy and take their minds off everything else. We’ve brought people together.”