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World Cup 2018: England’s loss to Croatia is most watched event since London 2012 with peak of 26.5 million viewers

ENGLAND'S World Cup semi-final loss to Croatia had peak viewing figures of 26.5million, making it the most watched five minutes of TV since the 2012 London Olympics.

The nation was captivated by the tentative opening four minutes and in raptures during the 63 spent in the lead after Kieran Trippier’s goal.

England fans were glued to TV screens both large and small for the agonising defeat
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England fans were glued to TV screens both large and small for the agonising defeatCredit: Alamy Live News

The peak figure came in extra time after Ivan Perisic’s equaliser on 68 minutes forced another 30 minutes.

Around 26.5 million were tuned into ITV as England tried to snatch victory in their first World Cup semi-final in 28 years.

Back home, a crowd of 30,000 were in London's Hyde Park for a large-screen viewing.

The British Beer and Pub Association predicted supporters would buy 10 million extra pints at pubs during the match.

Biggest telly moments

  1. England win World Cup final, 1966  32.3m
  2. Princess Di's funeral, 1997   32.1m
  3. Royal Family documentary, 1969  30.7m
  4. Den divorces Angie, EastEnders, 1986  30.1m
  5. Apollo 13 splashdown, 1970   28.6m
  6. FA Cup final replay, 1970  28.5m
  7. Charles and Di's wedding, 1981   28.4m
  8. Den and Angie fight, EastEnders, 1987   28m
  9. Princess Anne's wedding, 1973     27.6m
  10. Ali v Frazier I, 1971    27.5m
Fans in London celebrate the result of the England and Tunisia game
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Fans in London celebrate the result of the England and Tunisia gameCredit: PA:Press Association
One fan drowns himself in beer during the England and Croatia match
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 One fan drowns himself in beer during the England and Croatia matchCredit: AFP or licensors
Supporters up and down the country held their heads in their hands as England struggled to get a foothold in the game and were knocked out
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Supporters up and down the country held their heads in their hands as England struggled to get a foothold in the game and were knocked outCredit: AP:Associated Press

FROM RUSSIA WITH LIVE All the latest action, news, goals and gossip from the World Cup

 

For the Sweden quarter-final, a peak audience of 19.9million tuned into the BBC to see England make their first semi-final in the tournament in 28 years.

But the figures only include those who watched it from their living rooms - with the true number believed to be closer to 30million when pub viewers are taken into account.

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A further 3.5million were expected to have watched in England’s 40,000 pubs, the British Beer and Pub Association predicted.

At its highest point, roughly four in five people watching TV in the UK were tuned into the football on ITV.

The knock-out match also dwarfed England's previous group stage matches which saw 18m glued to the match against Tunisia.

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