If you are like me, you will be completely heart-broken today- just hours after that disappointing semi-final defeat. At this very bleak time it's so hard to think of positives after being on such a high. Following England's blistering start with a fifth minute Kieran Tripper free kick, it looked so unlikely that England would somehow let a Croatian side so short of ideas back into the game. 

In the end it was the first half of missed chances that was ultimately England's downfall and that is the toughest pill to swallow. But lets not forget about the positive aspects that the Three Lions have came back home with...

The squad was the youngest that England have ever taken to World Cup finals and that experience is something that shouldn't be downplayed. They will head to the World Cup in 2022 and the European Championships before that in 2020 with a clear mind of what is needed and will not be unfazed by any challenge. 

England's win over Colombia on penalties has without doubt broken a massive hoodoo that has hung over every England squad. To win their first penalty shout out ever in the World Cup is something that shouldn't be forgotten and never downplayed. It will be an experience that all players can recall should they be put in that position again- without doubt, they will. They handled the pressure and surprised every fan- with the majority of English people feeling the writing was on the wall and yet another exit at the hands of a shootout. Not this time.

Pundits, ex-players and any kind of football expert downplayed how far England would go, with the vast majority believing that anything past the group stage would be a success. They were proven to be wrong following controlled, emphatic and calm victories in the opening two games against Tunisia and Panama. Yes, they didn't come up against a so called 'big-boy' but you can only play against what is in front of you.

Colombia and Sweden are both no push overs and combined they have caused problems for Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Italy and Holland. They were both tricky opponents that England made to look very average for large periods.

A semi-final exit would have been seen as roaring success before the opening game and that should not be forgotten, this was an unrivaled success for such an inexperienced side with no proven winners.

Adults today look back with fondness of teams that reached semi-finals in 1990 and 98, this pushed the love on football on them and encouraged some to pursue playing the game and perhaps a few stars were born because of that. This England team has done exactly the same, gripping the nation for weeks on end, making the country feel proud and in love with this team again. If a few younger fans have found their love for the sport now, that will only encourage the amount of players in the grassroots- improving the standard, coaching and therefore the quality of player to choose from. Resulting in a brighter future.

Stars were born in these finals, some of those boys in white would not have been household names before the tournament but now everybody in the UK will know their names. Kieran Trippier, Jesse Lingard, Harry Maguire, Jordan Pickford and Ruben Loftus-Cheek's stock would have all grown. Trippier especially, he will go down as the best right-back in the tournament and boasting a right foot reminiscent of a certain David Beckham, it will come has little surprise that England boast their record goals tally- as well as their record number of goals from set-pieces.

In a time where politics always takes center stage- especially with Brexit looming, the Three Lions found a way to unite the country and keep everyone's (possibly even politicians) minds off the upcoming chaos. Something only sport can do, fans were dancing in the streets and happiness was uncontrollable. It was the talk of every town up and down the country and that is something that has been missing from the national side for the last 20 years. The team did the country and themselves proud and there was nothing left on the pitch and that's the most that you can ask for. 

It hasn't came home this time, but with Gareth Southgate at the helm it might come home sooner than we originally thought.