World Cup 2018: Russia fans' heartbreak as hosts exit

A Russian fan cries at the end of the team's quarter-final match against Croatia

World Cup hosts Russia are now out of the tournament after losing on penalties to Croatia.

Russian fans' excitement as their team scored a last-minute goal to equalise turned to sadness and disbelief as Croatia went on to beat Russia 4-3 on penalties.

These fans watched the match at an open-air screening in St Petersburg

Tension was in the air as the match went to penalties

The final minutes were difficult viewing for Russia fans

Russian midfielder Daler Kuzyaev looked on dejectedly after his team were knocked out

His sadness was shared by this lone Russia fan at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi

But the fans also celebrated how far their team - the lowest-ranking side to qualify for this year's World Cup - had come, with crowds dancing and chanting "Russia" in the streets.

President Vladimir Putin described the players as heroes and said that the country was proud of them, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by Interfax new agency. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev thanked the team on his Facebook account.

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Of course Croatian fans, like these in the capital Zaghreb, were jubilant

Their team will now face England in the semi-finals on Wednesday