Well, you’d have to have a heart as cold as ice to not feel a little down in the dumps this morning, as England crashed out of the World Cup semi finals against Croatia last night in Moscow.
Many would relate this World Cup campaign to the last time England reached a semi final back in 1990…yes we all remember ‘An Evening with Gary Lineker’ where Germany were victors on a penalty shoot out…however I liken this year to the 1996 European semi final defeat to Germany.
At that time, the country seemed to be on a bit of a low ebb. The economy wasn’t going great, interest rates were high and people were generally feeling the pinch as well as fed up with politics and possibly even the national football game. These seem to parallel the general feeling of being hacked off in the UK at the moment.
Whether it’s the Brexit negotiations fiasco or the fall out with Russia over the novichok affair…or the general divide amongst the population and of course the general apathy towards England football…but there wasn’t a lot to look forward to in this World Cup.
However, just as in 1996, England started to play well, actually very well indeed. Players stepped up and performed, the manager has been the consummate professional throughout and has acted with class and dignity…and the team have lifted the spirits of English football fans and society as a whole.
Of course, we could all argue that the group stage success was relatively a forgone conclusion and the last 16 match against Columbia, they were no match for the impressive England..although they did try to cheat their way to victory. The quarter final against Sweden was a mis-match in class and quality…so the journey to the semi final saw England rarely tested, but that doesn’t matter really.
They played and beat the opponents presented before them and they were building momentum along the way too. Fans of all ages began to dream, began to become excited at the prospect of bringing the World Cup home. Everyone was singing the song, fan parks went wild when England scored and much beer was flung in celebration too.
The semi final against Croatia was to be a much tougher test…of resolve and skill. However England started amazingly well and largely dominated the first half. Once again, players stepped up and battled hard. Pickford in goal continued to pull off some great saves whilst Croatia were mostly ineffective in the final third…it looked very promising and in fact this was probably the best I had seen England play in over 40yrs.
However, try as they might…the heroic effort could not capitalise on the single goal lead and gradually Croatia gained in confidence and in class too. They started to come alive in the second half and when they scored to level the match…it was a stab in the chest that would deflate the spirits somewhat.
Although they battled on…and even reduced to ten men as Trippier limped off injured and having exhausted all substitutes…it was not enough to stop Croatia scoring a second. England were not robbed as Croatia played very well indeed themselves. They deserved their win…but at the same time England did not deserve to lose either. The players gave everything they had. Fatigue was setting in and mistakes were beginning to bleed through onto the pitch.
Try as they might to increase their lead or level up in extra time, England also fell short in the final third…perhaps that was their undoing, perhaps that is where they need to improve…but perhaps that is where they will find their greatest success in the European championships in two years time.
The England team came together as individuals, as footballing rivals but bonded with confidence, elegance and spirit. They lifted their levels and spirits and allowed a nation to look up from the ground and reach for the heavens, allowed fans to dream and to become the heroes of this footballing generation when nothing was really expected of them.
They have rejuvenated the interest in the international game and shall be welcomed back home with open arms and hearts by an adoring nation…but their journey is not over yet. For their days are young and their manager has purpose to continue and develop this squad for future encounters and further battles.
Rest now…you all deserve it…for tomorrow is another day and a new challenge begins.
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