England fans will look back at World Cup 2018 with great fondness, not only did the Three Lions reach the last four for the first time since 1990 but also did it with a smile and with a sparkle in their boots.
Gareth Southgate’s young team did more than enough to reignite the passion of a nation, whose fans have become more engaged by domestic matters than international in recent years. And their successful route to the semi-final should also lift them up from their current FIFA ranking of 12th.
Southgate has brought a professional air of calm to the head coaching job and has made the ‘impossible task’ look possible. And boy has he wowed us with his sartorial elegance, becoming so famous for his waistcoat that UK retailer Marks and Spencer has reported record sales of the garment—even Harry Potter star Emma Watson has taken inspiration from the gaffer!
It all bodes pretty well for the future and England fans hope football will finally come home in two years time at Euro 20.
Not so great expectations
Few experts, pundit or even fans expected England to progress beyond the quarter-finals in Russia. The World Cup 2018 odds reflected that as well, pitching them in at around 15.00.
Talk among football fans in England was gloomily focused on whether they could be bothered to watch all the games. But as always, once the first whistle blew, the flames of patriotic fervour took hold, fanned by a surprisingly breezy football team.
Long-suffering England fans have become used to disappointment—the underachievement of the golden generation of Beckham, Gerrard, Terry, Ferdinand, Lampard and Rooney and the inevitable exit on penalties, usually to Germany!
But this time, it was different. The young Lions exceed expectations and even won a penalty shootout!
Brave new dawn
By the time this fantastic tournament neared its climax, the England coach, team and nation believed they could reach the final, and it looked a reality for the first hour of the semi-final with Croatia. But striker Mario Mandzukic put paid to that as the unlikely became impossible in extra time.
So how did such a huge transformation happen?
It looked like the same old story as injury time in the opening fixture against Tunisia approached. Having dominated the game, England were pegged back at 1-1 before Captain Marvel Harry Kane stepped up to nod home the winner. It was ecstasy and relief in equal measures and England were on the way.
Of course, skipper Kane has been big World Cup 2018 news as he’s picked up the Golden Boot with six goals. He’s the first Englishman to do this since Gary Lineker in 1986—owing much of his success to a manhandling defence as England hammered Panama 6-1 in the second game.
Kane bagged a hat-trick, two brilliantly struck penalties and a fluke deflection, and England could easily have had five as Panama bizarrely played more rugby than football.
Even when a much-changed side lost to Belgium’s second string, the excitement didn’t wane. In fact, many believed it was a masterstroke by Southgate as the Three Lions landed on the apparently kinder half of the draw.
And so it seemed after penalty shoot-out delight against Colombia was followed by a superbly serene win against Sweden. However, an experienced and highly talented Croatia side was a step too far.
Losing to Belgium in the third-place play-off was no surprise and the England players can hold their heads up high. They were welcomed home as heroes but, as former player and respected pundit Gary Neville said, they were pretty close to becoming legends.
Kieran Trippier was the standout player for many. He defended with vigour and his raids down the right flank and brilliant deliveries were a constant source of assists and a delight to watch. The Spurs man capped off a fine tournament with a sublime free-kick goal in the semi-final.
Jordan Henderson was a colossus in midfield and keeper Jordan Pickford answered many of his critics with a string of spectacular saves.
But the players give the credit to their boss, a man who many of them have worked with for years, as Southgate grew with them through coaching the successful under-21 team.
And that makes a lot of sense.
What next for the young Lions?
It’s onwards and upwards for Gareth’s boys.
They may well feature more prominently in the SBOBET tips for Euro 2020, where they’ll have the advantage of playing some games in front of a passionate England support gloriously reconnected in Russia.
They’ll be two years older and that might help them against the likes of Belgium and Croatia.
But then the equally young champions France will be two years older too.
Maybe a final?
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