If you are reading this, then England have qualified for the quarter finals of this current World Cup. It is quite an achievement for what is a predominately young squad. For my two bobs worth you have to give full credit to manager Gareth Southgate. He came in on the back of the debacle surrounding Big Sam Allardyce and from the start, Southgate made his mark on the team, by leaving out long established names on team sheets, like Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart.
Instead Southgate brought in many players he had worked with in the Under 21s and has blended a strong togetherness and unity, which has not been seen for a while. They also have a strong desire to win as witnessed in the last minute win in the opening game against Tunisia.
Getting to the last 16 this time around has put a lot of faith back into the England set up after that horrifying display and 2-1 defeat against Iceland in the European Championships of 2016. Only one word can sum up that particular evening. Humiliating.
As a result, expectations this year were pretty much rock bottom. As it turned out, this has made a nice change really, in contrast with other major championships, where England were hyped up by the media and expected to do well in tournaments, possibly to even win them. This time, we’ll get it right, and all that….
But for whatever reason, be it management or inter team rivalry, it just never worked. Despite a couple of wonderful moments, ultimately, it all ends in disappointment once again.
If you can suffer it, here’s a brief look back.
1966. England – Of course the only win in the World Cup that the country has achieved. The now legendary England team, on home soil, defeated West Germany, 4-2 after extra time. The life of hat trick hero Geoff Hurst would never the same again.
1970. Mexico – England again came up against West Germany, this time in the quarter finals and took a two nil lead. England manger Sir Alf Ramsey took off Bobby Charlton after 70 minutes to save his legs for the Semi Final, only for it all to unravel and England lost 3-2 in extra time. I can still hear my poor old dad saying ‘oh no, oh no’ as the final whistle went.
1974. West Germany – 1978. Argentina – England do not qualify.
1982. Spain – England topped their group, after winning all three games, with Bryan Robson scoring against France in just 27 seconds. But ultimately Brooking, and a half fit Keegan, can only draw both games with Germany and Spain in the next round and we’re out.
1986. Mexico – England go out in the quarterfinals beaten by Argentina, well actually mainly Maradona who ‘scored’ two goals. His first, with the obliging ‘hand of God. ‘ His second was simply unstoppable. John Barnes came on as sub and immediately inspired England, with Gary Lineker getting one back, but alas, it was not enough.
1990. Italy – Ouch. The closest England has come to getting in the final since 1966. David Platt scores a great goal to beat Belgium, and Lineker gets a couple against Cameroon to put England in the semi final versus, yes you’ve guessed it, West Germany. One nil down, Lineker equalises and Waddle then hits the post and bar and Platt has one disallowed. Pearce and Waddle miss from the penalty spot in the shoot out. Pure agony
1994. USA – England do not qualify.
1998. France – England stumbles out of the group and then faces another old foe Argentina in the round of 16. A baby faced Michael Owen scores a wonder goal, Beckham gets sent off and we lose AGAIN on penalties. David Batty missing the crucial one.
2002. Japan – Beckham scores a penalty against Argentina and England face and beat Denmark in the first knock out stages. Then Ronaldinho of Brazil does Seaman with a ‘was it a cross or a shot?’ and we’re out, losing 2-1.
2006. Germany – England top their group, then beat Ecuador to face Portugal. Rooney is sent off and we lose on penalties AGAIN – can you see a pattern emerging here?
2010. South Africa – England get out (just) of the group (Rob Green look away now) but then lose to a rampant Germany team. Frank Lampard scores in off the bar, but the ref doesn’t give it. Echoes of the disputed Geoff Hurst goal from 1966 can be heard loud and clear amid German laughing.
2014. Brazil – A thoroughly poor effort as England end up bottom of their group. A root and branch treatment of the national set up is badly needed and that immediately gets under way.
POSTCRIPT.
In the intervening four years since Brazil, the England youth set up is now beginning to bear fruit. The Under 21s have won three straight Toulon tournaments, the Under 19s are European Champions and the Under 17s are the current World Champions.
So fair play to Southgate who has picked kids from some of these teams for the full squad. Can we dare to dream, or will the hope kill us all like before?
Only time will tell and you know you’ll be watching….
The Mumper of SE5
