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In the aftermath of England ’s final game of the World Cup , Gareth Southgate confirmed what had just been apparent on the pitch. His tired side had just been outplayed by a far hungrier, sharper Belgium team, sending England home with no medals to show for all their obvious progress on and off the pitch.
“We finished in the top four, deservedly in this tournament, helped by the draw,” Southgate said. “But we're not a top four team yet. And we know that.”
It was the fairest assessment yet of the England campaign, of its obvious success and over-achievement, but also of the reasons not to get over-excited. There has been plenty of hype around this England campaign, and Southgate’s tenure so far, but he is having none of it.
Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-offShow all 73 1 /73Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off England fan
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off insta-beer-selfie?
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Beers!
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Eden Hazard runs with the ball
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Belgium fan
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Dries Mertens looks on
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off England's Dele Alli warming up
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off A happy fan
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Kane prior to World Cup - Third Place Play Off - Belgium v England
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Harry Kane considers his options prior to the game
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off England's Eric Dier warming up
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off England's Jamie Vardy wife, Rebekah Vard
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Belgium and England line up
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Thibaut Courtois of Belgium sings the national anthem
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Vincent Kompany of Belgium
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off England fans in London
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off ngland's Jamie Vardy wife, Rebekah Vardy, on the stands
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Fern Hawkins (right), girlfriend of England's Harry Maguire in the stands
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Roberto Martinez, Head coach of Belgium hugs Gareth Southgate
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off England fans celebrate at home
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Kieran Trippier
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off England manager Gareth Southgate on the touchline
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Belgium's Romelu Lukaku reacts
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off England's Dele Alli on the sideline
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Nacer Chadli of Belgium leaves the pitch
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Roberto Martinez is having fun
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Roberto Martinez, Head coach of Belgium
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Southgate advises
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Pickford looks on
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Southgate advice
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Thirsty work
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Southgate the sage
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off England not confident
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Tackle time
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Belgium's Axel Witsel during the match
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Belgium assistant coach Thierry Henry
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Martinez reacts
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Southgate reacts
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Manager orders
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Manager woe
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Belgium celebration
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Belgium 1 up
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Southgate alone
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Celebration
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Scuffle
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Belgium run
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Kane under pressure
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Southgate in charge
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Flying kick
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Eden Hazard challeneg
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Fans cheer
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Thomas Meunier is challenged by Danny Rose
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Kane floored
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Things are getting tense
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Pickford dives
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Belgian shot
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off England tackle
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off England team
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Rashford goes down
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off A shot at goal
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Belgium's Toby Alderweireld clears the ball
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off England dejected
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Kane at the end
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Belgium 2-0
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off England's Fabian Delph
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Kane in depsair
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Southgate dejected
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Flying to victory
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Another loss
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Belgium v England: World Cup third place play-off Hugs all round
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Of course Southgate is proud of what he has achieved so far. Let no-one say that the gains of this summer are somehow illusory, or flukey, or a brief change in temperature that will be long forgotten when the new season sets in. Southgate has built a popular, unified, effective England team, that tries to play the right way and which can perform under pressure. That might sound basic, or like an obvious first step. But Sam Allardyce, Roy Hodgson, Fabio Capello and Steve McClaren could never do it.
Southgate has provided England with something they had been seeking for years, but never quite been brave enough to deliver: a fresh start. To leave behind established players, to focus on the youngsters, knowing that it might hit England’s winning this time, but might increase them a few tournaments down the line. Who knows whether it will work out that way, at Euro 2020, or Qatar 2022, but to even try that represents a rare push for long-sightedness and genuine ambition, in an industry that is short on both.
“The last seven weeks have been exactly what we hoped they would be, in terms of the improvement in the team, the experiences for the younger group of players,” Southgate said. “They will be buoyed by the positive experiences, of which there have been many. The defeats have been hugely important for our development as well.”
As Southgate always reminds people whenever he has the chance, you can read too much into results, especially in tournament football. This is a low-scoring game, with fine margins at the mercy of random events. There is not even a 38-game season over which variance can be evened out. Contingent little events - Kane’s winner against Tunisia, Marcus Rashford not equalising against Belgium, Jordan Pickford saving from Carlos Bacca - sway outcomes far more decisively than in a regular season.
That is why measuring progress on results alone is so difficult. Southgate himself admitted that England were fortunate to end up in the half of the draw that they were in. And it would be difficult to argue that had England drawn 1-1 with Belgium in Kaliningrad, and won their group, that they would have got to the semi-finals. Not with Brazil to play in the quarter-finals before then. England are not “a top four team”, as Southgate conceded.
Southgate returns with a team renewed
(AFP/Getty Images)
But then contingency and chance are the whole point of an international tournament. No-one pretends it is a perfect merit test. And being able to get over the line in knock-out games, even in the gentle side of the draw, is an achievement in itself. No-one with any familiarity with England’s history can turn their nose up at winning a penalty shootout in a World Cup last-16, especially given they missed first. Or at the nerveless execution of a quarter-final against a stubborn Sweden side, with none of the angsty drama that usually marks England’s biggest games.
The way that England won those games, as well as their two group stage wins, points to a team who have been freed up from some of the fear of failure of the past. That is a point Southgate always emphasised, and his work with the team psychologist was focused on continuing to play their best even while situations went against them. A generous interpretation of Kane’s late winner against Tunisia - when England looked to have run out of ideas - is that they were rewarded for sticking to their plan and not rushing their execution.
England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Show all 100 1 /100England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fans in Hyde Park
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fans in Trafalgar Square
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fans in Hyde Park
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans at the stadium
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fans on Brighton beach
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fans pose
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fan, at Wimbledon quarter-final
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Croatia loves England
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fan
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fans in Moscow
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fans in Moscow
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fans in Moscow
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fan in Flat Iron Square, London
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Only in Manchester
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans watching in Hyde Park
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans in Manchester
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans in South London
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans watching in Hyde Park
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans watch Croatia v England in Southgate
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans celebrate England goal in Manchester
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans celebrate Tipper's goal at The Royal Hospital Chelsea
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final St Peters Square, Stockport, England fans watch the match
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans celebrate England's goal from Keiran Trippier at the Henley Royal Regatta
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fans celebrate their team's opening goal as they watch the FIFA World Cup semi final between England and Croatia at a public viewing in London
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans celebrate opening goal at Castlefield Bowl, Manchester
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fans at home celebrate in Flat Iron Square, London
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans cheer on England at Nottingham Castle
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fans celebrate their team's opening goal in BoxPark Croydon
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans watch a live broadcast on a big screen of the semi-final match between Croatia and England in Hyde Park
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England's first goal celebrated in Hyde Park
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Amazement in Flat Iron Square
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans celebrate in Hyde Park
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fans celebrates Kieran Trippier's goal
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans celebrate England's goal in London
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans celebrate England's goal in Manchester
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans celebrate England's goal in Hyde Park
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England celebrates in sunny Hyde Park
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans in Castlefield, Manchester
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Football fans celebrate the first goal in Manchester
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Hyde Park party
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final The Royal Chelsea Hospital enjoying the semi-final
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans watching the game at Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, St Albans,
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Tension all around
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans celebrate inMillennium Square, Leeds
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fans celebrate England's opening goal, London
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Stockport celebrates England's goal
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fans celebrate England's opening goal
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England celebrate
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Nottingham Castle fans watch on
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Croatia score
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final It's 1-1
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fans feel the fear
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Panic set in
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fans on edge
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans sorrow
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fans are not pleased
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Flaoting footballs in Hyde Park
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final A couple on Wimbledon Common listen to the semi-final
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final An England fan reacts
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Unhappy Leeds
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Unhappy fans at the Churchill Arms in London
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Zagreb celebrates staying in the game
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Unhappy London
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Unhappy Manchester
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Flat Iron Square fears
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final The fans hope
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final The fans feel loss
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final The fans can't believe it
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Unhappy Nottingham
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans watch in disbelief
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Shock for the fans
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans watch from their boats in Brighton
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Brighton beach party
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final London concerned
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fans watching in Canada
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Brighton beach tension
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final They think it's all over
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final A unconcerned seagull watches the match
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Desperation for England fans
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans react
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Northwich watches on
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final What are you doing scream fans
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final What are we to do
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans watch in horror
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans fury
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans fear
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England sunglasses
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans have given up hope
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans react to extra time
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Southgate concerned for Southgate
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Rooftop support
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fear from the fans
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final The fans are not happy
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Empty M1 during semi-final
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans in despair
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Fans dejected
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final All hope gone
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final England fans dejected after losing to Croatia
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England fans cheer on Three Lions at World Cup semi-final Dejected England fans
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That goal was maybe England’s most important of the tournament, not least because it is worth wondering what would have happened had they only drawn 1-1 in their first game. But it was more important because it pointed to how important set-pieces would be over the course of England’s World Cup. Of their 12 goals, England scored four from corners, three from penalties and two from free-kicks. That is testament to the clever planning of Allan Russell, the sharp, practiced execution of Kane, Kieran Trippier , Ashley Young and the rest, and the players attacking the ball with their heads. It represents a rare moment of intelligence and efficiency from England, realising how important set pieces are in tournaments and doing everything they can to maximise that particular skill. England teams are not always this switched on.
England must now take the next step
(PA)
But all that set-piece success has inevitably led to questions about open play, creativity, midfield and all the questions that predate Southgate by generations. And for all the good work he has done, transforming the England team, this is where it becomes clear that he cannot transform English football. Not by himself, not yet.
Because England can still not dominate and control a high-level game in midfield against a good side. That was the simple message of Croatia, when England tried to run Croatia off the pitch but ended exhausting themselves in the process. The midfield balance was certainly dynamic, but sometimes you need less energy and a bit more nuance to your approach. That lack of midfield class explains why England were eventually beaten by Croatia and why they struggle to create chances in open play. For their clubs Kane and Raheem Sterling have Christian Eriksen, David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne feeding them. No English midfielder comes close.
Best pictures of the World CupShow all 101 1 /101Best pictures of the World Cup Best pictures of the World Cup Best pictures of the World Cup
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Best pictures of the World Cup England fans react to the game against Croatia
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Best pictures of the World Cup France fans celebrate their win
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Best pictures of the World Cup Belgium's Thomas Vermaelen goes flying in the third place play off
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Best pictures of the World Cup Belgium fans celebrate placing third
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Best pictures of the World Cup France fans celebrate their win
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Best pictures of the World Cup Japan fans clean the stands after their group match against Senegal
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Best pictures of the World Cup Lightning strikes as France celebrates their win
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Best pictures of the World Cup France fans pose as a national flag before their quarter final game against Uruguay
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Best pictures of the World Cup Sweden score against Switzerland
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Best pictures of the World Cup Gareth Southgate and Harry Kane shake hands after losing the semi final against Croatia
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Best pictures of the World Cup A cyclist is seen through a Russian flag in Ekaterinburg
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Best pictures of the World Cup Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic presents Russina President Vladimir Putin with his very own Croatian football shirt
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Best pictures of the World Cup A World Cup Trophy replica is seen on the bumper of Gretar Jonsson and Kristbjorn Hilmir Kjartansson's Lada
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Best pictures of the World Cup Colombia fans show their support in the stand
Best pictures of the World Cup Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev and Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic shake hands after their match which sent Croatia to the semi-final
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Best pictures of the World Cup Displaced Syrians watch the World Cup in Ain Issa camp in Raqqa province
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Best pictures of the World Cup Iran's players lift their coach Carlos Queiroz as they celebrate winning their opening Group B match against Morocco at the Saint Petersburg Stadium
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Best pictures of the World Cup Croatia fans watch the final
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Best pictures of the World Cup Brazilian football fans
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Best pictures of the World Cup A crowd watches the final under the Eiffel Tower in Paris
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Best pictures of the World Cup Russian fans celebrate
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Best pictures of the World Cup Jesse Lingard celebrates with teammate Raheem Sterling after scoring England's third goal during the group G match against Panama at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium
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Best pictures of the World Cup Flying men
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Best pictures of the World Cup Brazil's forward Neymar reacts after beeing tackled by Switzerland's midfielder Valon Behrami
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Best pictures of the World Cup Pre the Group F match South Korea vs Germany
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Best pictures of the World Cup Miguel Layun of Mexico throws plastics cups of the pitch
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Best pictures of the World Cup Trippier and Kane celebrate with Pickford after he saves a penalty in the shootout against Colombia
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Best pictures of the World Cup Topless
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Best pictures of the World Cup Colombia fans show their support in the stand
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Best pictures of the World Cup Children play football on a bank of the Volga river in front of the Volgograd arena
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Best pictures of the World Cup Diego Maradona reacts before the Group D football match between Nigeria and Argentina
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Best pictures of the World Cup Senegal's forward Mbaye Niang celebrates after scoring their second goal during the Group H match between Poland and Senegal at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow
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Best pictures of the World Cup Mbappe, age 19, receives the silver ball for best young player
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Best pictures of the World Cup Flying men
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Best pictures of the World Cup Egypt's forward Mohamed Salah reacts at the end of the Group A match between Russia and Egypt
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Best pictures of the World Cup English fans in a Fan Fest watch the Group G football match between Tunisia and England at the Volgograd Arena
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Best pictures of the World Cup Croatia's forward Ante Rebic celebrates after scoring their opener as Argentina's goalkeeper Willy reacts in foreground during the Group D football match at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium
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Best pictures of the World Cup Nigeria's forward Ahmed Musa celebrates after scoring their second goal during the Group D football match between Nigeria and Iceland
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Best pictures of the World Cup A portrait of Argentina's legend Diego Maradona on display during the opening of the Art Project 'Like the Gods', presented by the Museum of the Russian Academy of Arts and Italian artist Fabrizio Birimbelli in Saint Petersburg. The project presents a series of portraits of world football stars and coaches in historical uniforms and includes more than 40 portraits
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Best pictures of the World Cup Serbia's goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic attempts to save a shot by Costa Rica's forward Christian Bolanos during the Group E match at the Samara Arena
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Best pictures of the World Cup An Iran fan cries
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Best pictures of the World Cup Germany's forward Marco Reus scores his teams equalising goal during the Group F football match between Germany and Sweden at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi
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Best pictures of the World Cup Brazil's forward Neymar congratulates Philippe Coutinho for his goal during the Group E football match between Brazil and Costa Rica at the Saint Petersburg Stadium
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Best pictures of the World Cup Belgium's defender Thomas Vermaelen takes part in a training session
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Best pictures of the World Cup Colombia's forward Juan Cuadrado celebrates with teammates after scoring during the Group H match between Poland and Colombia at the Kazan Arena
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Best pictures of the World Cup Fans of Mexico celebrate at Angel de la Independencia monument in Mexico City after Mexico beat South Korea 2-1
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Best pictures of the World Cup Lionel Messi celebrates his goal during the Group D match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Saint Petersburg Stadium
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Best pictures of the World Cup Sweden fans line up
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Best pictures of the World Cup Costa Rica's defender Kendall Waston celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the Group E football match between Switzerland and Costa Rica at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium
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Best pictures of the World Cup A Brazil supporter blows a kiss
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Best pictures of the World Cup A Costa Rica fan
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Best pictures of the World Cup Senegal fans cheer
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Best pictures of the World Cup Toni Kroos reacts following Germany's loss to South Korea in their last group match
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Best pictures of the World Cup Mexico soccer fans watch a live telecast of the group F match between Mexico and Sweden
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Best pictures of the World Cup Ousmane Dembele eyes the ball during a training session
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Best pictures of the World Cup Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring France's fourth goal during the round of 16 match against Argentina at the Kazan Arena
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Best pictures of the World Cup Japan after Round of 16 loss to Belgium
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Best pictures of the World Cup A fan cheers during the round of 16 football match between Spain and Russia
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Best pictures of the World Cup Mexican fans watch Mexico v Brazil on a giant screen
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Best pictures of the World Cup Brazil vs Mexico caused this fan some upset
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Best pictures of the World Cup German fan football litter
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Best pictures of the World Cup Japan's supporter picking up litter
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Best pictures of the World Cup Japan after Round of 16 loss to Belgium
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Best pictures of the World Cup Neymar celebrates scoring the opening goal on shoulders of Paulinho during the round of 16 match between Brazil and Mexico at the Samara Arena
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Best pictures of the World Cup Mexican fans watch Mexico v Brazil on a giant screen
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Best pictures of the World Cup Brazil vs Mexico caused this fan some upset
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Best pictures of the World Cup A window cleaner is reflected in the glass in Red Square
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Best pictures of the World Cup Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo helps Uruguay's forward Edinson Cavani after he picked up an injury during the round of 16 football match between Uruguay and Portugal at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi
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Best pictures of the World Cup Fans for the Russia 2018 World Cup football tournament at the train station in Saransk
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Best pictures of the World Cup Spain's midfielder Koke reacts after missing a penalty during the penalty shoot-out in the round of 16 match between Spain and Russia
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Best pictures of the World Cup Sweden's Sebastian Larsson holds a banner to fans after winning the round of 16 match between Switzerland and Sweden
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Best pictures of the World Cup Sweden's Sebastian Larsson holds a banner to fans after winning the round of 16 match between Switzerland and Sweden
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Best pictures of the World Cup Argentina's forward Lionel Messi walks on the pitch
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Best pictures of the World Cup Russia's players celebrate their victory at the end of the round of 16 match against Spain
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Best pictures of the World Cup Fans cheer during the third place match between England and Belgium
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Best pictures of the World Cup England's players celebrate their penalty victory over Colombia in the round of 16
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Best pictures of the World Cup Russian fan celebrating the defeat of Spain
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Best pictures of the World Cup England fan hangs on in desperation in the quarter final against Sweden
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Best pictures of the World Cup
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Best pictures of the World Cup England's coach Gareth Southgate (L) consoles England's defender Ashley Young after their semi-final loss
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Best pictures of the World Cup Brazil's forward Neymar reacts at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup quarter-final
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Best pictures of the World Cup A Brazil fan cheers
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Best pictures of the World Cup FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin embrace each other as they attend the gala-concert
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Best pictures of the World Cup Croatia's players celebrate at the end of the penalty shootouts against Russia
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Best pictures of the World Cup Football fans visiting the embankment on Moscow river
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Best pictures of the World Cup Russian fans react after Russia 2018 World Cup quarter-final football match
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Best pictures of the World Cup Mbappe celebrates
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Best pictures of the World Cup People celebrate France's 1-0 victory in the semi-final on board the Metro in Paris
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Best pictures of the World Cup Mbappe celebrates
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Best pictures of the World Cup Croatia's goalkeeper Danijel Subasic
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Best pictures of the World Cup Matryoshka dolls depicting France's Antoine Griezmann and Croatia's Mario Mandzukic
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Best pictures of the World Cup Arc de Triomphe celebrations
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Best pictures of the World Cup Police officers rest as they patrol an area in central Moscow
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Best pictures of the World Cup French President Emmanuel Macron reacts to France winning the World Cup
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Best pictures of the World Cup FIFA president Gianni Infantino, President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of France Emmanuel Macron during the presentation of the World Cup
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Best pictures of the World Cup
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Best pictures of the World Cup A coffee cup covered by a printed image displaying Croatian and French national football teams in Zagreb
AFP/Getty
Best pictures of the World Cup The shin pads of France's midfielder Paul Pogba are seen next to the World Cup trophy
AFP/Getty Images
Best pictures of the World Cup The illuminated Luzhniki stadium
REUTERS
That is why Southgate says that his team are not of the top bracket, not yet. And that is why he is so pleased to test his team out against Croatia and Spain this autumn. He knows that the gap between England and the pinnacle is still big, bigger than it might look on a World Cup wallchart, bigger than might be suggested by the fact England were 22 minutes away from being in Sunday’s final.
Whether England will get there for Euro 2020 or Qatar 2022, no-one can know. As Southgate says, tournaments are defined by randomness. But simply by stating the problems, starting the hard work, giving the team the re-boot that it needed, he has earned himself more credit, more popularity and more time than any England coach this generation. He has won himself the space to take his next shot at the top.
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