England’s 2022 World Cup exit doesn’t feel like the others

This was a performance that supporters have wanted to see for so long, writes Ben Burrows

A new and exciting group were allowed the freedom to play and express themselves, the star-studded French forced back for long periods (Reuters)

Another major tournament, another England disappointment. A tale seemingly as old as time, one has so often followed the other for the men’s national team for more than 50 years now.

This current group, who reached the semi-finals in Russia four years ago and the final of Euro 2020 last summer, had promised much in Qatar too. In winning their group and beating Iran and Wales, the Three Lions scored more goals than any other team. They only conceded twice too, both at the end of a game long won against Iran.

In the last-16, African champions Senegal were emphatically dispatched, England’s attack clicking into gear once more in a comfortable 3-0 win. Fans in this country aren’t used to having it so easy, but such was the confidence that comes with watching this generation, a quarter-final with defending champions France was seen as an opportunity to be grasped, not feared.

Alas, as so many times before, it wasn’t to be, Harry Kane’s late penalty soaring high and wide and ultimately taking the Three Lions’ chances of World Cup glory with it. France instead head to the semi-finals, while England go home.

If the ending was familiar, the feeling around it certainly isn’t. This was an England performance that supporters have wanted to see for so long. A new and exciting group were allowed the freedom to play and express themselves, the star-studded French forced back for long periods as England seized the initiative and stepped forward on the front foot.

Jude Bellingham ran the game in the middle while Bukayo Saka was electric out wide. Indeed, if Kane’s aim had been truer at the last they really could have won it, a positive and proactive mindset so nearly rewarded with a third semi-final in as many tournaments.

Critics will point to another missed opportunity and with the draw opening up around them this World Cup certainly did look as good a chance as any to end all those years of hurt. But this ascending team, with Gareth Southgate hopefully still at the helm, look closer than ever to finally doing it.

The disappointment is certainly the same as it ever was, but the outlook for the future could scarcely be more different.

Yours,

Ben Burrows

Sports editor