Proud England Out Of World Cup - Reflection On The Tournament

There was a different feeling with this World Cup as England bowed out. I must admit, once it was known we'd be playing in white, I thought we'd struggle. Seriously though, this England side had restored hope to a Nation even before a ball was kicked against Croatia.

Youth was the key for this England side, with only two players from yesterdays starting eleven born before the 1990 World Cup. Significant because that was the last time England made the Semi Finals of the World Cup. Jordan Henderson becomes a third player as he was born a day after England held the Netherlands to a 0-0 draw in the second Group game of Italia '90.

Southgate Proud As England Bow Out Of Russia

Of course, there is still the third place game to come. A meeting between group stage rivals, Belgium to see if this England side can still be the most successful England side on foreign soil. In 1990 England reached the World Cup Semi Final before being defeated by West Germany. The following game was also a loss, with England finishing fourth behind the hosts in Italia '90.

Analysis of the tournament as a whole for England will follow tomorrow. For now though I want to focus on last nights defeat to Croatia. Despite the defeat I finished watching the game with positive thoughts. Not so much that we had blown a golden chance but more that we had given some young players potentially valuable experience.

Russia 2018: Week One In The Books

What an eventful and bizarre first week we have had to the World Cup. Sides we thought should cruise to easy victories found it tough going and sides we thought would struggle set themselves up for a good World Cup.

Week two began just as week one was finishing off. With that result it looks as if week two will be just as good as the first.