The World Cup Semi Final was a nerve wracking match. The first half, England were ahead inside 5 minutes, and then dominated. They should have been 2 or 3 goals up by the interval. The second half was entirely different. Croatia took control, and England saw very little of the ball. It was no surprise when they got their equaliser. And so it went to extra time.
The Croats continued to dominate and although England defended bravely, they were unable to prevent them scoring the winner late in the second half of ET.
The Croats have a quality team, and were fully deserving of their victory. The England players will be disappointed but they can hold their heads high. They were the youngest squad at this competition, the least experienced, but played with passion and it was obvious they were proud to represent their country. For the first time since Euro 96, we had an England team that were a pleasure to watch.
They will be back. They will have learnt a lot and they will be a force to reckon with. Euro 2020, here we come!
Would you believe it? For the first time ever, England won a World Cup penalty shoot-out.
Would you believe it? For the first time ever, England won a World Cup penalty shootout. England were the better side in the first half, and were deserving of the opening goal. In the last half hour, the Colombians were pushing England back, and they began to take control. It was tense and in the 93rd minute they finally got their goal. Utterly gutting.
And so into extra time. Having conceded such a late goal, it would not have been a surprise if a a demoralised England had folded, and the first half of extra time was difficult. The Colombians continued to push, but England held out. In the second half of ET, England began attacking again, creating chances, but were unable to score.
Penalties. I couldn't watch. I had been here too many times before and I thought we were on our way out. But then, a superb save by Jason Pickford gave England the chance they needed and when Eric Dier scored the winner, the whole country erupted. Having seen England lose on penalties so many times in the past, it was such an incredible result.
The most impressive aspect however was the strength of character shown by the players. This is an inexperienced squad, but they have a belief in themselves, in each other, and in Gareth Southgate they have manager who knows how to get the best out of his team. I am not convinced they have what it takes to win this World Cup, but the foundations have been laid.
And without a doubt they have restored pride in English football.
Iceland have more volcanoes than professional players. England were abject, I have never seen such an awful performance.
Last night England were knocked out of Euro 2016. Beaten 2-1 by Iceland. Iceland. A country of 300,000 with no professional teams. They have more volcanoes than professional players. England were abject, I have never seen such an awful performance.
After the match Roy Hodgson resigned. He would have been sacked anyway, so it was just as well he did so. He is an honourable man who made some appalling tactical decisions. A bit like David Cameron who resigned as the PM in the wake of the referendum. Another honourable man who made some poor tactical decisions.
In the days since the vote, I remain convinced the decision to leave was the right one. I had always thought the EU was a corrupt, self serving institution. It needs reform, but it was never likely to happen without a seismic event; Britain's decision to leave may prove to be that event. Juncker, the EU President is being blamed in part for the British decision. Some of the Eastern European members are questioning the direction the EU is taking and are even arguing the treaty that binds the members should be completely redrafted.
The ramifications of the vote will be quite profound.