Three Lions Pride Restored but now they’re coming home.

Not before the Third/ Fourth place play off of course. In terms of significance think Lincoln City v Norwich City and in terms of desirability, well I’m sure the players would rather be on the plane back but that is the lot of losing semi-finalists, Belgium will feel the same.

For me, Harry Kane’s sure footedness in front of goal deserted him in the game, chances were fashioned but not taken not just by Kane but by others too and, well Croatia got better as the game progressed and England faded.

All in all though a highly satisfactory World Cup and I’m sure there’s more to come as the re think at England level progresses. France and Spain in particular have benefitted from a root and branch reform, why not England? In fact if this is the embryonic team, with a relatively inexperienced manager we can look forward with hope.

Come to think of it, this has been one of the very few occasions I’ve actually enjoyed watching England at a tournament, the other being Euro ’96, itself a false dawn so let’s hope this time we really are getting a seat at the top table.

So well done to England, you’ve done us proud. We needed a break after the mess our politicians have got us into. At least there’s the holidays to look forward to, oh and the football season of course.

It would be quite wrong not to congratulate Croatia on their win and to wish them all the best in the final. They have had a painful and remarkable journey, historically, to this World Cup Final. Now go and win it.