Another World Cup. Another quarter-final exit for England!
England's 2-1 loss at the hands of the defending champions France on Saturday cruelly broke the collective heart of a nation that expected much more from its talented side. Captain Harry Kane's crucial miss from the spot was the final nail on the coffin. England's long wait for a major trophy will now stretch beyond 56 years.
The overall mood of the country and that of the Three Lions supporters all over the world was summarised by the back page headline of the Sunday Express: 'End of the World'.
'Lion Hearts Broken' - World Cup agony for England, screamed the front page of the Sunday Mirror. While the Sun on Sunday ran 'Harry's Pain' on its front page, the Daily Star summed up the debacle with 'French Fried' – 'Harry Kane's penalty 'hell' ends another World Cup bid'.
Disappointment is palpable and justified. England had finished fourth four years ago in Russia and reached the final of the European Championship last year.
England's defeat by France in Qatar was watched by an average UK audience of 19.4 million viewers, TV figures showed.
A peak five-minute audience of 21.31 million people tuned in to ITV (and +1) to watch the end of the World Cup 2022 quarter-final match. The five-minute peak of 21.31 million was the most-watched single channel TV moment of 2022 so far. The most-watched overall TV moment this year was during the Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September, when a peak audience of 28 million people tuned in across various channels.
England's Harry Kane and teammates react after conceding a second goal to France during their World Cup quarter-final on Saturday. REUTERS
Gareth Southgate-coached side gave more hopes to the fans while in Qatar – they were impressive against Iran (6-2) and Wales (3-0) before playing a drab draw against the USA (0-0). In the Round of 16 they lifted up their game considerably against the African champions Senegal (3-0). Their 13 goals came from eight different players. It was their highest number at a World Cup.
Against France England played admirably well and importantly managed to nullify the major threat of Kylian Mbappé at Al Bayt Stadium but still they came unstuck. Fans find it difficult to understand that the team failed yet again to clear the quarter-finals at the showpiece event - England have been knocked out of the World Cup quarter-finals seven times, more than any other country.
They have cleared it only three times; first when they became champions in 1966 (beating West Germany 4-2 at extra time), then when they lost to Italy in the third-place play-off in 1990 and lost to Belgium in another third-place play-off in 2018, after a semi-final run that ended in extra-time heartbreak against eventual runners-up Croatia.
On Saturday against France, Kane helped England draw level with a penalty shot at the 54th minute after Aurelien Tchouameni in the 17th minute had put the reigning champions in front. Veteran Olivier Giroud put France in front again in the 78th minute. But England were offered a golden opportunity to equalize with a spot kick six minutes from the final whistle. Kane blasted the ball over the bar and the rest is as they say history.
It took just a single miscued spot-kick for Kane, who top-scored in Russia four years ago with six goals, to go from 'hero to zero'.
Kane admitted his penalty miss is “something he will have to live with”.
“It's tough to take for me personally and the team,” Kane told BBC Sport.
“It will be something I have to live with and take on the chin.”
Kane was brave enough to own up to his mistake though.
“I couldn't be prouder of the boys. We had better spells, better chances but football comes down to small details - as the captain and the one who missed the penalty, I take responsibility for that.
“I can't fault my preparation or the details before the game. I felt confident taking it, just didn't execute it the way I wanted to.”
During the game Kane, 29, had a moment of individual glory when he scored through the first penalty. It was his 53rd goal for his country, drawing him level with Wayne Rooney as England's all time top scorer in international football.
Rooney had a word of praise for the England side as well as Kane who managed just two goals in Qatar.
“Absolutely gutted for the lads but proud of the way they've played this tournament and they should be proud. Congratulations to @HKane on equalling the record, he'll be on his own soon and couldn't think of anyone better to take over. Keep your head up Harry,” he wrote on Twitter.
For England's heart-breaking exit it's wrong to single out captain Kane's miss, Southgate told the media.
“It is a result of 100 minutes of football and a lots of things that happened at both ends of the pitch. Even if that penalty was scored, we had a lot to do to win the game,” Southgate said.
“We've always stuck together as a team... We win or lose together, simple as that.”
Among those who shower praise for England's overall show in Qatar are some former and present players.
Players comfort England's forward Harry Kane after losing to France. AFP
“The heart and determination of this team has been nothing short of inspiring, we wanted to go further, but it wasn't to be,” the midfielder Mason Mount said on Twitter.
“Proud to call this group not only my team-mates, but my brothers.”
“We know how many penalties Harry has scored for us,” the England midfielder Jordan Henderson said after the 2-1 loss.
“He (Kane) scored the first one and how many goals he has scored to get us here.... he'll be stronger for it in the long run I'm sure. He's a world-class striker and our captain and we wouldn't have even been here without him.”
All is not lost for England as some people say. Southgate who was also in charge of the team in Russia, has blooded a group of youngsters alongside the tried and tested.
Declan Rice is 23, Mason Mount is 23, Phil Foden is 22, Bukayo Saka is 21, Jude Bellingham is 19. Boy, they were impressive at Qatar 22.
“I don't think we looked out of place. There are so many good things they've done, so much to be excited about - like the age of the players,” Southgate said.
“We've once again shown the rest of the world that English football is healthy and we've got some players not only for now but for the future as well.”
For all probability Southgate looks to stay as the manager. And his young England side will soon have another chance to prove their mettle as the European Championship in Germany in 2024 is just 18 months away.