by Samuel A. December 15, 2022
The Three Lions came into the 2022 FIFA World Cup as joint third favorites to win the trophy and bring football home for the first time since their famous 1966 victory. The improvement of the squad from their previous appearance four years earlier was glaring and the England team looked good to go. From the addition of youngsters like Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka to more squad depth, having quality players like Alexander Arnold, James Maddison and Marcus Rashford only good enough for the bench, the England National Team looked like the real deal this year.
The campaign started with a 6-2 thumping over Iran, with Saka netting twice in what was a memorable debut for the lad. Grealish and Rashford getting involved in a couple of goals from the bench made them look even scarier as they exploited Iran’s weaknesses quite will and executed their chances too.
They went on to settle for a goalless draw vs the USMNT in the second game and they looked so dull, less threatening unlike the opening game. Speculations started to rise that the team has always been overhyped and they have never been real contenders for any trophy with prestige.
They responded well to the criticism as Rashford’s double was enough to finish top of their group and send their neighboring country home.
They went on to face the Tenega Lions in the last 16 in a match where quite a number of people expected Senegal to knock them out. It turned out quite different as Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka helped England see them off in what was a Jude Bellingham show.
In the quarter finals England was set to face France in what was their biggest test ever – to beat the defending champions. This matchup between the two sides was meant to be based on the outcome of Kylian Mbappe – Kyle Walker battle. It all started in the 17th minute of the game as France’s Upamecano won the ball and immediately started a counter attack that was brilliantly finished by Tchouameni to score his 1st international goal. The lead lasted till the 54th minute when Harry Kane blasted a penalty to the top left corner. The England team looked to be the better side of the game till Giroud’s 78th minute header saw France retain their lead. The three lions were given a chance to go level again after Mason mount won the second England penalty. With the hopes of a second semi final in a row at stake, Harry blasted the penalty over the bar and that was enough to see the defending champions go through and continue their quest for their second consecutive world cup title. With grief and pain, the England team tweeted that they were “heartbroken”, telling dejected fans: “We so desperately wanted this time to be our time, but it wasn’t meant to be. Thank you for being there with us every step of the way. Your support back home and in Qatar has been incredible.” We’re hoping 2026 will be another chance for The Three Lions to emerge victorious in this competition and football will finally bring the cup home.
