England mustn’t get carried away after Panama win with Belgium the real test at World Cup 2018
There is the theory that maybe losing to Belgium would give Three Lions an easier path in the World Cup but you should not subscribe to that
YOU must forgive any soccer fans from the United States who appear to be in a particularly bad mood today.
They are merely wondering how the hell their national team failed to qualify for the World Cup behind this dirty, horrible, play-acting and talentless Panama team.
For Gareth Southgate and his England team, their World Cup has now exploded into life in truly unbelievable, mind-boggling, record-breaking fashion.
One of this country’s greatest footballing mismatches was great news for Golden Boot-chasing Harry Kane.
Courtesy of his hat-trick - his last touch and third goal being a bit of a fluke but who cares - he is now the tournament’s leading scorer.
John Stones could never have imagined to score twice in one game at a World Cup finals while Jesse Lingard shrugged off some heavy treatment earlier in the game to score an absolute beauty and he continues to flourish for the Three Lions.
The game in this city east of Moscow also proved that Southgate has been rewarded for hours on the training pitch.
He has turned England into a brutal scoring machine from set pieces and they look likely to find the net from any corner or free-kick, something which certainly did not happen under Roy Hodgson.
With one hiccup, a goal conceded at 6-0 up, this overwhelming victory was also a stress-free run-out for a defence which is still a work in progress.
But before we all get too excited - and it was certainly an extraordinary result - do now allow ourselves to become carried away.
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England have deservedly won their first two games but the real test starts with Belgium in Kaliningrad on Thursday, regardless of whether Roberto Martinez fields a weaker team.
This fearless team which is currently playing with freedom and flair will not be afraid.
There is the theory that maybe losing to Belgium would give England an easier path in the World Cup but you should not subscribe to that.
England must keep their feet on the ground but heads in the clouds. They need to keep playing well, keep improving and keep winning.
Panama, whose tactics were a disgrace from the second minute when Lingard was elbowed, were terrible - but you can only win what is put in front of you.
After two group games in Brazil, England were already out of the World Cup.
Most importantly of all, on the orders of Southgate, the team are clearly enjoying themselves and it is the same for all of us here in Russia - and the millions back home.
The words enjoyment and England in one sentence. Who’d have thought . . .