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World Cup: England Exceeding Expectations – Can They Go All The Way

By Mahith Gamage

SAMARA, RUSSIA - JULY 07: Harry Maguire of England celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Sweden and England at Samara Arena on July 7, 2018 in Samara, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
SAMARA, RUSSIA - JULY 07: Harry Maguire of England celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Sweden and England at Samara Arena on July 7, 2018 in Samara, Russia. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) /
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Expectations for England were not high heading into Russia, but they have changed that completely.

Led by formidable captain Harry Kane and innovative manager Gareth Southgate, the Three Lions have defied all the odds to become semi-finalists at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

On Saturday against Sweden, England looked comfortable from start to finish, as Harry Maguire’s towering header in the 1st half allowed them to sit back and control the proceedings. Sweden struggled to create any chances and England’s midfielders wreaked havoc between the lines.

Dele Alli’s first World Cup goal in the second half ensured England’s place in the final four – a stage they haven’t reached since 1990.

England’s current generation has shaken off the disappointments of years past.

It’s no secret that England’s supposed “golden generation” in the 2000’s failed to live up to their hefty expectations. With a fully world-class team featuring legends of the game such as John Terry, Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard, and Frank Lampard, expectations were bound to be high.

The end of this golden generation winded down at the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Euros, where England failed to escape the group stage in the former and got knocked out by Iceland in the round of 16 in the latter.

These performances have caused a complete revamp in England’s senior team system, with Gareth Southgate taking a young and hungry side to Russia. Free of all controversy and expectation.

Perhaps this lack of big expectations has allowed England to flourish in Russia, as they’ve played like a tightly-knitted squad and now have a genuine chance to miraculously lift the World Cup for the second time in their history.

Although England are still underdogs to win the World Cup, they still have a good chance.

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England will face-off against Croatia in the semifinal, a side that has squeezed by inferior Denmark and Russia through 2 penalty shootout victories. Although Croatia are just as good as England on paper, if not better, they have progressively gotten worse as the tournament has gone on while the Three Lions have improved.

Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic play for the 2 biggest clubs in the world but were unable to take full control of matches against the vastly weaker midfield’s of both Russia and Denmark. Croatia did play very well in the group stage, but their recent form, matched with England’s, means that this match is essentially 50/50.

If England progress to the final, they will be massive underdogs against whichever side they come up against. Both France and Belgium are far more experienced at the top level compared to this England side, and they have more firepower and defensive solidity.

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This is football though, and in a one-off match, England will still have a chance. This is the best chance England have had to win the World Cup in a long, long time, and although they have a young team, they seem up for the challenge.

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