No defeat is happy, but England's defeat in the World Cup semifinals, on Wednesday against Croatia (2-1), still has a small taste of victory: after so many disappointments, the British team has reconciled with their fans and their youth brings some hope.
At only 28 years old, Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson is one of the most experienced players in the 'Three Lions' team, even more so than the very relevant Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Dele Alli, or Jordan Pickford.
Youth was the weakness of the English against the tough Croatians, who will play their first final in history against France on Sunday.
But it is also a great reason for optimism: "There are fantastic players to come, it is a very exciting time for English football," Henderson said on Tuesday. "I hope they keep growing, learning, and do it at the highest level in World Cups and European Championships."
From Iceland to Croatia
"This experience can give this group a lot of confidence to keep progressing and, hopefully, win some trophies along the way," Henderson stated.
The trophies, aside from a possible honorary third place that England will compete for on Saturday against Belgium, will have to wait. But the English team has already won a place in the hearts of its supporters, and that is also a victory.
Two years ago, the 'Three Lions' were the laughingstock of the world, even at home, after their elimination in the round of 16 of the 2016 European Championship at the hands of surprising Iceland.
"After Iceland, we knew we had to change things," Tottenham player Eric Dier said on Monday. "We knew that we could not allow this to happen again. We learned from our mistakes, corrected things, and saw how the country stood behind us."
Support for Southgate
The English have also supported coach Gareth Southgate, despite skepticism about his signing, especially considering his poor record as a coach (three seasons at Middlesbrough, three as a youth coach), and because he missed a penalty against Germany in the 1996 European Championship, depriving his team of a final. But his human management, elegance, and results have won over a good part of the country.
"He has a lot of empathy, expresses himself clearly, has strong emotional intelligence, and understands very well how to stay connected with the players and get the best out of his team and staff," judged Dan Ashworth, technical director of the English Federation in July.
Breaking barriers
"We have managed to make history with the biggest victory in a major tournament for England (6-1 against Panama), the first victory in a knockout match in 10 years, and our first victory in the quarterfinals in even longer. We are focusing on the possibility of continuing to break barriers," the 47-year-old coach said before the match against Croatia.
Southgate is only the third coach to reach the semifinals with England, after 1966, when the 'Three Lions' won their only title, and in 1990.
Since his arrival, "the biggest change is that we have an identity and play like a team," Henderson explained. "I think it is the most solid English team I have played in. It is a big difference and you feel rewarded for it."
With praise instead of boos when going home... waiting for titles. (D)