When the Wembley crowd booed, there were many. Kai HavertzTo put it, I made a magnificent shot in the top corner GermanyOn Monday night, it was 2-0. Although not many, it is enough to suggest Gareth Southgate. England team were approaching a tipping point — from dissent towards outright mutiny — in their final game before the World Cup.
Southgate had called for unity. “This is their last chance to see the boys before they go to the World Cup,” he told England’s supporters beforehand. “And we’re all in it together. We can succeed only if we’re all pushing in the same direction and we’ve all got that positive energy towards doing well.”
Positive energy! Do you remember that? Remember England being swept along on a wave of post-lockdown euphoria last year, beating Germany en route to the European Championship final, the Wembley crowd jubilantly singing Sweet Caroline (“It was amazing! So good! So good!”).
Is that 14 months ago? It feels so much longer. The last year of excitement has turned to a familiar state – apathy. As the goals are no longer achievable, there is a sense that an opportunity has been lost.
By the time Havertz extended Germany’s lead midway through the second half at Wembley, Euro 2020 felt like something from another lifetime. This was not only for Harry Maguire, who was severely at fault for Germany’s first goal and at least partly to blame for their second.
