When England played like World Cup winners, it was after the World Cup had already been lost. In a confusing, chaotic game, instead of going for gold, they brought home bronze. For 45 minutes, England played like worldbeaters; for 45, like a team who could be beaten from 4-0 up. By the end, Bukayo Saka had become just the fourth Englishman to score a World Cup hat-trick, joining Geoff Hurst, Gary Lineker and Harry Kane, and Jude Bellingham had made them the first team ever to score six goals against France in this competition. But a result that would have been celebrated euphorically in another context should come with a sense of regret: given that they have only performed fitfully, where was this England against Argentina? Or even against Norway, DR Congo, Panama and Ghana?
A vibrant, dynamic display suggested that actually this could be part of their DNA, whatever Thomas Tuchel has said to the contrary. Tuchel was unable to shrug off the semi-final surrender; not when he was booed by England supporters. But his side, desperately defensive in a dreadful 36 minutes against Argentina, were four up after 45 in an attacking antidote against France, even if they were weakened, shambolic and seemingly demob-happy. Then a manager whose team could not hold on to a 1-0 lead against Argentina threatened to lose a four-goal advantage; Tuchel was diplomatic enough not to switch to a back five this time.
