Football loves its omens and portents. As Gareth Southgate prepares to send his limb-weary players out into the giant illuminated armadillo shell that is the Allianz Arena in Munich on Tuesday night there is perhaps some solace to be taken in the past.
The last time England lost in Hungary in a World Cup year, defeat in Budapest was followed by a joyful, unifying, era-forging World Cup final triumph under a dapper and mild-mannered head coach.
