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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Max Rushden

Knowing England’s luck we’ll win this depressing incarnation of the World Cup

World Cup England Gareth Southgate Football Greg Dyke Kieran Trippier Thomas Tuchel Tom Jenkins Qatar EPL
Mason Mount celebrates scoring the second England goal against Germany
‘Even those thrilling 15 minutes against Germany are more of a passing bit of fun than something to remember.’ Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Nine years ago the then new chairman of the Football Association, Greg Dyke, spoke of his aims for England’s men’s football team. “I want to set the whole of English football two targets,” he said. “The first is for the England team to at least reach the semi-finals of the Euro Championship in 2020 and the second is for us to win the World Cup in 2022.”

So far better than expected, then – but one big step to come: win the blood-soaked, tainted World Cup in Qatar. It always seemed a ridiculous target on which to base any long-term success of the FA – get a dodgy decision in the semi-final and decades-old plans turn to dust.

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