To ask why the England team (the men) keep falling at the final hurdle, (well virtually at the final hurdle,) at the football World Cup ... and The Euros too?

[GorgeousSpringtime]

Not an England-team bashing thread, but why, oh WHY do they - the men - keep falling at the final hurdle (well, virtually the final hurdle,) every time at the football (soccer) World Cup - and the Euro Cup too...?

They do so well, and get so far, and then BANG they're out. Nearly always in the top 8, or top 4, (and the top 2, in the World Cup once, and a couple of times in the Euros I think,) but never the winner. (Not since 1966 anyway!)

Is it nerves? Is it that they're so anxious to win that they keep making silly mistakes? Are they just not quite good enough? WHAT IS IT? Why do they keep getting so close, but just never manage to get the win?!

As I said, I am not bashing them, and they did well, and I am proud of them, but I just get so frustrated that they can't quite ever get the win!

!

With this occasion, the problem was their strategy was to lead with defence after halftime, which meant they were on the back foot and Argentina just had to persist. Similar issues with the last manager tbf so I’d say we’re not aggressive enough.

I liked Ian Wright’s thoughts on the Bellingham bashing, it’s out and out racism.

You enjoy baiting don’t you. You know him do you? Seems like a bloody lovely guy to me. You on the other hand, not giving the nicest impression to us all. Spread a bit of positivity! He’s also a sensational footballer, well done him.

Absolute credit to these amazing players who showed so much grit and fight at this tournament. You can't fault them.

Yesterday it was a tactical error, but also Argentina were just the better team. They will likely retain the World Cup. They have no weaknesses plus Messi, but Spain is also a team with no weaknesses. The final will be a tactical masterclass.

Then so should every serious football fan in the world. You should have heard my late husband when he watched England play. It's par for the course. It's what fans do. You know...have an opinion.

Yes that’s my view too after the disappointment.

This is very depressing, but sadly I think he may have a point.

Agreed. Rogers made an excellent on-target cross and Gordon made the most of it with a goal. Those two did well.

Argentina was the only top 10 ranked side that England played this whole tournament and they lost. Says it all really.

This.

DH said as much when he came home (he'd watched the game up the pub with his mates). He did say they got further than he'd expected but that ultimately it was the same old story.

England have won the World Cup once. It was held in their home country, and they had the advantage of playing every game at Wembley.

Scotland only qualified because they increased the number of teams.

16 more teams than normal.

How is it the "same old story" when England played in 4 semi-finals and 2 finals in the last 5 tournaments?!?

England could only have dreamt of such consistency at tournaments during the time of the so called "golden generation". I think people forget how bad England was and how amazing this team has done. They were not even in the same stratosphere as this team.

I don't really think what happened 60 years ago has got much relevance to the state of English and world football today.

Yes, quite. I’ve had to say this to several people (men). Be fucking PROUD! Other countries would be so overjoyed to get this far, look at the reception the Norwegian team received, their PM was fucking leading the rowing! Scotland don’t become so miserable, they have a great time. Hell, Wales and Ireland don’t even qualify!!! They wouldn’t behave this way if they had gotten this far. We’re so bloody miserable sometimes and people are already calling for Tuchel’s head. Our team have done brilliantly, fantastic players. Euro’s are here in two years and we will do great then too.

We aren’t the best in the world and that’s okay, they did a great job. Be grateful.

And this is the message BBC is given and the Message children are hearing in schools when they talk about it doesn’t anyone else think it’s absolute crap? No wonder there’s a bloody epidemic of anxiety.

Not to diminish this but this win was back in 1966 when there were only 12 teams playing. there are now 48.

Because they're not as good as they think they are.

Sadly, the English media hypes everyone into believing that not only are they the greatest team in the world, but that it's their right to win the World Cup, or any similar tournament. And if they fail to do so, it is the other countries' fault; they play dirty, they cheat, everyone's hates them, etc, etc.

Perhaps approaching these events with hope rather than expectation, with humility rather than arrogance, and being realistic rather than deluded about their chances, would make the moment of exit a time to appreciate how far they got, not sing about "60 years of hurt", when it's a self-inflicted wound.

Sometimes they play well until the semi final or final but then it all goes to pot. It’s just the better played team won. But they did well to get as far as they did.

I think people need to go back and watch a few of the England World and Euro Cup games during Rooney & Co's time. 😂 Capello's time as manager was one of the highlights. You will then want to kiss the feet of the current team!!

If you follow the media of other top football teams they do the same with their teams. That's not unique to the English media.

It's very, very difficult to be the best team in the world.

England are good.
Some teams are better.
Plenty more are worse and went out before them.

It's the whole point of a tournament.

God I agree with PPs - the second it was over Wayne Rooney was laying into everyone. The team gets built up and it's coming home and then torn apart - every single time. Some of the unhinged spittingly angry clips from TalkSport commentators were awful too.

I am very much not an England supporter, so I can say that I can never understand this mentality. The team is good, not great and not legendary. Good enough for the last 8, and the last 4 is an achievement.

There was a commentator beside Rooney (can't remember his name) and he was desperately trying to say well done for hard work but the presenter and Rooney steered away from that to how shite they were. Incredible!

Sixteen I think ?