England hopeful as Southgate’s men eye World Cup glory
Team begin campaign against Iran in Group B contest today
England kick off their World Cup campaign against Iran today desperate to take the final step after twice falling just short of winning the country’s first major trophy in more than half a century.
They start their three Group B fixtures established as one of the leading contenders.
That lofty status is a stark contrast to six years ago, when Southgate took charge with England at a low ebb after a series of humiliations on and off the pitch.
A woeful Euro 2016 exit against Iceland brought a suitably depressing end to Roy Hodgson’s England reign, while his successor, Sam Allardyce, lasted only 67 days and one match before being forced out after a newspaper sting. Southgate set about rebuilding the team.
Gaining credibility
A surprise run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals in Russia gave the manager credibility among previously sceptical players and fans.
And he followed that impressive achievement by leading England to their first major final for 55 years at last year’s European Championship.
But while Southgate has made England a team to be feared again, he has yet to deliver the silverware his football-obsessed country has craved since Bobby Moore lifted the World Cup in 1966.
The World Cup run four years ago ended in a 2-1 defeat to Croatia after England squandered the lead, while Italy recovered from Luke Shaw’s early goal to beat Southgate’s men on penalties in the Euro final at a shell-shocked Wembley.
Not only did England lose when the stakes were highest, but in both matches they retreated into their shell with a conservative game-plan.