Come on, England!

You have to love a big England game, like (as I write) last night’s match against Ukraine.

There is an extra intensity and busyness to the hours before the match, with people dashing all over the place to complete their errands before kick-off. And then suddenly you notice it: the hush descending over the country, the silence building, until two minutes to 8pm, when everyone is sitting glued to their televisions, waiting, anticipating…

The moment has arrived. Quick glance out the window: yes, a beautiful, dry summer’s evening. Grab the keys to the GT3, enjoy the fact that for once everyone’s far too busy to be disturbed by the noisy cold start, and head out onto the roads.

Immediately you’re transported back from the standstill congestion of 2021 to the lightly trafficked roads of 1966. (OK, I know that’s World Cup not