England fans are once again riding the emotional rollercoaster of a World Cup campaign, swinging between national despair and the hopeful refrain of 'it's coming home' ahead of Monday's clash with Mexico. Love Island star Helena Ford, writing for Brit Brief, shares her experience of watching England's recent match against DR Congo and her anticipation for the upcoming game.
Seven Minutes of Despair
According to Ford, there are two types of women during an England match: those who know the offside rule, and those who know exactly which player they'd happily let ruin their lives. Both, she says, suffered equally watching England vs DR Congo. Seven minutes was all it took for Congo to remind England fans that optimism can sometimes be a dangerous hobby.
Ford recounts barely settling into her bottle of rosé before Congo dashed the ball into the goal, leaving herself and the nation with emotional whiplash. As England searched for an equaliser, every misplaced pass was greeted with a throw of hands from the nation—or a glass of rosé.
The Comeback
Then came the comeback. Ford notes that Harry Kane proved again that he was just teasing fans with his capabilities. If one goal wasn't enough, the captain can almost promise he's always got another in the locker. Within 11 minutes of each goal, England went from national despair to thinking it might just be coming home.
Ford wonders what the nation celebrated more: the win or the fact that pubs are open till 5am for Monday's game against Mexico. The match, which kicks off at a favourable time for British viewers, has fans eagerly anticipating another strong performance.
Looking Ahead to Mexico
England's victory over DR Congo secured their place in the knockout stages, but the team faces a tough test against Mexico. Ford, who has been sharing her World Cup predictions, previously stated that England will score twice and that she'll be staring at Jude Bellingham. The nation will be hoping for a repeat of the comeback spirit shown against Congo.
As the team prepares, fans are once again caught between cautious optimism and the fear of disappointment. But for now, the dream of bringing football home remains alive.
