So, in the event, itās not coming home after all.
Ushering in more years of hurt, England lost in the World Cup semi-final 2-1 to Croatia during a dramatic, gripping, hair-tearing-out 120 minutes of football.
Yet in contrast to the anger that typically greets the English national teamās departure from a major tournament, the country appears to have embraced the young side in unprecedented fashion.
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If you can bear it, hereās how the game played on social media.
Before the game, nerves in the tunnel and a nation united if a bit tense.
It didnāt take long for England to take the lead with a stunning Trippier free-kick.
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Oh man, Hyde Park.
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Time for some proper analysis.
Maybe the real World Cup was the friends we made along the way.
And over to the Bish.
Kane misses, proving heās human.
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And the Jordan Pickford love-in continues as he produces more wonder saves.
And more new heroes.
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A sweaty second half sees raid-after-raid on the England goal. Kyle Walker putting everything on the line.
And then - oh bollocks - Croatia equalise.
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That man Pickford again.
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Extra-time. Breathe.
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Pickford guarantees his knighthood with a vital save before the end of the first period.
Oh no ... Mario Mandzukic scores.
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And, in time, the dream was over.
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