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Luzhniki stadium scenes at the end of our semifinal loss to Croatia summarize what has changed in England at this World Cup
Two years ago, at the Euro 2016, the team was booed and there was a horrible atmosphere after anger and disillusionment.
On Wednesday night, it was totally different. There was no animosity at the final whistle and instead, thousands of our fans wanted to thank the players for what they did for everyone in the last month .
I was sitting in the middle of our supporters. despite the disappointment of the result. This link between the team and the fans is back, which shows how far we have come
This was the first match from England, I have been to this World Cup, and also the biggest match in England that I have attended since the Euro 96 semi – finals.
It reminded me a lot what was this evening against Germany, and how sensational it was to go out on the pitch at Wembley. It is much easier to be a player in these games than to be a fan, though.
When you're a player, you can do something to influence what's going on and you do not feel that horrible tension. and those nerves that eat you when you sit in the stands.
As a fan, you go on a complete trip. Wednesday was a scary night and I hit every ball.
I had Gary Lineker on my left and Dan Walker on my right and I imagined that both had bruised legs on Thursday morning, because I kept grabbing emotional scenes like the players in the # 39, England react to defeat in semifinal
I have worked on all major tournaments as a BBC inventor since the 2006 World Cup and this one was my favorite of far. To be honest, it could have been the best of my life
I came in, I did not really know what to expect in Russia and like everyone else I was a not worried about what might happen.
Everything was perfect for this World Cup – the atmosphere, the games, the feeling around the tournament – everything was top notch.
What even more marked me, is the way the English fans behave this week, after arriving by the thousands before the semifinal.
It was amazing to be part of it, and seeing them all so happy was one of the highlights of my stay in Russia.
There was no crowd problem involving our supporters, and I did not see any idiots in Moscow
I walked two or three hours in the city with my son before the match against Croatia and all the fans from England we saw were having a good time, which should be the case
This has not changed after we were knocked out either. They said exactly the same thing – how great and great this World Cup has been for England.
As a team, England exceeded all expectations
The best team won Wednesday, I do not think that anyone can really argue with that. Croatia was better than us, and it deserved to go through.
England returns home, or at least after Saturday's third / fourth place against Belgium, which is a total loss of time. We were all excited and dreaming that we would face France in the final on Sunday – but why would not we dream?
England had a great opportunity and it hurts to get closer to our first World Cup final since 1966, but I think you need to focus on all the positives we can get from this campaign.
I come back to what I said at the beginning of this tournament, namely that if this team from England can go home with everyone saying that they could no longer give , so that would mean that they had a good World Cup.
That's exactly what happened.
In the end, we were not good enough to win it, but we can accept it – as a team, they far exceeded all our expectations, and I congratulate for that. (19659002) All players deserve praise, but the highlight for me was the performances of Harry Maguire, Jordan Pickford, John Stones, Kieran Trippier and Jordan Henderson
. all before they came to Russia, but not anymore.
Much of England's success goes to Southgate
There were also question marks about Gareth Southgate, when he was appointed manager in 2016.
But he did magnificent work. In addition to our first World Cup semifinal for 28 years, our first win in a playoff game since 2006 and our first victory in a World Cup shootout, he has given us the chance to win. hope and encouragement.
When I talk about what has changed for England, it is Gareth and his meticulous planning who are responsible for it. He built a team and found a system in which players believe.
There is also much to hope for. Sometimes, when England comes out of a tournament, it is necessary to press the reset button and start over, but that is far from the case this time. this.
We want to continue what we do and maintain the positive feeling around the team and fans.
It is too soon for Gareth to think about all of this now because he will always be believed of the defeat of England, but over the next two or three weeks he will think about what he's going to do. has accomplished. and he should be very proud of himself.
Then he will begin to think about how he will advance this team, in the 2020 European Championship, and how he can continue his improvement. This will be his next target.
Alan Shearer addressed Chris Bevan of the BBC Sport in Moscow.
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