England supporters of long standing – and long suffering – were transported into an unfamiliar world as they watched Gareth Southgate’s side cruise into the Euro 2020 semi-final in the most majestic style in Rome.
It was Southgate himself who applied cold water to the celebrations and excitement after the last-16 win against Germany at Wembley set up what turned out to be the glorious formality of a 4-0 quarter-final win over Ukraine.
Southgate warned that first knockout win against Germany in 55 years would count for nothing unless England built on it. And build on it they did with a spectacular dismissal of Ukraine to set up a meeting with dangerous Denmark at Wembley on Wednesday.
No nerves. No worries. No concerns over expensive yellow cards. Just the enjoyment of wondering whether England might add more while sitting back, revelling in a performance that simply could not have been more controlled or comprehensive.
