Being an England fan is no easy job, that’s for sure. There are definite highs, but also bitter disappointments along the road.
This was something that was felt all too keenly by England fans during Tuesday night’s friendly against Spain.
Throughout most of the match, England was comfortably ahead. The team was on good form, which was a surprise for most, considering how matches have been going recently.
GREAT RESULT SO FAR COME ON ENGLANDDDDD ❤️⚽️⚽️⚽️💯⚪️🔴 #ENGESP
— BCAFC⚽️❤️ (@BCAFC_ARW) November 15, 2016
O-M-G, England are actually playing really well! 😱 #ENGESP
— Nick Wood (@NickWood77) November 15, 2016
Most people were actually getting a bit vexed at England’s strong performance: where was it last summer, when it really mattered? It almost felt like a waste in a friendly.
Sort of enjoyed watching England tonight for a change #ENGESP
— Ben Stroud (@BenStroud8) November 15, 2016
Are we actually playing quite well? I feel a bit queasy #ENGESP
— Andrew Clarke (@BadgerClarke) November 15, 2016
Where was this performance during the summer? Typical England. #ENGESP
— Shahed Chowdhury (@schowdhury92) November 15, 2016
Many did acknowledge that Spain didn’t have its strongest team on the pitch, which is perhaps why England dominated throughout most of the game.
Spain without Ramos or Iniesta is like Weetabix without sugar, boring!!!!! #ENGESP
— Christopher Lee (@Chendley777) November 15, 2016
#Spain certainly missing the front three of: Neymar, Messi and Suarez. #ENGESP.
— Martin (@martyrichblowy) November 15, 2016
Then, came heartbreak. Within the last ten minutes of the match Spain managed to slip in two goals, relegating England from a comfortable win to a less than satisfactory draw. As you can imagine, after the highs of the match fans took the blow pretty hard.
#England tonight #ENGESP #EnglandvSpain pic.twitter.com/1gQwGoETs2
— Shaun Farrelly (@ShaunFarrelly) November 15, 2016
Embarrassing once more from England #bottlejobs #ENGESP
— James Murray (@James_Murray93) November 15, 2016
This is the final match of interim manager Gareth Southgate’s initial four game run, and throughout most of the match people were calling for him to be made Sam Allardyce’s permanent successor. But by the end of play, his future was unclear once more.
Still early days but Southgate coming across well as England manager. Has a set game plan/approach & players seem to be listening #ENGESP
— Glen Naylor (@Glen_Naylor) November 15, 2016
Give the job to Gareth Southgate!! #ENGESP
— Jack Hawkins (@JacktheHammock) November 15, 2016
Wow England are beating Spain. Suppose that's guaranteed Southgate the job #ENGESP
— Lewis (@LewisSpurs90) November 15, 2016
Wonder if Gareth Southgate gets the job now? That late equaliser could be the deciding factor #ENGESP #bbcfootball
— Harry Crowe (@harrycrowe98) November 15, 2016
Ten minutes ago I was thinking Southgate could be on to something... #EnglandvSpain #ENGESP
— A... (@anisha2910) November 15, 2016
Maybe the match wasn’t heralding the new England that we had hoped for, and by the end it was back to business as usual for the team.
How very England, very England indeed... #ENGESP
— Mark Tuxford (@marktuxford_) November 15, 2016
England doing what England do best, disappointment. #ENGESP
— Ell (@EllJo84) November 15, 2016
Football aside, man of the match Jamie Vardy’s mannequin challenge celebration divided opinion: some people thought it was cool, but others weren’t quite so sure.
Jamie Vardy doing the mannequin challenge is the grossest sight of a gross 2016
— James McIntosh (@thisisutrecht) November 15, 2016
Vardy mannequin of the match #ENGESP
— Roger Moore (@sheffman007) November 15, 2016
So all in all, a bitter disappointment for a team that seemed to be comfortably on top for most of the match. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster, which is what most England fans have come to expect from their team.
