Where do England go from here?

You are granted a certain amount of respect after your side has been knocked out of a major tournament. Other journalists nod awkwardly at you in the mixed zone, almost as if there has been a bereavement.

Eventually one came over to the English press pack in the bowels of the stadium in Sao Paulo and said: “Well, at least you’re used to this.”

Indeed so. All too used to it, in fact. All the optimism and expectation generated by a fine performance against Italy had been replaced by a familiar sinking feeling and a quick internet search for the earliest flight home.