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Euro 2020

29th Jun 2021

Thomas Muller miss as sure a sign as any that football *might* be coming home

Simon Lloyd

Breath back yet? Nah. Us Neither…

Okay, okay. Granted, those reading that headline who don’t support the English football team are probably sick to the back teeth of hearing this “it’s coming home” shit again.

For this, though, we make absolutely zero apologies.

A 2-0 win in the knockout stages of a major competition against Germany – Germany. This, make no mistake about it, is time to get carried away, to dance in your nearest fountain, to dream that football really is – after all the many, many disappointments – coming the fuck home.

No moment best summed up the sense that this year might actually be different more than what happened shortly after Raheem Sterling had given England the lead.

A stray backwards pass from England’s goalscorer found its way to Kai Havertz, who seizing on a slight moment of hesitation from Harry Maguire, slipped the ball into the path of Thomas Muller, to run through on goal.

This, surely would only end one way. Thomas Muller doesn’t miss these chances. Thomas Muller definitely doesn’t miss these chances against England.

1-1. Extra time. Lose on penalties. It was all so painfully inevitable for a couple of seconds.

But no. Muller’s shot was screwed wide of the post.

After Kane added the second late on, England fans were finally comfortable enough to start mocking it a little bit.

England will now face a quarter-final against either Sweden or Ukraine in Rome.