We no doubt all feel a little bit like losers after England crashed out of the World Cup against Argentina, but it could certainly be worse than getting to a semi-final.
None are likely to go home completely happy, but there have been plenty of positive stories from Thomas Tuchel’s camp.
Here’s how we see the split…
Winners
Harry Kane
England’s captain showed exactly why he has the armband, proving himself (were any demonstration needed) that he’s one of the Three Lions’ only true world-class talents.
A demon from the spot, able to take the country on his back as against DR Congo and comfortable creating and finishing.
More could have been asked of him in that semi-final against Argentina, but he’s not alone there.
Jude Bellingham
Tuchel’s other world beater – if it wasn’t a clutch moment from Kane, then it was probably Jude Bellingham.
England’s top scorer at the tournament – albeit via a top-up in the third-place play-off – once again showed his big-game-player qualities.
Still just 23 years old (!), there are plenty more opportunities to come for the Real Madrid man.
Djed Spence
The jury’s out on whether a player turning 26 this summer can be labelled a breakout star, but if deemed possible, then Djed Spence is the blueprint.
Perhaps not able to show his full repertoire of skills in a stuttering Spurs outfit, they certainly all came to the fore in this tournament, almost single-handedly saving England on multiple occasions against Argentina, before they were ultimately undone.
Neil Warnock famously once said he’d end up in the Premier League or non-league – that debate may just now be ready for bed.
Elliot Anderson
A £116million move to Manchester City did nothing to take the eyeballs off Elliot Anderson, which could have even made an already heavy England shirt weigh even more.
Not that you’d have noticed from the former Forest man’s performances, consistently one of the best players on the pitch throughout.
It suggests he may have what it takes to take that next step at the Etihad, and he certainly has plenty of time on his hands to develop.
Dean Henderson
Perhaps a rogue inclusion in this list, especially given he let in four goals in 90 minutes of football, but his outing against France, a sixth career cap, was his first appearance at a major tournament.
And it may well be his last, now aged 29 with the younger James Trafford growing in stature.
It will be a big bucket list item ticked off for the Crystal Palace gloveman, after years of stoic deputisation.
Losers
Thomas Tuchel
The simple maths says Tuchel went into this tournament with more backers than he leaves it with.
Getting to a semi-final, and being half an hour away from a World Cup final, means he’s probably done enough for a second chance at Euro 2028, but his handling of that game against Argentina will mean proving himself all over again.
However, Gareth Southgate survived lower moods and kept improving, so don’t write off the old Schnauzer just yet.
Jordan Henderson
Played six minutes against Panama and flies home with a celebration-induced broken arm.
He might be great for the dressing room, but an explanation as to why he needed a squad number to fly over with the group has not yet been forthcoming.
Kobbie Mainoo
There are moments when England probably could have used Kobbie Mainoo’s calm composure to link defence with attack.
Having been called up, he certainly does not deserve to be heading back to England without a World Cup minute to his name.
That being said, there’s still plenty of time for the Manchester United man to make his mark on coming editions of the competition.
Anthony Gordon
Much like Cole Palmer at Euro 2024, Anthony Gordon was robbed of a history-defining moment.
His goal against Argentina would have been seared into the memory of Three Lions fans had it been the nation’s ticket to the showpiece in New Jersey, but it wasn’t to be.
Nevertheless, that goal and three assists may see some of the eyebrows raised at his Barcelona move begin to drop slightly.
Ivan Toney
A shootout specialist thwarted by the lack of shootouts.
At 30 years old, now in the Saudi Pro League, this was highly likely to be Ivan Toney’s last World Cup appearance, and he was unable to impact it.
Even as the starting striker in the 10-goal thriller with France to wrap up the tournament, he never really imposed himself on the game.
