It was all going so well.
The Three Lions were 2-0 up against former European and World champions Spain with just minutes to go.
But that’s the thing with England, they lull you into hoping and believing again and then balls everything up.
Maybe we’re being overly dramatic, as it was only friendly, but it was another textbook England performance.
That classic England trait of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory (well, a draw in this case) was alive and well under interim boss Gareth Southgate.
An early penalty, won by Jamie Vardy and converted by Adam Lallana, set the pace just nine minutes into the friendly fixture at Wembley.
Then Vardy turned goalscorer with a well-taken header on the 48th minute and England were well and truly in the driving seat.
What a celebration this is 😂#ENGESP pic.twitter.com/4qsI589v1n
— Matt 🤾 (@mrperson77) November 15, 2016
They were cruising to a comfortable win over Spain right up until the 89th minute when former Liverpool man Iago Aspas popped up and banged in a cracker – only his second ever goal on English soil (his first came against Oldham in the FA Cup in January 2014).
For anyone who missed Iago Aspas Goal vs England #ENGESP #EnglandvSpain pic.twitter.com/9WaRzKPVsQ
— MANvsCHAT (@MANvsCHAT) November 15, 2016
England then did what England do best – crumbled under the pressure as the referee signalled five minutes of added time.
The goal that drew Spain level didn’t come until right at the death just to stick the knife in on England fans who turned up.
Substitute Isco poked home through England debutant Tom Heaton’s legs with pretty much the last kick of the game. Although we imagine Southgate and his team were still kicking themselves long after the final whistle on what could have been an impressive victory.
The reaction on Twitter was unsurprising. England expects. Expects disaster, that is.
People could see it coming a mile off…
England playing well tho given how things are going, the FBI will now send a letter about their emails and they’ll end up losing 4-2#ENGESP
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) November 15, 2016
And when it came nobody was the least bit surprised…
https://twitter.com/willsward/status/798651637950599168
#ENGESP Normal service has resumed. 2.2 @England @EnglandFansTwi
— Peter Beetlestone (@PVBeetlestone) November 15, 2016
England defenders doing the mannequin challenge to gift Spain a draw. Dedication is what that's called #ENGESP
— Brian Clarke (@BClarke88) November 15, 2016
Same old England. 😝#ENGESP
— Luci Minarčíková (@CzechOutLuci) November 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/bensmith265/status/798652315184103424
A lot has changed in 2016…the England team however, hasn't. #ENGESP
— Mike Green (@MrDrMikey) November 15, 2016
The doom-mongers were out in force…
Be under no illusion, that was a crushing defeat not a 2 all draw! #ENGESP
— Dan Taylor (@danthomastaylor) November 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/fenglishby/status/798652599247380480
https://twitter.com/willsward/status/798651878573797376
https://twitter.com/MagichaeI/status/798651854972325888
https://twitter.com/pnefinney/status/798651684092346368
Obviously people looked for something or someone to blame
That feeling when you wish you'd practiced playing to the final whistle in training rather than practicing the #mannequinchallange #ENGESP
— Barry Smith (@MelwoodBaz) November 15, 2016
When I left Wembley we were winning 2-0. What kind of disaster happened within 6 minutes for us to concede 2 goals? #ENGESP
— ☁️ abbie ☁️ (@n1ghtlock) November 15, 2016
Less time practising being a mannequin. How's about defending? #ENGESP pic.twitter.com/NjYxp4vX0f
— David Carey (@DavidCa63850116) November 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/BrandonFilby/status/798652017669537794
People tried to remain positive though
Despite the ending there were plenty of positives tonight for @England #ENGESP
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) November 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/MrSamLowe/status/798653341492506628
#ENGESP 'Eng were impressive today'. YES BUT we need to learn how to see the game out. pic.twitter.com/lKbQcGfdk3
— Harls20 (@HKundhi) November 15, 2016
I suppose I got to witness the team do the mannequin challenge a few feet in front of me 😂😂 #ENGESP
— ☁️ abbie ☁️ (@n1ghtlock) November 15, 2016
Conceding two goals in ten minutes could prove to be a vital learning experience re: tournament football. But so far so good for GS #ENGESP
— Paul Lake (@Paul_Lake) November 15, 2016
Effort, pressing together, clear gameplan, playing out = many positives tonight! Manage games better & who knows… #england #ENGESP #hisjob
— JPato (@joshpato06) November 15, 2016
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