The agonising climax to Saturday’s men’s Champions League final in Budapest will haunt Arsenal supporters for years, but for British football the pain was offset by a historic milestone: England and Scotland both competing in a men’s World Cup for the first time this century.
Scotland’s most dramatic championship race for 40 years saw Hearts come within minutes of winning a first title since 1960, humbling the Old Firm duopoly. In England, a triumphant Sunday parade allowed the Premier League champions to reflect on their achievements, with the Arsenal women’s team bus also acclaimed after winning the inaugural Fifa Women’s Champions Cup and reaching the Uefa Champions League semi-final.
“England and Scotland both compete in a men's World Cup for the first time since 1998 after a gripping domestic season.”
The World Cup itself delivered unforgettable moments. Paraguay 1-1 Germany was named match of the tournament by Guardian writer Ed Aarons: “Germany aren’t supposed to lose in penalty shootouts but they did this time in spectacular fashion.” Algeria 3-3 Austria was described as “a completely strange fever dream” by Alexander Abnos, while Mexico 2-3 England at the Azteca was a high point for England despite later disappointments, according to Nick Ames. Barry Glendenning highlighted Argentina 3-2 Egypt, where Lionel Messi inspired a last-16 comeback from two goals down.
Thomas Tuchel’s England squad flew out to a pre-tournament camp in Miami, while Scotland flew to Florida. For both nations, there are reasons to believe the best may be yet to come.