The 2022 FIFA World Cup has brought with it a sense of nostalgia, as fans of England are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to relive the glory days of 1966. However, the concept of "1966" is purely theoretical for most people, as 60 years have passed since that singular point in time. But, for fans of England, the wait may soon be over. The Three Lions have been building towards this moment, and their recent performance against Croatia has been nothing short of impressive. With a 4-2 victory, England has made a remarkable first impression, and it's time to consider them amongst the real contenders for the trophy. The statistics back up this notion, as England out-possessed Croatia and outshot them 22 to 10, with 12 of those shots on target. The second half was particularly impressive, as England forced Croatia's goalie to make seven saves in just 10 minutes. But, let's take a step back and consider the bigger picture. The goals didn't start with Harry Kane, but he definitely opened the floodgates. In the ninth minute, Luka Modric mistimed a clearance attempt, gifting England an early penalty. Kane stepped up and scored, but the real story is the performance of the team as a whole. England has been playing to its immense talent, something that has been rare since the World Cup triumph of 1966. One player who best represents this gap between talent and fulfillment is Jude Bellingham. The Real Madrid midfielder is one of the most gifted players in the world, and his performance against Croatia was a testament to his skill. But, it's not just about the individual performances. England's manager, Thomas Tuchel, made some strategic changes that paid off. He removed Anthony Gordon and replaced him with Marcus Rashford, who scored the winning goal. Tuchel also swapped out Noni Madueke for Bukayo Saka, and Rice for Morgan Rogers, all of which contributed to the team's success. In my opinion, England has what it takes to win the World Cup. They have the talent, the strategy, and the determination to succeed. If they can shed the weight of 60 years from their shoulders, they just might be able to party like it's 1966. But, let's not get ahead of ourselves. The tournament is far from over, and there are still many challenges ahead. However, I feel confident in saying that England is legit, and if they continue to perform at this level, they just might be able to bring home the trophy. So, let's enjoy the ride and see where this journey takes us. In my opinion, the future looks bright for England, and the nation that brought soccer to the world just might be able to celebrate like it's 1966.
