World Cup 2022: reaction to England’s exit and Morocco making last four – live

“England are like Man City in the Champions League,” says Ian Macpherson. “They have the players, the manager, the resources, can put breathtaking moves together and score great goals … but when the chips are down are outwitted by more savvy teams. They gave it a great shot, but came short at crucial moments, no disgrace in that, especially as the young stars need to learn a bit more cunning I feel. Something France had in their greater experience and nous. They will come good.

On the subject of Southgate, it is crazy to knee-jerk call for his dismissal. There is nobody who could take over and do better, and starting all over with a new man will just disrupt everything he has patiently built around the squad. Let us remember he has detoxified the atmosphere around playing for England, and has created a positive team culture with a raft of young talent. He has addressed the nasty undercurrent of nationalism which has bedevilled the England support for decades, and for that alone should be honoured. To throw that away in the pursuit of a quick fix which will probably set them back is short sighted in the extreme. There is no saviour waiting in the wings. People will remember this match as a classic of its kind, so close it could have gone either way, full of incident and drama. For that alone let us be thankful and enjoy it.”

I agree that it was the best last-eight tie by far, but disagree a little on City. They keep getting caught, as Munich under Guardiola did, because they don’t have the back five to handle it when, as is almost inevitable at that level, a side with serious attackers gets it together. When he had Messi and the greatest midfield ever, he could get away with it, but not otherwise.