DID that World Cup really happen?
Who would have thought that England would win a shoot-out and reach the semi-finals?
Argentina were humbled, Germany came a cropper and the Croatians surprised us all, including, sadly, in the semi-final. France picked their way through the field and then turned on the style when it mattered most.
Yet if the French won the day, then English football also received a shot in the arm.
There is renewed hope that the Three Lions can challenge on the world stage.
One of the keys now to building on that momentum is that young English players are given a chance ...