ENGLAND have qualified for the second round of the World Cup at the trivial cost of losing the support of every fan who watched the last two games.
A two-nil victory against Panama by what has become a two-man team means England play Congo on Wednesday, no matter how much everyone involved wishes they would not.
Fan Joanna Kramer said: “I have to watch it, because it means I get to leave work early. But I promise you this, England: I will be on my phone throughout.
“It’s clear the players wish they were. Every pass says ‘if we keep doing this, it’ll soon be over’. No-one much fancies trying to break up a defence, or scoring a goal, or playing football. The average American is more enthused about this game than them, and they couldn’t give a shit.
“It’s not the scoreline. You can have a thrilling 0-0, as Colombia-Portugal proved. It’s the sheer reluctance to engage in football that’s making me envy Scotland fans because at least it’s all over for them.”
Fan Steve Malley agreed: “You know when you see 40-year-olds playing in the park, red-faced and breathless, coming to blows about an offside call? England could use their passion and commitment.
“I see we’ve made it to the easy side of the draw. Oh good. Now we can joylessly limp all the way to the quarter-finals.”