WORLD CUP USA ‘94: SEMIFINALS : Spotlight : NOW ENGLISH REALLY WISH THEY WERE HERE

The more chauvinistic portions of the British press reacted to Germany’s loss in the World Cup with glee. Other writers sounded the what-might-have-been theme if England had qualified for the Cup finals.

In the Sun, Brian Woolnough commented: “There is romance and justice left in the World Cup after all.

“The Germans are out. Good riddance!

“There were no handkerchiefs needed by neutrals in New York’s Giants Stadium. No, we were delighted to say goodby to the world champions.

“We have had enough of their diving, play-acting, cheating and arrogance over the years. Yes, of course, they can play and their record is incredible. But if ever a bully needed a kick in the Bulgars, it was Lothar Matthaeus and his men.”

And from his colleague at the Sun, John Sadler: “These finals, dramatic and exciting as they have been, have not yet produced a side that would unduly trouble a well prepared, well managed England. . . .

“I am not claiming England would have beaten (Brazil), but England are better than many of the teams that qualified for these final stages.”

And the Independent answered its question: How might England have fared? “The presence of seven European nations in the quarterfinals suggests at least participation in the second round.”