England broke our hearts but it was always about more than football

A personal reflection on the emotional impact of England's World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina, highlighting the communal nature of sports fandom. The author discusses how the tournament connects fans globally despite frustrations over ticket pricing and match outcomes.
Why it matters
It captures the cultural significance of major sporting events in fostering social cohesion and shared identity.
Image source, George Wright Image caption, With my brother Laurie after the semi-final loss to Argentina
The piece is a personal essay/feature that acknowledges subjective fan experience while remaining grounded in the event's context.
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