Messi magic and tactical panic: How England engineered their semi-final downfall

The British are responsible for many terrible things. Eating something called beans on toast, reminiscent of utilitarian culinary behaviour whose peculiarity is acceptable only when one is being bombed from above by the Luftwaffe and there is no scope to make a more palatable dish. Forcing children around the world to read Shakespeare at an early age because the Higgins-Macaulay Complex became a global vibe.But perhaps the worst thing the British did was Partition in South Asia. And it is fitting that the misery English fans are feeling right now, after another World Cup semi-final loss, can be summed up by a line from Aadat by Pakistani rock band Jal: “Durr jitna bhi tum mujhse. Paas tere main. Ab toh aadat si hai mujhko aise jeene main.” No matter how far you are from me, I remain close to you.