There are defeats that you can accept because the better team won and then there are defeats like this.
For long periods of England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina, it looked as though Thomas Tuchel's side were finally going to take that last step and book a place in a World Cup Final. They defended well, created chances when they needed to and, perhaps most importantly, looked capable of frustrating one of the tournament favourites then, just when supporters were beginning to dream, it all unravelled.
Another World Cup campaign. Another heartbreaking exit. Another reminder that, somehow, England always seem to find the most painful way possible to leave a major tournament.
So Close... Until They Weren't
England had already shown throughout this tournament that they knew how to win difficult matches.
They had battled past DR Congo, survived a thrilling encounter with Mexico and then produced one of their best performances of the competition to eliminate Norway in the quarter-finals. Confidence was growing, belief was returning and, for the first time in a long while, it genuinely felt as though this might be England's year.
Against Argentina, that belief only grew stronger as England worked tirelessly without the ball, defended with discipline and gradually began to impose themselves on the game. Harry Kane led the line superbly, Jude Bellingham covered every blade of grass and the defence looked increasingly comfortable against an Argentina side packed with attacking quality.
When England took the lead, it suddenly felt real, we were thirty five minutes from a World Cup Final and supporters everywhere started doing what England fans always promise themselves they won't do, they started believing.
Football Can Be Cruel
Unfortunately, football has a habit of punishing optimism and rather than seeing the game out, England brought on defensive substitures and retreated deeper and deeper, inviting Argentina forward instead of continuing to play the positive football that had brought them success throughout the tournament. As the pressure increased, the equaliser began to feel inevitable, even if nobody wanted to admit it.
When it finally arrived, it was a huge blow and instead of responding, England seemed to lose the composure that had carried them through the previous rounds. Argentina sensed the momentum had shifted and suddenly looked the far more likely winners, eventually completing the turnaround to end England's hopes of reaching the final.
For England supporters, it was an all-too-familiar feeling, not a heavy defeat, not being outplayed, just watching another major tournament disappear after being within touching distance.
Another "What If?"
Every generation of England fans seems to collect its own catalogue of "what if?" moments.
What if that chance had gone in? What if the defence had held together for another ten minutes? What if England had kept attacking instead of trying to protect a narrow advantage?
Those conversations will continue long after this World Cup has finished because this was a match England genuinely looked capable of winning.
Harry Kane admitted afterwards that simply trying to hold onto the lead wasn't enough, a brutally honest assessment that will probably resonate with supporters who watched the game unfold. England had one foot in the final, but against a side as experienced as Argentina, taking a step backwards proved incredibly costly.
It's difficult not to feel disappointed because the opportunity was there, but England just couldn't quite take it.
One More Match Remains
The World Cup dream may be over, but there is still one final fixture for England before the tournament comes to an end.
The Three Lions now face France in the Third Place Play-Off, a match that will determine who finishes the competition on a high after the disappointment of the semi-finals.
Neither nation will have wanted to be playing this game. Both arrived at the World Cup believing they could reach the final, yet both now have one last opportunity to leave with a medal and something positive to take home.
France remain one of the strongest squads in world football and, despite their own semi-final disappointment, will be determined to finish third. England, meanwhile, will need to recover quickly, both physically and mentally, after such a painful evening against Argentina.
The Next Guess the Results Fixture
That means the Snus Vikings World Cup Guess the Results competition has one more England fixture for you to predict.
Can England lift themselves after the heartbreak of the semi-final and finish the tournament with a victory over France?
Will Didier Deschamps' side respond to their own disappointment by claiming third place?
Or could one final World Cup match require extra time before the bronze medals are decided?
Whatever you think will happen, make sure you submit your prediction before kick-off.
As always, everyone who correctly predicts the result will receive another reward code by email, adding to the collection they've built throughout the tournament.
The World Cup may not have ended the way England fans dreamed it would, but there is still one final opportunity to finish on a positive note.
Here's hoping the last chapter of England's tournament brings a happier ending than the one we all endured in the semi-final.
