Diverse Wembley crowd’s optimism gives way to boos as

Gareth Southgate has changed English football culture but there were familiar groans after defeat to Iceland

The connection between Gareth Southgate’s England team and the country it represents is rich but not without its complexities. That is to say that it can often feel like people both adore them and are frustrated by them in equal measure (and sometimes at the same time). Friday night’s match at Wembley provided a good opportunity to observe this dynamic in action as England lost their final fixture before travelling to Germany as one of the favourites for Euro 2024.

The first thing to be noted was the atmosphere as you stepped out of Wembley Park station and onto Olympic Way. At the top of the long bank of stairs and along the packed thoroughfare there were families everywhere pausing to capture the moment. Posing for photographs in stetsons with the George’s cross on them, Jack Grealish scarves around their shoulders and any number of vintage England shirts, this was a joyous, friendly atmosphere. It was something not so long ago you would have associated more with a concert than a football match.