FOOTBALL isn’t – despite frantic fervour, proud patriotism and packed-out pubs – coming home . . . as it turns out.

The years-of-hurt counter kicks on now to 54 (at least) – and Euro 2020. Jules Rimet still fuming.

Oh what might have been.

England teased and tantalised the nation into believing – actually believing the World Cup final in Moscow on Sunday would be adorned in the flag of St George.

That’s when it will really hurt – watching Luka Modric lead out Croatia as they prepare to lock horns with the French. Sacre bleu. Instead, we're left waiting in footballing limbo only to be fed the wooden spoon of a third-place play-off with fellow beaten semi-finalists Belgium tomorrow.

Cruel. Get them on a plane and come home – no-one wants to play in the so-called bronze-medal match – it’s dull. And it faded the minute Mario Mandukic slotted home the extra-time winner on Tuesday. We’re out.

Although far from fancied before the tournament, England defied expectations by reaching the last four – of that there is no doubt. It still doesn’t soften the pain.

Revitalised – tick; pride regained – tick . . . a chance missed – an enormous tick with a felt-tip pen.

Quite how England contrived to throw away such a dominant first-half performance endorsed with Kieran Tripper’s five-minute screamer is a massive and glorious, gargantuan mystery.

There for the taking, the Three Lions’ failed to finish them off in the first half.

Harry Kane – a leader so dominant in previous games, was anonymous for much of the match – and missed a sitter which would have made it 2-0.

The Croats grew. Ivan Perisic levelled – England faded like a fragile flame from a candle faced with the Beast from the East.

The Raheem Sterling switch for Marcus Rashford is a talking point – I know who I’d rather mark – and yet Russia 2018 will still go down in history as a triumph for an England team reinvented under the wily one with the waistcoat.

Gareth Southgate has been immense. Engaging, passionate and on the level. He’s connected with the players, fans and media alike.

His fledgling squad have shown maturity beyond their years. Pride, passion and belief.

Pickford, Trippier and Maguire might sound like a firm of solicitors but they laid down the law – along with many others who put their bodies on the line for the cause.

And yet we’re still left asking what if. What if a James Milner was there - a little smidgen of experience - someone to put a foot on the ball to show authority? Sadly, there was no-one of that ilk.

When they run out tomorrow it won’t matter. But there’s so much hope on the horizon.

This is a young squad which will only get better.

Spare a thought for the lads who weren’t involved this time round – Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain to name but two. James Tarkowski may yet get his chance. Danny Welbeck must have a bigger part to play for sure.

We shouldn’t dwell on disappointment. Thoughts will have already turned to Euro 2020 in Southgate’s mind.

England, hope and expectation . . . it never stops you dreaming.