Those doubting England's Euro 2024 chances after a very modest group stage may take a look back at the 1990 World Cup to potentially brighten their mood due to extraordinary similarities.
England went all the way into the semi-finals where they lost on penalties against eventual champions Germany 34 years ago in Italy.
That after their group stage ended with exactly the same results in all six matches played than it did now, only in a different order.
In 1990, England started with a 1-1 against Ireland, then drew 0-0 with the Netherlands before beating Egypt 1-0 in their final match.
Gareth Southgate's team now beat Serbia 1-0, drew 1-1 with Denmark and 0-0 with Slovenia.
All other group results were also the same in 1990 and 2024 for identical points (under the three-point rule) and goal difference of all four teams.
England advanced in 1990 ahead of Ireland and the Dutch, with Egypt eliminated.
Bobby Robson's team managed to raise their game as they beat Belgium 1-0 in the last 16, edged Cameroon 3-2 in extra time before running out of luck against the Germans, and losing the match for third place against Italy as well.
This time around they topped the group ahead of Denmark, Slovenia and ousted Serbia. Belgium could be their next opponent again in the last 16 while Italy or Switzerland would await in the quarter-finals.
Denmark and Slovenia may not want to look back because Ireland and the Dutch went out in their next match, with Ireland losing 1-0 to hosts Italy and the Dutch 2-1 against Germany.
Denmark are up against Germany this time while Slovenia's opponent is not yet known.
