England raised expectations by reaching the World Cup semi-finals and their subsequent performances raise the prospect of greater glories, says Phil McNulty.
England's years of living down to expectations are over - now the difficult part will be keeping a lid on the rising hopes and anticipation surrounding Gareth Southgate's exciting young side.
And after their advance to the final stages of the inaugural Nations League in Portugal in June, secured by their first win in Spain in 31 years and a superb comeback to exact revenge over Croatia at Wembley, there is every reason to believe this England team is not just here to stay, it is going to get better.
Southgate never wavered. He insisted he could not understand questions about Sterling's place in England's side. They were not words to bolster fragile confidence. They were delivered with conviction and belief.
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