So many players came from obscurity to make this World Cup 2018 squad, as did their manager, and did so well, inspiring a thousand memes, chants, cult heroes and even ill-advised chest tattoos.
Here’s how each player power ranked during the tournament…
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23: Nick Pope – N/A
The Burnley goalkeeper failed to make a single appearance in Russia and was third choice behind the impressive Pickford.
22: Jack Butland – N/A
Like Pope, failed to make a single appearance but is ranked slightly ahead of Pope because at least he was second choice.
21: Danny Welbeck – 5/10
Played the least number of minutes of any outfield player, only managing a cameo against Belgium but did not do too much wrong in it at all.
Welbeck was only used fleetingly (Getty Images)
20: Phil Jones – 5/10
Only appearance in the tournament was against Belgium when Southgate put out his B side and failed to shut out his former teammate Adnan Januzaj.
19: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6/10
Didn’t put a foot wrong when he played but also didn’t do enough to put a flicker of doubt in anyone’s mind outside of Liverpool that he should be starting at right wing-back.
18: Gary Cahill – 6/10
Like so many of the ‘reserves’ travelling to Russia, did what was needed when being called upon but ultimately did little to contribute to much on the pitch.
Cahill played against Belgium in the group stages (Getty Images)
17: Eric Dier – 6/10
If you look past the penalty shootout, Dier actually had a very poor World Cup. Struggled terribly against Colombia and Croatia, had his passing ability exposed and proven that England really don’t have a replacement for Henderson. But he did become the first Englishman to win a World Cup penalty shootout.
16: Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6/10
Promised so much early in the tournament but looked slightly out of his depth as it went on. He may be England’s answer to their midfield problem in a few years but this was too early to make the impact he would have wanted.
15: Danny Rose – 6/10
Was okay when coming off the bench for Young but not displacing a make-shift 33-year-old wing-back showed his was not up to his best.
Rose couldn't oust Young from the first team (REUTERS)
14: Jamie Vardy – 6/10
Had his best performance when he came off the bench against Colombia to give England the sort of footing in the game to take it to penalties when it looked like they might lose. Injury hampered his impact in the later stages.
13: Marcus Rashford – 6/10
Like Vardy, had glimpses of showing his talent when coming off the bench but was unable to sustain it or make a real impact. You felt he should have had a tiring Croatia on toast.
12: Fabian Delph – 6/10
Did well when he came off the bench and probably should have come on earlier to steady games in the knockout rounds.
Delph was impressive when called upon (AFP/Getty Images)
11: Dele Alli – 6.5/10
Yes he scored against Sweden and yes he was injured but really, really, was he actually any good? He rarely looked dangerous and probably shouldn’t have played as much as he did.
10: Ashley Young – 7/10
His right foot was one of England’s biggest weapons at every set-piece during the tournament and despite being 33, looked 10 years his junior throughout. A fitting end to a strong season.
9: Kyle Walker – 7/10
Playing in an unfamiliar central defensive role, Walker’s pace snuffed out so many attacks throughout the World Cup. It was a gamble playing him there but it is fair to say it payed off for Southgate.
Walker impressed in a new role (AFP/Getty Images)
8: Jesse Lingard – 7/10
Started the tournament as arguably England’s best player but whether it was tiredness that set in or that opponents worked him out, his impact faded. Still a brilliant tournament for a player who would not had dreamed of being in Russia two years ago.
7: Jordan Henderson – 7.5/10
Proved that he is England’s only capable central midfielder on a stage like this and as he faded the weakness in depth really showed. As the only holding midfielder in the team at any point, he played phenomenally well. Even with the penalty miss.
Henderson deserved his place over Dier (REUTERS)
6: Raheem Sterling – 8/10
No matter what you read on social media, Sterling had a fantastic tournament. His tireless runs off the ball stretched every defence and created space for everyone else to entertain. Did exactly what Southgate wanted from him and really did deserve that elusive goal.
5: Harry Kane – 8/10
Fifth may seem harsh for the Golden Boot winner in waiting but he faded awfully against Colombia and Croatia and was really carried by his teammates at both times. Was he actually fit? I’m sure we will find out in the next few days…
Brilliant early on but faded in the later stages (REUTERS)
4: John Stones – 8/10
A coming of age tournament for Stones after a poor second-half of the season with Manchester City. Two goals and one of the best defences in the competition with some of the best distribution and Stones is looking like the player everyone thought he would become all those years ago.
3: Harry Maguire – 8.5/10
Slabhead, cult hero, goalscorer. Maguire has earned a country full of new fans and memes but not without justifiable cause. Leicester City will do well to hold onto him this summer after such a marvellous World Cup. Would be England’s break-out star if not for the two ahead of him.
Maguire emerges a cult hero (AP)
2: Jordan Pickford – 9/10
Didn’t put a foot wrong all tournament. A penalty shootout hero who pulled off some colossal saves in the most dramatic of moments and will surely go down as England’s No 1 for the next 10 years.
Pickford will be cherished forever after his penalty heroics (AP)
1: Kieran Trippier – 9.5/10
It takes a lot to be compared to David Beckham’s right foot, but boy was it justified. Deserved his stunning free-kick goal in the semi-final more than anyone else with the only downside being that it wasn’t the winner. Trippier, more than most, deserved to be in the World Cup final.
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