By recording a 0-0 tie against Mexico last Friday, their lucky 13th game without a win, England have equalled Mexico for the dubious title of “team-playing-most-games-without-a-win-in-the-U-20-tournament- finals”!
Moreover, England’s progression into the final 16 knock-out stage despite the complete absence of anything so unsightly as a goal, for or against, in any of their three games so far this tournament(thanks in no small part to a fantastic penalty save by keeper, Butland against Mexico), brings England’s hitherto secret aim, of becoming the first side ever to win any football tournament not only without winning a game but without scoring or conceding a goal, amazingly, that much closer.
England’s steely resolve to win the tournament with a blemish free goal stats sheet will be severely tested when they face high-scoring, maximum-point Nigeria in the first knock-out round this Wednesday.
However, as a loss, or even a win on penalties, would see England claim the “Most Unwinnerish” team title all for themselves, Wednesday’s game is a win-win for England, providing, of course, the unthinkable doesn’t happen and they actually win against Nigeria*!
So let’s raise an Aguadiente toast (Colombia’s national liquor) to England’s perfect 10-0-0 winning formation!
Altogether now, “Nil-nil to the England! Nil-nil to the England! Nil-nil to the England! Nil-nil to the England!”.
* A win on penalties isn’t really a win, just as losing on penalties is never actually a loss, especially against Germany.
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