England fans are daring to dream after their national team’s impressive start to this summer’s World Cup finals in Russia.
The Three Lions sealed a dramatic 2-1 victory over Tunisia in their opening group match last week and followed that up with a 6-1 demolition of Panama on Sunday afternoon.
Eight goals scored in two games, plus the all-important six points, is a very encouraging return and supporters are starting to believe that the World Cup trophy really could be ‘coming home’ next month.
Harry Kane leads the race for the Golden Boot award after scoring five goals in his opening two games; centre-back John Stones has two goals to his name - the same tally as the likes of Eden Hazard and Philippe Coutinho - while Jesse Lingard also has more goals so far this tournament than the great Lionel Messi.
In terms of entertainment, it’s fair to say that England have exceeded all expectations so far this tournament. Even fans of other national teams have been pleasantly surprised by the football Gareth Southgate’s side have produced.
But how long will it last? That’s the million dollar question. Thursday’s final group match against Belgium should tell us whether England are the real deal or mere flat-track bullies.
But if they can record another eye-catching victory over Roberto Martinez’s men then they will surely be the frontrunners to secure a special FIFA World Cup award that you might not have heard of before.
England could win special World Cup award this summer
At every World Cup since the 1994 finals in the United States, FIFA have handed out the ‘Most Entertaining Team Award’.
The team accolade, awarded to the nation that serves up the most thrilling football for fans across the world, is decided by FIFA’s Technical Committee.
We’re only two games into the tournament but if England can continue playing the same attractive football beyond the Round of 16 then they’ll surely stand a decent chance of winning it for the first time.
You could argue that they've been the most entertaining team in the competition so far.
Which teams have previously won the award?
But which teams have won it over the past six World Cups? Let’s take a closer look…
1994 United States | Brazil
Brazil won both the World Cup and the Most Entertaining Team award back in ’94 after defeating Italy in the final.
In one of their most thrilling matches that summer, the Seleção recorded a 3-2 win over the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
1998 France | France
The Most Entertaining Team award went to the eventual winners again in 1998 and deservedly so.
France were involved in several memorable games that summer - not least the final against Brazil, where they sealed the World Cup for the first time in their history thanks to a comprehensive 3-0 victory.
2002 Korea/Japan | South Korea
Joint-hosts South Korea defeated Italy and Spain en route to the semi-finals in 2002, where they were eventually stopped in their tracks by Germany.
They finished fourth that summer after losing the Third Place play-off against Turkey.
2006 Germany | Portugal
In what was Cristiano Ronaldo’s first World Cup, Portugal won the Most Entertaining Team award after defeating the Netherlands and England in the knockout stages.
But surely the award should have gone to France, who reached the final thanks largely to the magnificent Zinedine Zidane.
2010 South Africa | Germany
Germany won the Most Entertaining Team award after putting four goals past both England and Argentina in the Round of 16 and quarter-finals, respectively.
Their journey ended that summer in the semi-finals, where they were beaten 1-0 by Spain.
2014 Brazil | Colombia
Colombia only reached the quarter-finals in 2014 but they thrilled everyone that summer with their attack-minded football.
The South American nation had James Rodriguez to thank for their Most Entertaining Team award triumph. The left-footed playmaker won the Golden Boot, scoring six fabulous goals.
Have England been the most entertaining team so far in Russia? Have your say by leaving a comment below.