England did the nation proud in 2021.In what was undoubtedly a tough year for everyone in the country, the men’s senior team provided millions of people with the most thrilling of distractions as they went all the way to the Euro 2020 final.The Three Lions didn’t concede a single goal en route to topping their group with Croatia, Scotland and the Czech Republic, before racing all the way to the final at Wembley Stadium.

An unforgettable Euro 2020

Germany, Ukraine and Denmark were all dispatched as England came within 90 minutes of lifting a first major title since the 1996 World Cup final more than half a century beforehand.

Sadly, you know the rest of the story already with Luke Shaw’s early goal proving to be a false dawn as Leonardo Bonucci eventually equalised to take Italy to a penalty shootout that they won.

Misses from 12 yards by Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka ensured that England fans would have to wait even longer for football to come home.

England did the nation proud

However, everyone was in complete agreement that England had done the nation proud and that could also be said of their convincing performances in World Cup qualifiers to boot.

Marry that to powerful stances against racism and discrimination from the entire squad to see that 2021, European Championship trophy or not, was an inspiring one from Gareth Southgate’s squad.

And it looks as though England fans will now be given an opportunity to get an even closer look at the national team’s brilliant work last year as part of a new documentary.

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 - Final - Italy v England - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - July 11, 2021 England's Luke Shaw celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates Pool via REUTERS/Andy Rain

'Inside The Pride' documentary

That’s because the Three Lions released a trailer for an England original called ‘Inside The Pride’ on Friday evening that looks to give a tantalising glimpse into the squad’s experience of 2021.

With the teaser video showing exclusive interviews with players and staff as well as footage from training and the dressing room, the production – slated for release next week – looks fascinating.

In fact, it feels like the perfect way to get yourself hyped for the 2022 World Cup, so be sure to check out the ‘Inside The Pride’ trailer down below:

It’s coming home, isn’t it?

Fan reaction

Bring on the 2022 World Cup

Ok, ok, ok, so we’d be silly to get too excited about the tournament in Qatar when you consider that the competition will be even stiffer in England’s quest to end all those years of hurt.

However, even if we’ve all got a one-way ticket to disappointment when the winter rolls around, you’d be cold-hearted to watch the trailer and not at least get excited to hop on the hype train again.

As the footage so brilliantly illustrates, there’s a fresh love for the national team that seemed to have been lost through the ‘Golden Generation’ with the current side feeling so much like a brotherhood.

Soccer Football - Euro 2020 - Semi Final - England v Denmark - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - July 7, 2021 England's Harry Kane celebrates scoring their second goal with Phil Foden Pool via REUTERS/Justin Tallis

Smiles, laughs and jokes don’t win you World Cups, that’s for sure, but last year just goes to show that England have never felt more like a pride both in their team spirit and what they inspired in us.

Here’s to 2022 being even better than 2021.