In six hours time, England’s elder players will begin ninety minutes of career-defining football. Because for players like Steven Gerrard, John Terry, David James and Frank Lampard this World Cup is a last chance saloon for winning on a global stage. Nothing short of victory will do today – anything less, and England will be sent packing in the first round of a World Cup for the first time since 1958. Unlike then, however, the prospect of winning in eight years time is difficult to imagine – even if England’s bid to host the competition proves successful – as England’s Golden Generation ages.

For Gerrard et al, today is the crunch. England aren’t renowned for playing well under pressure but today they must – it’s inconceivable, no matter how overrated England’s team, and chances of winning, are a first round exit would be catastrophic.

It’s time to stand up and be counted.