IT HAPPENED in an instant. White shirts huddled, some transfixed on the screen of a singular phone, others trying their best to avert their gaze and shut out the worry. England had done what they needed, in truth they’d done all they could. Fate was now out of their hands.

Fate can deal the cruellest of blows. It toyed with their emotions all night long, allowing Sarina Wiegman to filter messages of hope through the sidelines before waiting to seize its moment to release the crushing reality.

Lucy Bronze had scored in the final minute and nullified the Netherlands’ advantage, England were to remain on the road to qualify Team GB for the Olympics. Then a message came through from Tilburg.