England youngsters continue to outshine Gareth Southgate's Three Lions

When it comes to the Boys from Brazil, the Three Lions have endured 59 years of hurt and counting – which puts the success of Steve Cooper’s kids in India into context.

There has been the odd friendly victory – just four in 25 meetings between the two countries – and highlights that include John Barnes’s stunning solo goal in a first ever victory at the Maracana in 1984. 

But when it matters most, England’s record has been one heroic defeat, a few memorable moments, the odd hard-luck story and even a hard-fought draw without ever managing to deliver a killer blow on the biggest stage of all. 

The meeting in Sweden in 1958 will not trigger too many memories these days but the scoreless stalemate is as good as it has got for England.

Typically though, Walter Winterbottom’s side departed the tournament soon after while Brazil – inspired by a 17-year-old Pele – went on to complete the first of their five World Cup triumphs.

The chance of revenge came just four years later when the two nations met in the quarter-finals in Chile but two goals from Garrincha meant Winterbottom’s side headed for another early exit after a 3-1 defeat while Brazil went on to retain the trophy.

England were world Champions when the two teams met in a group game in Mexico in 1970 for a clash between two heavyweights many people expected would be a warm-up for the final itself.

Jairzinho’s goal delivered another South American victory and, while the images of Gordon Banks’ save from Pele’s header and Bobby Moore embrace with the Brazilian have passed into folklore, England once again failed to pass the quarter-final stage, while samba skipper Carlos Alberto went on to lift the trophy.

The most recent meeting came in the 2002 quarter-final in Japan and probably still gives David Seaman nightmares. 

Michael Owen’s goal put Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side ahead but Rivaldo’s equaliser on the stroke of half-time was followed early in the second half by a moment Seaman will want to forget.

Ronaldinho’s free-kick from out wide completely deceived the keeper who expected a cross. The outcome was all too familiar; England out in the last eight and Brazil going on to become champions.

At last England’s youngsters have managed to buck the trend.