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They can't say they weren't warned about the consequences. But less than four days after Brexit, England probably did not expect their declining European relevancy to extend to the football pitch.
Their second serving of humiliation came in the form of a 2-1 loss to minnows Iceland in the European Championships - plunging the English people into their second existential crisis in the space of a week.
Iceland, who with a population of just 331,000 is the smallest nation to qualify for an international football tournament, came from behind to knock England out of Euro 2016.
On the field, English players lay prostrate with shame, their heads in their hands, as the final whistle announced their ignominous exit.
Minutes later - before players had even unfurled from their fetal positions - England's manager Roy Hodgson announced his resignation.
In doing so, he joined outgoing British Prime Minister David Cameron as human collateral on the wrong side of the scoreboard, while opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn stared down a cabinet revolt.
Online, even biting comedic banter could not conceal the deep national shame of one of England's worst defeats in its football history.
Not been this embarrassed to be English since Friday— Jules (@Jules___R) June 27, 2016
Maybe #England can discuss leaving #EURO2016 informally first, before actually going home.— Jeff Black (@Jeffrey_Black) June 27, 2016
England: “Tonight we shall be recreating the last few days through the medium of football”.
Miserable.#ENGICE #EURO2016— David Schneider (@davidschneider) June 27, 2016
Let's see that Iceland goal again from a different angle. pic.twitter.com/1pIYpnMyZE— Andrew (@AndrewSteel88) June 27, 2016
Didn't realise the England players wanted out of Europe too. #brexit #EURO2016— Oliver Phelps (@OliverPhelps) June 27, 2016
Feels to me like only 48% of the English team wanted to stay in #Euro2016 #ENGISL #Brexit #Brexit2 #SMITE #ICELANDSMITES— Andy Lodder (@AndrewLodder) June 27, 2016
While the victors celebrated with unbridled joy, for one Icelander - the match's commentator - the upset was pure ecstasy.
“You can leave Europe! You can go wherever the hell you want!”
Icelandic commentator after win. Voice of #Euro2016 pic.twitter.com/7EaLD3kV3t— Gissur Simonarson CN (@GissiSim) June 27, 2016
Iceland celebration !!! What a moment in @UEFAEURO . Anything possible! pic.twitter.com/EuFCoxV8Ww— Glenn Davis (@GlennDavisSoc) June 27, 2016
England's manager is paid $4.6 million a year.
Iceland's manager is a part-time dentist. pic.twitter.com/qXSbnh2OPw— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) June 27, 2016
Amid calls for a second Brexit referendum, so too came the calls for a rematch with an online petition garnering thousands of signatures in minutes.
Aaaaand there it is! #Brexit #euro2016 @MWO2602 pic.twitter.com/HQbgcSlZkW— Tom Steinfort (@tomsteinfort) June 27, 2016
The British press, of course, were unsparing in their assessment
Tuesday's Daily Star back page:
"Cod help us"#Tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers #EURO2016 #ISL #eng pic.twitter.com/D0eIe7pLfD (via @suttonnick)— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) June 27, 2016
Tuesday's i back page
Out-thought
Out-fought
Out of Europe
Out of a job#Tomorrowspaperstoday #EURO2016 #ISL #eng pic.twitter.com/CusNBpJja1— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) June 27, 2016
Tuesday's Telegraph Sport:
"England's greatest humiliation" #Tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers #EURO2016 #ISL #ENG pic.twitter.com/wGhyfvxACI— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) June 27, 2016
Tuesday's Sun front page:
Dumbs gone to Iceland#Tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers #EURO2016 #ISL #eng pic.twitter.com/HRtO33RXHU— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) June 27, 2016
Tuesday's Sun back page:
Ice Wallies#Tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers #EURO2016 #ISL #eng pic.twitter.com/5qYaITR6Tz— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) June 27, 2016