It was their "hour of need", their time to step up and make their country proud, but England crumbled out of the World Cup they are hosting after being defeated by Australia 33-13.
Wallabies first-five Bernard Foley scores against England at Twickenham. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Their nation - and the world's - eyes were locked on them as hosts, but England was thrashed by Australia and is now taking a thrashing by commentators after being the first host country to not make it to the knock-out stages.
The Telegraph said the team left the World Cup in "humiliating fashion", while the Independent said the decision to bring in attacking brio George Ford was made too late.
"Some or all of the England players may come to regard this as the great missed opportunity of their careers," Hugh Godwin wrote in the Independent.
"They strained every muscle but were beaten by a more talented all-round Australian squad."
Chris Robshaw of England looks dejected with team mates after their loss to Australia. Photo: Getty
The Daily Mail said the team's dream had become a nightmare. Its defeat was of "seismic proportions".
"All that time. All that money. All that talk. And in the end? Nothing. Absolutely nothing."
Calls were already been made for team coach Stuart Lancaster to resign, but he has said it was "too raw" to talk about his future just yet, but the Mail 's Sam Peters said it will be almost impossible for him to survive the loss.
England winger Anthony Watson scores against Australia RWC2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
While some fans were taking to social media to express their dismay at the loss and urging Lancaster to "buy a ticket leaving tonight to somewhere warm and remote and w/out any TV or English papers", others were urging Lancaster to stay on.
But the England team was largely facing the wrath of their people, who were not impressed with their team being knocked out so early.
Knocked out of a tournament you are hosting, in a sport you invented. Ouch. #ENGvAUS
— James Smith (@JamesSmith1001) October 3, 2015
#ENG 13-33 #AUS: England fans right now... #ClarksonReacts #ENGvAUS #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/G9qOJNBIMj
— Clarkson Reactions (@ClarksonReacts) October 3, 2015
Maybe we should get England a ladder next time, they seem to have trouble getting out of the pool #ENGvAUS #RugbyWorldCup #rugby
— Samuel McGuigan (@Sam_McGuigan) October 3, 2015
Remember when England were going to win the world cup?? No, me neither #ENGvAUS #WRC2015
— Geraint Roberts (@gezzroberts) October 3, 2015
Some were looking at the loss from a more positive perspective.
Considering all Australians are descendants of British criminals I'll take this as a home win . #ENGvAUS
— trev (@no_comment88) October 3, 2015
Australia first-five Bernard Foley scores his team's second try Photo: AFP
Australia, on the other hand, has unsurprisingly being held up on a pedestal for securing their first win over England at a World Cup since 1991.
Bernard Foley, in particular, has been hailed as player of the day.
Just in case you missed it. @bernardfoley was AWESOME as @Wallabies dump hosts @EnglandRugby from #RWC2015 http://t.co/qkpTV5c3JS
— telegraph_sport (@telegraph_sport) October 3, 2015
One of the best performances in past 10 yrs by @Wallabies says @TimHoran12 totally agree & our scrum was awesome #ENGvAUS
— Jim Wilson (@Jim_Wilson7) October 3, 2015
Sydney Morning Herald's Chris Dutton summed up Australia's win, writing the team had "crushed England's hopes and dreams...blowing the World Cup wide open and delivering a killer blow which will send English rugby into turmoil this week."
How much turmoil will be revealed in time.
