After Monday's last-gasp 2-1 win against Tunisia, the English players had a recovery day in Repino, a Russian village serving as their base for the group stage. The team is now getting ready for the next Group G clash with Panama, with the preparations involving a bit of basketball and gym workouts.
The highlight of England's recovery day, however, was a spectacular race in the swimming pool, which saw Jesse Lingard, Jordan Pickford, Harry Maguire and Kieran Trippier ride inflatable unicorns.
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The unusual photo session has given rise to many laughs and smiles on the Internet, with users praising England's great team spirit.
'Three unicorns on a shirt, Jules Remet still gleaming, Thirty years of hurt' 😂
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) 20 июня 2018 г.
Work hard, play hard. The togetherness in this England team is the best it's been for a long, long time! 👏🏴 https://t.co/2X8fBDatyC
Imagine England actually win the World Cup, and the secret all along was racing inflatable unicorns in training… #WC18 pic.twitter.com/h2PgBQnooY
— Michael (@michaelquig) 20 июня 2018 г.
This is what I love about this @England team & Southgate and his staff must take so much credit. Racing unicorns 🦄😂 #recovery https://t.co/05niOqB5SS
— Luke Sheekey (@LukeSheekey) 19 июня 2018 г.
Respect to this………. Gareth again letting the team bond and have a laugh. Yes job to do but chilled togetherness is important ⚽️🏴😁 #Eng #ThreeLions
— Ash Durham (@mashd09) 19 июня 2018 г.
Some netizens, however, have been more critical of England's new relaxation method.
Nothing serves as a crushing indictment of the lameness of international football more than a photo of England players riding inflatable unicorns. pic.twitter.com/9qEwOuaf0w
— Girl Who Likes Balls (@CFCgwlb) 20 июня 2018 г.
And this is why england will never win big tournament
— Francesco Broccoli (@Rocco1988) 20 июня 2018 г.
England players are so sure football is coming home that they're not even arsed. Just racing unicorns in the pool. No biggie. pic.twitter.com/AiVvX2jC4r
— Ben Nagle (@bennagle17) 19 июня 2018 г.
Others have gone even further to compare the unicorns with England's chances in Russia.
Much like unicorns, England's chances of winning the World Cup don't exist either.
— Joe 🌵 (@ultracheese29) 19 июня 2018 г.
There is a bigger chance of 11 of those Unicorns winning the World Cup than England! They are always fond of the idealisms of a fantasy! #England #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/tSwFwQctII
— Shane Anders (@ShaneAnders95) 19 июня 2018 г.
