Success in the World Cup has the power to change the mood of a nation. People discover a wonderful elixir of hope, and share in a glorious moment. They find heroes too. In England, the younger generation has been a step ahead, in terms of embracing the belief. Now, after England’s convincing victory over Sweden on Saturday, those old enough to have memories of the last time the England team reached the semi-finals of a World Cup,which was 28 years ago, are also buying into the euphoria.

The reason for the delayed reaction of the older group is caution, born of painful previous experience.

To millennials, 1990 must sound like ancient history, and it’s notable that only six members of the current playing squad were alive when that epic semi-final against West Germany took place.

As teenagers in 1990, we too were given a context for success, with frequent media recollections of England’s triumphant 1966 World Cup winning team. Hearing about it added to the thrill of possibility. The 1990 World Cup drama meant something to everyone, and not necessarily in a patriotic way. We all experienced the human highs and lows, and eventually the suffering of lost opportunity.

The team was within touching distance of the final when the match went to a penalty shoot-out that England lost. We shared the pain, through images of the players’ utter desolation, but particularly in the manner of their leader, their inspirational manager Bobby Robson. The team’s adventure also had its own theme tune – World in Motion, by New Order – and heroic images of Robson’s squad were across the media. We all fell for it and it was beautiful.

Bobby died from cancer, age 76, in 2009, but his enthusiasm, positivity, spirit and passion reached the whole nation that summer. He was much loved and still is. During the BBC broadcast on Saturday, documentary clips showed Robson’s sad yet endearing reaction at that moment of defeat. The images were incredibly moving, and captured the deep sense of hope he had carried for the England team to be a success.

England’s 1990 World Cup striker, Gary Lineker, the TV presenter, closed the BBC broadcast by daring to whisper the three words that have become a mantra of hope for fans: “It’s coming home,” and in doing so, allied his generation with the millennials.

England has a new team and a new kind of manager with Gareth Southgate, who believes in youth. They in turn, believe in him, and now we all do. Bobby would love it.