England is going to take the World Cup — besting Brazil in a tight final after narrowly defeating Portugal.
Unless markets fail.
It’s hard not to reach that conclusion after contemplating England’s imposing $1.3 billion-plus roster. It’s the richest in the competition, roughly 80 times as valuable as the home team, Qatar, at the very bottom of the pile. If England’s scoring abilities are proportional to the money its players are worth, it should have disposed of Iran in the opener by 21-to-1.