Disappointment and despair descended upon Wembley Stadium on Wednesday as England's World Cup dream was cruelly snuffed out by Argentina's late, late show. A nail-biting semi-final saw Harry Kane fire the Three Lions into an early lead, only for the Albiceleste to strike twice in the final few minutes, plunging a nation into collective heartbreak.
Watched by an electrified 24 million-strong audience, England's players were on the cusp of glory before being brought crashing back down to earth by Argentina's unyielding pressure. Now, all eyes will be on manager Thomas Tuchel as he comes under intense scrutiny over his tactical decisions – and whether they led to a familiar tale of semi-final woe.
Just like in 2018, when England succumbed to Croatia's superior counter-attack, or the Euro 2020 final heartbreak against Italy, critics will be asking if Tuchel's team retreated into defensive shell-shock at the critical moment. The man brought in to shake things up is now facing questions about his ability to maintain control from a winning position – can he really deliver on his promise as a 'change agent'?
The spotlight will, of course, also shine brightly on Lionel Messi, whose mesmerising display once again left the world in awe. At 39 years young, the Argentine maestro continues to defy time with performances that are simply sublime.
But amidst all the sporting spectacle, controversy brewed – as it often does at these high-stakes tournaments. Visa injustices and over-commercialisation have been hot topics this World Cup, while Messi's own teammates were caught displaying a Falklands-related banner that cast a shadow over his individual brilliance.
Yet for England fans, there was also much to cherish in the campaign – not least their electrifying win against Mexico in the Azteca. Tuchel and his squad will now regroup with a similarly deflated France team for the third-place play-off, before flying back home from the US. On balance, this tournament has reaffirmed England's position among football's elite – but at what cost to their pride?