Heartbreak has struck again – this time in Atlanta. England's semi-final dreams were cruelly snatched away by Argentina in a drama-filled encounter that will leave fans reeling for days to come. The Three Lions took the lead through Anthony Gordon's 55th-minute strike, but it was not enough to see off the reigning champions, who scored two late goals – including a devastating injury-time winner from Lautaro Martinez – to seal their passage to the final.
Dan Burn, the Newcastle defender, cut a dejected figure as he reflected on the crushing defeat. "Gutted," he said simply, summing up the collective feeling in the England camp. The team had executed their gameplan to perfection for 60 minutes – but then switched off, allowing Argentina's quality to tell.
This heart-wrenching loss has echoes of England's 2018 semi-final defeat by Croatia, where they also led before ultimately losing. And it's a painful reminder that, despite their bravery and resilience throughout the tournament, the team still haven't cracked the code when it comes to delivering in the biggest games.
Harry Kane, the captain, was visibly devastated, feeling as though his side had let a golden opportunity slip through their fingers. "We were 10 minutes away from being in the final," he lamented, acknowledging that England's struggles with possession and pressure had ultimately cost them dear. It's a problem that has plagued the team for years – and one they need to solve sooner rather than later.
Yet despite this crushing defeat, there are still plenty of positives to take from the tournament. Burn was effusive in his praise for his teammates, saying: "I am still very proud of what we have done at this World Cup. We didn't get the outcome we wanted, but I thought we were going to do it – and that's a testament to the spirit and character of this group."