Argentina’s dramatic late 2-1 victory against England in the World Cup semi-finals ensures that a 44-year-old streak will be broken during Sunday’s final.
Fans across homes in both England and Argentina were left biting their nails throughout the tense encounter.
The Three Lions moved closer to securing only their second-ever World Cup final—where Spain awaits—when Anthony Gordon converted a magnificent cross from Morgan Rogers in the 55th minute to put England ahead.
However, heartbreak was in store for Thomas Tuchel’s side as late goals from Enzo Fernandez in the 85th minute and substitute Lautaro Martinez in the 92nd minute propelled Argentina to their third final across the last four tournaments.
Martinez’s decisive goal ensured that Inter Milan’s 44-year streak of having at least one representative feature in every World Cup final between 1982 and 2026 remains intact.
Conversely, England’s semi-final elimination means Sunday’s showcase will see Bayern Munich’s matching 44-year streak of having a player in every final since 1982 come to an end, as Harry Kane will not take part.
England will now face France in the third-place playoff, scheduled to take place in Miami on Saturday (July 18).
Immediate reactions to England’s World Cup semi-final defeat
Shortly after the final whistle, analysts began sharing their views on England’s painful loss, with former Three Lions forward Wayne Rooney telling BBC Sport: “We got ourselves in such a good position, and then we didn’t know what to do. We sat back, we allowed them to come onto us. They were creating a number of chances, then we cracked. Really disappointed.”
Meanwhile, fellow pundit Alan Shearer added: “I think the better team won. You have got to be open and honest about it. Their reaction was brilliant, they hit the post a few times and England got lucky. How they didn’t panic, how they stuck to their game plan, how they believed in what they were doing, and they did it. The substitutions worked for them, and you have to respect the way they came back into the game. They deserve to be in the final on Sunday, as much as it hurts to say that.”
Joe Hart also weighed in, noting: “Gareth Southgate took a lot of criticism for the big moments with England, when they had the lead in big games and shutting up shop. I don’t see that anything has changed in that big moment out there. For as much praise as we have given Thomas Tuchel, for him to change it as soon as he did, that is him saying he didn’t believe in his team, that he didn’t think they could land any more punches on Argentina.”
