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Key events
Given the fact that England were the better team for an hour or so in Atlanta, do we make Spain favourites for Sunday’s final? Coming up, a piece on the European champions, by Sid Lowe.
Just in case you missed any of it: England 1-2 Argentina match report by David Hytner | reaction from Matt Hughes | player ratings from Ed Aarons | analysis by Jacob Steinberg | Argentina analysis from Pablo Iglesias Maurer | England fan reaction by Priya Bharadia | Barney Ronay on Lionel Messi | Reaction from Thomas Tuchel by Ed Aarons | World Cup Daily podcast with Max Rushden and team | Plus! This morning’s news about Argentina’s post-match Falklands banner antics:
“A lot of the criticism for Tuchel and the England players suggests that it was a conscious decision for England to retreat and hold on after they scored last night,” writes Chris on email. “Argentina played a cagey game for the first 50 minutes or so, perhaps not wanting to commit too much until they had to, but the increased urgency after the England goal was what changed the game.
“England had no answer to the change in pace and the fresh substitutes they brought on. There were several times when Pickford and the defence had the ball but were pressed by a swarm of blue shirts and just couldn’t play out. Their attacks also increased in accuracy. Compare England’s opportunities to cross throughout the game (with the exception of the goal) and they rarely found a white shirt.
“Once Argentina started moving the ball about with more speed, they found Argentina players in the box on numerous occasions, despite the extra defenders England brought on. I think it’s easy to be critical of England for how they played in the last third of the match but we have to give a lot of credit to Argentina who ultimately changed their approach and England didn’t have the quality to stick with them. No shame in that, they’re the world champions for a reason.”
The Argentina players celebrated their World Cup win over England with a banner saying “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, making reference to the 1982 Falklands war.
Argentina were 1-0 down with five minutes to go of the semi-final in Atlanta but rallied and scored twice in quick succession to reach a second straight World Cup final, where they will face Spain in New Jersey on Sunday.
The banner refers to the dispute over the territory, which is referred to as the Falkland Islands in Britain and Islas Malvinas in Argentina, which led to a 74-day conflict 44 years ago. More than 900 people – 649 Argentinians and 255 Britons – lost their lives in the conflict.
Matt Hughes
The captain, Harry Kane, who is on six goals before England’s third-place playoff on Saturday against France – two behind Messi and Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot – conceded England had been too defensive after taking the lead.
“Once we went 1-0 up we seemed to just try to hold on, which at this level is not enough,” he told the BBC. “I’m just gutted for the boys, gutted for everyone, the team, the staff, the fans. We played a good game for the large majority of it.
“I’m just gutted because we’ve worked so hard to be here. The lads have given everything – every last bit of running, sweat, blood, tears, whatever it is. To fall short like we did today is just gutting.”
“Before yesterday’s match I had several patients (I’m a psychoanalyst) describe their fear of humiliation at the hands of Argentina,” emails Daniel.
“I am expecting their next sessions to be difficult after last night when fear was precisely what left England so vulnerable. The vibe was best captured in a piece that just appeared in The Athletic which wrote “Tuchel made a tactical alteration that will go down as one of the most consequential mistakes ever by an England manager in a big game”. Well said.
“I was 11 when I saw England win in 1966 and in every World Cup since I have seen the team lack the courage of the Alf Ramsay team and the only thing that helped make this bearable was a lifetime of disappointment as a dedicated Gas Head (AKA Bristol Rovers fan). Lions don’t lie down when the hunt is on. That’s the lesson that has to be learned.”
“My biggest takeaway from last night, apart from England inevitably retreating to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, is that Enzo Fernàndez may well be the heir to Luis Suárez,” emails James. “An incredibly unlikeable character, but one who is pretty bloody good at football. Oh, to have someone like that on the England team.”
On that note, didn’t Fernàndez essentially smack Anderson in the head early doors? How did he get away with it?
Priya Bharadia has some reaction from fans in Manchester:
“To be honest, I’m just happy we’ve made it this far,” Lucas Clapham, 25, with a shrug. “We’ve got to enjoy such a long period in this tournament. We’ve even got another game to play off the third, regardless.”
The England players “deserve a hero’s welcome” for their performance, said Rachel George, 30, who sat outside the now-empty Castlefield Bowl with friends Connor Ford and Amnre Judge.
“I was crying when we lost. It’s very sad, it’s a very sad time. But we go again in four years’ time,” she said. “We had a pub booking for Sunday. We’ll go see the final anyway, we’ll be supporting Spain.”
“People were celebrating too early as well, there were fireworks going off,” said Ford. “But the players should be really proud of their performance.”
The first Argentina goal – that came from Pickford touching a Martínez shot that looked to be going over out for a corner – reminded me of England v Colombia in 2018. Back then, if memory serves, Pickford made a spectacular save of a shot that wasn’t actually going in, conceded a corner, and Yerry Mina did the rest.
So if that Fernandez shot was actually going over, can we say it was all Pickford’s fault? Juuuuuust kidding.
There was a stat shared on the live minute-by-minute last night after the game was over: 'In the 37 minutes between Anthony Gordon’s goal and Lautaro Martinez’s winner, England had 12% possession.'
That's not just England going back into their shell, that's England being totally outplayed. Which is not to say that the substitutions were right, they weren't, but in the end Argentina just never give up and a limited England team already playing above themselves just couldn't cope.
England had a good tournament, but Argentina have Messi, and Messi is , as much as skill, genius even, pure force of will. It's not true to say that he's carrying this team, he's driving it forward, inspiring his teammates, making them all better than they would be without him.
My bracketology prediction was for a Spain/Argentina final with Spain to win. Now I'm not so sure, not while Argentina have Messi. We live in a time when greatness wears football boots and a No. 10 shirt. Let's be grateful for it.
I love Tommy but he fucked up yesterday. As soon as we scored the entire team compressed within 30 yards of goal, no outlet whatsoever.
He says he didn't change the tactics inferring the players decided to do that themselves but even if they did why the fuck weren't they screaming at Kane and Gordon to move forward.
The first sub, a defender for our fastest attacker, removing a masive counter opportunity. Then Rice and James had to be subbed and you get 2 more defenders.
What the absolute fuck?
I don't think he should be sacked, there are definitely signs of improvement within the England squad, but Tommy has to own that.
I thought Argentina played really well after we scored. They were a different team, focused, flowing football, stopped the 'Argie bargy' fouls and got down to work.
Their first goal was a great goal and in a tight defence, they're only chance was something special which they go. As for their second, they had been attempting about 3 or 4 times before success so we should have been able to plug the gap.
We reached the semi finals, a great achievement for a team that has had a dogged campaign at best - some highlights and some painful watching. The semi finals featured the top four ranked clubs so we were in good company and at least can say, reached our potential.
But you don't beat teams like Argentina by defending a goal, you have to break their spirit by scoring more and then sit back and watch the fustrations and eventual yellow cards start to flow in.
Come on Spain!
Lineker describes Tuchel tactics as 'unfathomable'
Gary Lineker has described Thomas Tuchel’s tactics in England’s World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina as “unfathomable”.
England took the lead early in the second half through Anthony Gordon but paid for a negative approach thereafter as Enzo Fernández struck in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martínez’s stoppage-time winner.
England boss Tuchel made several defensive substitutions, bringing on Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly and Dan Burn, but they could not stop Lionel Messi setting up both goals from the right wing.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, former England forward Lineker said: “I found it absolutely unfathomable that, if your tactic is to sit everyone deep, you do that against the greatest player ever to play football.
“I think he’s just cementing that game after game after game. Most goals in the World Cup, most assists in the World Cup. And he moves to the right, and you play a back five, and you still don’t go and get tight to him.
“Just put someone on him. He had so much space. He just whipped ball after ball after ball into the box.”
Former midfielder Joe Cole cited a negative mentality in sight of victory after England lost a third successive World Cup semi-final.
Cole said: “It was deflating, wasn’t it? Because we’ve been here before. I think it’s the same problems. If you ever take England on and get it done, you have to get over the hurdle where the fear of failure just paralyses England teams.
“Twelve per cent possession after we scored the goal, that tells you there’s something there. It’s a mindset. We could talk about tactics, substitutions and everything like that, but ultimately it comes from a manager.
“Too many times, it’s like a panic sets in when we’re nearly there. We’ve got it, and then we just trip over our own feet.” PA Media
“I think the criticism of Tuchel is justified,” emails Jon in Kent. “However, if he had have gone with more attacking subs earlier (ie Rashford for Gordon) and we conceded, then he would have been criticised for not being defensive as well. Damned if he did, damned if he didn’t, but as much as he got right during the tournament, he got it badly wrong at the worst time.
“I do think questions need to be asked about the fitness of the squad – no Saka in a game of this magnitude was very strange, even for the last few minutes.
“Overall, the team did so well getting to where they did, but the curse of the final hurdle remains.”
Argentina players' behaviour with Falklands banner 'entirely inappropriate', says government minister
Argentina’s players’ behaviour was “entirely inappropriate” when they waved a banner in support of their country’s claims to the Falkland Islands after their World Cup semi-final win against England, senior minister Peter Kyle has said.
Argentina, the defending champions, beat England 2-1 in Wednesday’s match in Atlanta. Argentina fans celebrated their victory jubilantly, with some near the pitch holding a banner which read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” – “The Falkland Islands are Argentinian”.
The banner made its way to the players, who held it up as they revelled in their win. They could face the prospect of disciplinary action from governing body Fifa for violating rules banning political messaging on the pitch.
Asked about the Argentinian players’ move, the Business Secretary Mr Kyle told the BBC: “My reaction is that it was entirely inappropriate. Politics needs to be separate from football.
“In fact, the World Cup has one of its central tenets that politics is separate from football. That is now a matter for Fifa. I expect Fifa to do its investigation thoroughly.”
He continued: “We expect Fifa to undertake an investigation into this. I think it was certain to happen because it was such an egregious violation of the the rules of not having political activity as part of the football.”
Political tensions linger between Argentina and Great Britain over the Falkland Islands, which boiled over into war in 1982.
Buenos Aires has repeatedly claimed sovereignty over the islands, which are about 8,000 miles from Britain and 300 miles from mainland Argentina.
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni had said before the game he did not want the fixture to become about the conflict over the British overseas territory.
The country’s vice-president Victoria Villarruel had described England as “invaders” and “usurping pirates” in the buildup to the fixture, and posted a victory message on X at full-time by saying, “it wasn’t just another match” alongside a video of what appeared to be Argentinian soldiers. PA Media
Pablo Iglesias Maurer
Until Argentina intersected with England in the World Cup semi‑final on Wednesday, their good fortune at this summer’s tournament had been preserved by a very particular, chaotic cocktail, one that sometimes felt more mythical than real. And for just a moment, it seemed like that mysticism was about to run out.
And then Argentina did what they’ve done all summer. They sent the bulk of a stadium – and an entire country – into hysterics. La Albiceleste scored twice in the dying moments of the match, erased the English lead and advanced to the final. After the second of those two goals – a Lautaro Martínez strike in second‑half stoppage time – supporters from both sides were openly weeping, for wildly different reasons.
“Didn’t you consider trying to win 2-0 or 3-0?” … is clearly a very armchair-fan type of question. (Tuchel: “That’s brilliant! I never thought of that, thank you.”)
But given how the game went after England scored and the substitutions that were made, it’s a valid question all the same.
I suspect part of England’s problem was simply physical exhaustion. As Tuchel said [below], nothing was changed immediately after the goal. So was it a mentality issue, with a place in the final in sight? Was it fatigue? Was it that Argentina simply upped their level to something England couldn’t deal with?
I am surprised Tuchel didn’t hook Kane – one thing I really thought he’d improve on from the Southgate era was to recognise when Kane needed to be replaced in these big knockout ties.
“Of course we wanted to go for the second goal,” Tuchel told the BBC last night. “But I had not the feeling that offensive substitutions would help. We stayed in our 4-4-2 but we became passive, more and more passive, we couldn’t win any balls, couldn’t keep the ball, so I think it was not a structural problem. We changed nothing after the [England] goal, but the match changed completely. Again, it’s no problem, I can understand it – these discussions are out there … there are a million coaches, after the game, who know it better.”
“That’s all on Tuchel last night,” emails Daniel. “Those who learn nothing from the past are set to repeat the same failures. I can accept losing when you’ve had a right good go but from 67 mins that last night we almost waited to be beaten.
“That being said, I said at the start at the tournament, we had our time in 2021 and 2024 but unfortunately we blew it. Both squads in my opinion were better than the current one. I can’t remember who said it on the Athletic podcast a few days ago, but they were right international football is about timing. We’ve had eight years of some good and very good players, maybe not world-class mind. For me and many, Italy at Wembley will always be the one that got away.”
Thanks Martin. Hello everyone.
Were England afraid to win? Did Thomas Tuchel get it horribly wrong, after getting so much right? Were Argentina playing for something deeper and more important than football? Who will win the final?
We can have a crack at all those questions and more after a momentous World Cup semi-final in Atlanta. Send us your thoughts on email.
Martin Pegan
Thanks for following along – and perhaps even starting your day – as we started to dissect England’s defeat and what comes next for Argentina. Luke McLaughlin will take the reins from here …
FA backs Tuchel in wake of England’s exit – reports
Under-fire Thomas Tuchel retains the Football Association’s backing after England’s disappointing World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina and looks set to stay on as head coach for Euro 2028, per PA Media.
The 52-year-old former Chelsea boss was named Gareth Southgate’s successor in November 2024 and was widely cited as having the necessary tactical acumen to go one step further than his predecessor, who lost in back-to-back European Championship finals as well as in a World Cup semi-final.
The German coach’s negative decision making has put him under intense scrutiny, but it is being reported that he maintains the FA’s support. Tuchel’s initial deal had only covered this World Cup but in February he signed an extension until 2028, when he fully intends to lead England into the home Euros.
Speaking after the Argentina loss, the head coach said: “I have a contract until the home Euros and I’m looking forward to that even like now it is difficult to look that far ahead.”
England flew back to their Kansas City base after Wednesday’s agonising loss in Georgia, where the FA chief executive Mark Bullingham praised Tuchel:
It is heartbreaking to be so close. The players and Thomas gave it everything today and the squad, coaches and staff could not have worked harder during the tournament. I would like to thank them all – and also give my heartfelt thanks to our wonderful fans here in the USA and at home. We felt your support every step of the way and we are all so disappointed not to go further.”
Thomas Tuchel might have delivered mixed messages after the semi-final defeat to Argentina, but our own Jacob Steinberg was clear in his thinking the England head coach had not earned a free pass.
This was a tale as old as time. There was a chance for England to push on after Anthony Gordon fired them ahead early in the second half, but they reverted to type. The mentality was passive and they looked scared to win. No one put a foot on the ball and offered control. Harry Kane? Invisible in another game. The midfield? Outplayed, outrun and outclassed by Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández. Thomas Tuchel? Outwitted by Lionel Scaloni, whose substitutions made a difference, and too quick to retreat when there was so long left for England to defend their lead.
Tuchel takes blame, but says 'no regrets'
Thomas Tuchel had already shown this week he’s not someone who is prone to mere pleasantries after a game. The head coach shouldered the blame for England becoming too passive after taking the lead against Argentina, but at the same time said he had “no regrets”.
I don’t believe so much in an English thing and a curse or whatever. It’s repeating itself in different moments. It’s different coaches, different players, different situations.
What cost us today was that we were not active enough in any structure. I can understand these discussions are out there and of course a million coaches after the game know it better. You can discuss this with a million coaches. I have to make a decision on the pitch. It’s how I analyse the match and I take the responsibility.
At the moment no regrets.
pping has had enough time to analyse where it all went wrong for England:
“What surprised me most about this game was that I was surprised by it. I was surprised that Argentina started the shithousery in the first minute, when I should have expected it. It was smart, they went after the younger guys, the guys most likely to get thrown off by it, or see the red mist …
“I was surprised that Tuchel tried to hold the one goal lead, this wasn’t Mexico, we had seen the threat already. I was surprised Tuchel didn’t seem to grasp that Harry Kane isn’t fast enough to be the pressure relief for the low block, but you would rather have him on than off.
“I was surprised that there was no review of the goal – Messi clearly caught Spence late, and the usual completely irrelevant bollocks – no intent, a coming together, limping on the wrong leg, etc. When we’d seen VAR rewind to the previous days training to find a foul in the build up to other goals. I was also surprised by how many people thought Messi had a great game. He was largely invisible, in the pocket of Spence/Anderson/Rogers, etc. He had more meaningful touches on England players than the ball.
“Mostly I’m surprised that I keep coming back, only to fall out of love with what the game has become … See you in two years for the Euros. Maybe. Might just go back to watching the local club.”
It will of course be tough for the England players, and broader camp, to come to terms with giving up a 1-0 lead and a spot in the World Cup final in the dying stages of their semi-final against Argentina. But the pain is likely all too familiar for them and their fans.
David Wall is among the first to write in and presents an admirably considered view: “A number of people have said this, but I think this is more disappointing than previous defeats at a similar stage in tournaments. Southgate was criticised for not acting and making changes to stop England becoming more defensive and passive after they went ahead in games. But here Tuchel made a conscious choice to become more defensive and passive after they went ahead.
“Rather than being unable to stop us edging back to the edge of the cliff he actively lowered us down over the edge to cling on by our fingertips. He seemed to assume that because that approach worked against Mexico and Norway in very different conditions [i.e. with 10 players or in exhausting heat and humidity] it would work here. His post-match interview didn’t seem to recognise that. Perhaps that’s just because it was immediately after the final whistle but if we’re going to do better in the next Euros then he needs to so he doesn’t make a similar decision again.”
The Argentina players could not resist doubling down on their triumph over old rivals England as they celebrated their World Cup win with a banner saying “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, making reference to the 1982 Falklands war. Lisandro Martínez and Giovani Lo Celso held up the banner, grinning, and waved to fans in the stands.
Fifa’s stadium code of conduct bans “banners, flags, flyers, apparel and other paraphernalia that are of a political, offensive, and/or discriminatory nature” inside stadiums, so expect to hear more about this one either way.
The emotions were the polar opposite in Argentina including in Buenos Aires where tens of thousands of fans flooded the streets to celebrate the side’s win over England.
Some screamed, others cried – and the most frenzied sprinted shirtless through the streets, their bodies painted in blue and white national colours. Young men and women scaled lamp-posts and traffic lights, waving Argentina flags in a collective eruption of joy.
The England captain had little influence on the game against Argentina and fell well short of his usual high standards. Barney Ronay pulled no punches in saying, “Harry Kane basically did some light cardio quite close to a World Cup semi-final”.
Kane then had to try to find the words to explain the defeat and the heartbreak that the players and wider England camp were feeling in the immediate aftermath, saying: “I think there’s not much to say. For now, everyone has to process what’s just happened.”
Barney Ronay was at Atlanta Stadium as Lionel Messi helped turn the game against England. The Argentina captain only occasionally breaks into a run these days. He often looks bored by what is unfolding around him. But it is hard to imagine Messi as anything other than the most impactful footballer on the pitch even as he is about to become the oldest outfield player ever to appear in a World Cup final.
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. Well, not to this lot anyway. On a day of ceaseless rolling noise under Atlanta’s vast refrigerated dome, England reached the end of the road, the end of their own capacities at this World Cup, the end of the gears within this team. Mainly they ran into Lionel Messi, who wasn’t ready to be done just yet. Not like this anyway.
With 55 minutes gone England were actually winning this game, 1-0 up thanks to Anthony Gordon’s goal, the only real moment of clarity they produced all match. At which point they simply disappeared as an animate entity from the stage.
Lionel Messi will play in a third World Cup final at the age of 39 after helping to drag Argentina over the line with a pair of assists in their semi-final win against England.
But was Messi’s effervescent best enough to earn a perfect rating? And what score did England’s captain Harry Kane earn as his side failed to hang on to their spot in a World Cup final in the dying stages? Ed Aarons was at Atlanta Stadium marking the players as the action unfolded.
Jude Bellingham Fired up from the start, came close to losing his rag in injury time – couldn’t save England this time.
Anthony Gordon Has come of age at this tournament. Will never forget scoring in a World Cup semi-final.
There was pleasure and pain inside Atlanta Stadium and far beyond. Here is a little taster with a full picture gallery of shots from the England and Argentina semi-final below …
Preamble
Martin Pegan
And then there were two. Whether you’ve been celebrating Argentina’s come-from-behind triumph or commiserating England’s World Cup exit with a heavy heart, the focus will soon turn toward the final between the reigning champions and Spain.
But before we reach that point, there is still time to catch up on Argentina’s semi-final win against England, and all that happened and was said in the aftermath of yet another memorable World Cup clash between the bitter rivals.
And where better to start than David Hytner’s report from the thrilling match at Atlanta Stadium.
England’s destiny is tournament heartbreak. The only question concerns when it comes and how the fates will contrive to make it as painful as possible. This was an implausibly brutal new low.
If you have any thoughts on the World Cup semi-finals, early predictions for the final or just feel the need to vent – shoot me an email, or find me on Bluesky @martinpegan.bsky.social. Let’s get into it!
