England’s years of hurt will now stretch beyond 60, but the late collapse to a World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina may just be the most painful wound of all.
The clock inside the magnificent Atlanta Stadium showed England were five minutes of normal time away from ending the wait for a men’s World Cup final that stretches back to 1966, when they lifted the Jules Rimet trophy at Wembley. England’s players and head coach Thomas Tuchel had immortality in their hands as they led through Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute goal.
Their grasp, however, was loosened by catastrophic decision making from Tuchel that instigated wave after wave of Argentina attacks orchestrated by Lionel Messi. One goal seemed inevitable – and it came from Enzo Fernandez in the 85th minute. Then, with England on the ropes, they were floored by Lautaro Martinez’s injury-time header. A stunned football nation wakes up to another desperate near-miss from this nearly team.
Tuchel’s Tactical Gamble Backfires
Tuchel’s unique selling point when he succeeded Sir Gareth Southgate was the idea he would win matches his predecessor could not. That he would not be gripped by the caution Southgate was criticised for when losing the last two Euros finals and the 2018 World Cup semi-final to Croatia. The thinking was that Tuchel would drive England over the line, whereas Southgate supposedly retreated from it.
And yet, when it counted and the pressure was at its height, Tuchel produced the sort of tactical retreat – and loss – that would have seen Southgate pilloried. Once Gordon put England ahead, Tuchel decided on a rearguard action. That worked against Mexico and Norway – but not against a Messi-inspired Argentina. Tuchel replaced goalscorer Gordon with defender Ezri Konsa with 18 minutes left and switched to a back five. He then brought Nico O’Reilly and Dan Burn on for Declan Rice and Reece James.
It was clear almost instantly that Tuchel had called it badly. It did nothing but invite Argentine pressure and those late goals. Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez thumped home Messi’s pass to equalise, and substitute Lautaro Martinez headed the winner two minutes into injury time – both goals coming from Messi assists.
“Gutted,” said Newcastle defender Dan Burn. “Absolutely gutted. We nailed the gameplan pretty well. Then the last five minutes… it’s hard to take.”
If there was one statistic that brutally condemned Tuchel’s approach, it was that England only had 12% possession between taking the lead and Martinez’s winning goal nearly 40 minutes later. This one was almost all on Tuchel.
History Repeats Itself
For the second time in eight years, England’s men led a World Cup semi-final. But for Croatia in 2018, read Argentina in 2026. The parallels are striking. England took the lead, sat back, and were punished. Captain Harry Kane summed up the feeling.
“Everyone’s gutted. I’m gutted for all the boys, all the staff, everyone behind the scenes, because we know how much everyone puts into being a successful national team,” said Kane. “When you’re so close, when you’re 10-plus minutes away and it slips out of your hands like that, obviously it’s going to be devastating.”
The defeat will haunt England. With the 2028 European Championship on home soil on the horizon, the pain of this World Cup exit may linger for years. It came after Tuchel had signed a two-year contract extension in February, with the FA’s clear mission being to win this tournament.
There is no suggestion the Football Association will part ways with Tuchel. Chief executive Mark Bullingham gave Tuchel his full backing after the match, and the German is expected to lead England into Euro 2028. The FA recognised the progress made under him, and the manner of the semi-final defeat, while crushing, does not erase the team’s overall tournament performance.
What Next for England?
England’s immediate future is stable, but the scars will run deep. Tuchel must now turn his attention to Euro 2028, where expectations will be enormous on home soil. The squad remains talented, with players like Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon entering their prime years. Yet this generation has now suffered multiple near-misses, and questions about their ability to get over the line in major tournaments will only intensify.
For now, the nation can only reflect on a 60-year wait that has now extended, and a semi-final that felt like the cruelest twist yet. Argentina march on to face Spain in the final, while England are left to wonder what might have been.