Heartbreak in Atlanta
Harry Kane couldn't hide his devastation after England's 2-1 World Cup 2026 semi-final defeat to Argentina, admitting his side tried to hold on to an early lead in a game that slipped dramatically away at the Atlanta Stadium.
"I'm gutted," Kane told broadcasters. "I'm gutted for the boys, I'm gutted for everyone, the team, the staff, the fans. We played a good game for the large majority of it. Once we went 1-0 up we seemed to just try and hold on which at this level, against a team like Argentina, is not enough."
"I'm gutted for the boys, I'm gutted for everyone, the team, the staff, the fans."
Anthony Gordon had fired England ahead in the 55th minute, and for long spells Thomas Tuchel's side looked in control. But Argentina, spearheaded by Lionel Messi's enduring magic, turned the tie on its head with two assists for late goals from Enzo Fernandez (85') and Lautaro Martinez (90+2'), sending the reigning champions into a final against Spain.
Tuchel: 'We got too passive'
England manager Thomas Tuchel echoed Kane's assessment, saying his team "got too passive" after taking the lead. "We stopped playing, we stopped believing in our possession, and we invited pressure," Tuchel said. "At this level, you cannot just defend a 1-0 for 35 minutes against Argentina."
Former England captain Wayne Rooney, working as a pundit, was critical of Tuchel's substitutions. "Oh no," Rooney was overheard saying as the changes disrupted England's rhythm. "It affected the mentality of the players. It looked like we were trying to hold on to something, and you can't do that against the world champions."
Controversy after the final whistle
The match ended in controversy when Argentina players unfurled a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" (The Falklands are Argentine), referencing the disputed islands. Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Giovani Lo Celso was pictured prominently with the banner. FIFA is said to be considering a fine for the political display.
Off the pitch, the defeat drew reactions from high-profile figures. The Prince of Wales, Prince William, who is patron of the Football Association, said he was "gutted" but told the team to "hold your heads high," calling them "the most complete England team in a tournament." Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer added that the players had "made us all proud."
What next for England?
The defeat means England’s wait for a first World Cup since 1966 goes on, and Tuchel’s future will now be under scrutiny after a tournament that promised much. For Kane, now 32, it may represent his last realistic shot at international silverware. "It hurts," he said. "You think about how close we were, and it just wasn't meant to be."
Argentina, meanwhile, move on to face Spain in what promises to be a classic final on Sunday, with Messi seeking to crown a glittering career with back-to-back World Cup triumphs.
