Anthony Gordon reacts after England lost 2-1 to Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals in Atlanta on Wednesday.Richard Pelham/Getty Images
The headlines said it all – “Another fine Messi,” “Same old story,” and “End of the World.”
Few nations have suffered as much grief at the World Cup as England but Wednesday’s 2-1 semi-final loss to Argentina was a particularly agonizing blow.
After England forward Anthony Gordon scored early in the second half, it looked like England’s 60-year wait for another shot at the title might actually be over. But two late goals from Argentina, led by the team’s talisman Lionel Messi, crushed the dream.
Just to rub it in, several Argentina players celebrated on the field by holding up a banner that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas,” or “The Falkland Islands are Argentinian” – a reference to a group of small islands off the coast of Argentina. Britain claims sovereignty over the territories, which is disputed by Buenos Aires. Argentina’s military launched an invasion in 1982 and waged a brief war with British forces before surrendering.
The banner has sparked outrage in Britain. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office and several British politicians have called on the governing body for soccer, FIFA, to sanction the Argentinian team. FIFA rules prohibit the displaying of political message or slogans. “My reaction is that it was entirely inappropriate,” said Business Secretary Peter Kyle. “We expect FIFA to undertake an investigation into this.”
A spokesperson for Mr. Starmer also called on FIFA to look into the matter. “The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are,” the spokesperson told reporters on Thursday.
For soccer fans, the diplomatic furor only added to the pain of yet another loss.
This was England’s fourth appearance in the semi-finals and third loss. The only win came in 1966 when England won it all. The country also has the dubious distinction of being the only team this century to score first in two semi-finals and still lose.
Argentina’s Giovani Lo Celso holds a banner with the words ‘The Malvinas are Argentine,’ referring to the Falkland Islands.Rebecca Blackwell/The Associated Press
“I kind of expected it,” said soccer fan Bonnie Lambert, who watched the game at her home in Doncaster. “I was disappointed and of course, we’re all disappointed. But I was born in 1969, and I don’t think I’ll ever see the World Cup here in my lifetime.”
Prince William summed up the national mood by saying he was “gutted” at the result. “England, you gave it everything and we are all so proud of you,” the prince said in a statement Thursday. “The most complete England team in a tournament. Hold your heads high.”
Mr. Starmer was also “gutted” and added, “Tonight wasn’t the result we all hoped for, but this England team has given it their all.”
The BBC offered some helpful tips for fans “coping with the dashed hopes of a place in the final.” Among them: Recognize the feeling of pain and “ride it out and tell yourself it’s just part of the process.”
The loss has also led to finger pointing and a search for someone to blame. Many pundits are pointing to the manager, Thomas Tuchel.
He was hired last year to help get England over the line at major tournaments. His predecessor, Gareth Southgate, won high praise for guiding England to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2018 and the finals of the European Championships in 2021 and 2024. Tuchel’s job was to go one better and win.
His decision making throughout the tournament had been largely well received, especially when England won a round of 16 game against Mexico in Mexico City after going down to 10 men. His substitutions were hailed as brilliant.
England supporters react near the end of Wednesday’s defeat.BROOK MITCHELL/AFP/Getty Images
But on Wednesday his tactics came into question when the team became far more defensive after Gordon’s goal. At one point, England had six defenders on the field and Argentina launched a sustained attack. From the time of Gordon’s goal at the 55th minute to the winning header by Lautaro Martinez at 92 minutes, England had just 12 per cent possession.
“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,” said former England player Gary Lineker referring to Messi.
“If we don’t get agitated in a situation like this, when can we? We should be angry about a situation like this. It is disgraceful,” said soccer commentator Henry Winter.
Opinion: England’s World Cup loss is more than sporting, it’s existential
After the game, Tuchel defended his substitutions and said he had no regrets.
“Of course we wanted to go for the second goal,” he told BBC when asked about the defensive stance. He said the team was already looking passive after the goal and that adding attacking players would not have helped. “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 goal, but the match changed completely.”
He added that “there are a million coaches, after the game, who know it better.”
The Football Association, the governing body in England, signed the manager to a two-year contract extension in February, which will take him to the next European Championships in 2028. On Thursday, the association stood by Tuchel.
England still has one more World Cup match. The bronze medal game on Saturday against France, the other semi-final loser. And there’s always next time, in 2030.