England vs Argentina 2026 World Cup Semi-Final Verdict

England are out of the 2026 World Cup. Argentina beat them in the semi-final in Atlanta, and the manner of it — a late collapse from a winning position — makes it arguably the most painful defeat in 60 years of hurt. Jude Bellingham and his team-mates were on the floor at full time. Their nation woke up to another brutal near-miss.

Anthony Gordon put England ahead in the 55th minute. They held that lead until the 85th minute, five minutes of normal time away from a first men's World Cup final since 1966. Then Enzo Fernandez equalised. Then Lautaro Martinez headed home in injury time. It was over.

The blame sits squarely on Thomas Tuchel. With the lead secured, he replaced goalscorer Gordon with defender Ezri Konsa after 72 minutes and switched to a back five. He then removed Declan Rice and Reece James for Nico O'Reilly and Dan Burn. England had 12% possession between taking the lead and Martinez's winner — nearly 40 minutes of self-imposed siege. The Argentine pressure was not repelled. It was invited.

Tuchel's selection decisions throughout the tournament will now be dissected. Reece James's hamstring forced a chaotic rotation at right-back through Jarell Quansah, Djed Spence and Konsa. Trent Alexander-Arnold was left out entirely. Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Morgan Gibbs-White were ignored. Ivan Toney came on in the 96th minute — his first appearance of the tournament — for a shootout that never arrived.

Tuchel was hired by the FA after Euro 2024 to go where Gareth Southgate could not. A semi-final exit, engineered largely by his own hand, is the result. England now turn their attention to Premier League clubs picking up the pieces, and the long road toward Euro 2028 begins in defeat.

First reported by BBC Sport Football.