England's World Cup hopes came crashing down in dramatic fashion Wednesday night, as Argentina snatched a 2-1 victory in the semifinal. A late equalizer from Enzo Fernández in the 85th minute was followed by Lionel Messi's exquisite cross to Lautaro Martínez for the go-ahead goal, sealing Argentina's spot in Sunday's final. For England, the dream is over—and now they face a game nobody wants to play.
Manager Thomas Tuchel didn't mince words when discussing Saturday's third-place match against France. “None of our players and none of the French players want to play this match,” he told reporters. “We demand the most of ourselves. That’s just the nature of being competitive. They want to play the final. We gave everything to achieve that. Everyone plays to win the World Cup, but that’s how it is.”
Despite the lack of enthusiasm, Tuchel confirmed England will take the field. “We have one less day of recovery than France, but we will do it with professionalism,” he added. The sentiment echoes the disappointment felt by fans, with many branding the squad cowards after a gutless collapse against Argentina.
A Semifinal to Forget
England appeared to have one foot in the final, but Argentina's relentless pressure paid off in the dying minutes. The match turned on a series of controversial calls, and the referee faced heavy criticism for missed decisions. What should have been a celebration of football became a bitter pill for the Three Lions.
Tuchel later described the performance as his team's “best game” of the tournament, a claim that left many scratching their heads. The jaw-dropping statement only added to the frustration among supporters, many of whom are now demanding Tuchel's head after the crushing loss.
Tuchel's Job Is Safe—For Now
Despite the uproar, the Football Association has confirmed Tuchel will remain in charge through the 2028 European Championship. His contract, signed before the World Cup, runs through that tournament. FA chief executive Mark Bullingham praised the team's effort: “The players and Thomas gave it everything today and the squad, coaches and staff could not have worked harder during the tournament.”
Still, the third-place game feels like a hollow consolation. England's focus now shifts to the future, but for Saturday, they must face a French side equally disappointed to be playing for bronze. It's a match neither team wants, but one they have to play.
