Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has expressed deep devastation after England’s 2-1 loss to Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final.
Thomas Tuchel’s side looked on course to reach England’s first men’s World Cup final since their win in 1966 when Anthony Gordon gave them the lead in a feisty encounter after 55 minutes.
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Argentina, however, were inspired and turned the contest around when Enzo Fernandez struck a magnificent equaliser with five minutes left before Lautaro Martinez headed in a stoppage-time winner from Lionel Messi’s cross.
Reacting after the game, Kane, in a chat with the BBC, stated that the players abandoned their tactical instructions and fell into a trap of trying to hold onto a narrow lead rather than staying on the attack.
He expressed gratitude to the fans and his teammates who left every ounce of energy on the pitch, labeling the 2-1 stoppage-time collapse as gutting.
“Gutted for the boys, gutted for everyone – the team, the staff, the fans,” England captain Kane told the BBC.
“We played a good game, the large majority of it. When we went 1-0 up we seemed to try and hold on, which at this level is not enough.
“So, just gutted because we’ve worked so hard to be here and the lads have given every last bit of running, blood, sweat, tears.
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“After the goal, whether it was them putting more men forward or us not being able to match them man for man, it was just wave after wave.
“Lads were putting blocks in but, in the end, it just wasn’t enough. When we went ahead the messaging was to go again and get another goal.
“Then once they scored their two goals it was to try and find something but we couldn’t quite get the momentum back in the game.”
1 Comment
The cup refused to come home.
It was so close. Just 5 mins away from the final, and England did what England does. They managed to bottle it. In spectacular fashion.
The substitutions! Tuchel took out forwards and brought in defenders. At a point, England had 6 defenders on the pitch. They surrendered the control of the game to the Argies, which is never a good idea. Tuchel’s tactics were way too negative.
How is it that short Argie players like Mac Allister, Lisandro Martinez and others were winning headers in the England box against 6 foot plus tall English defenders? Even the winning goal by Martinez was a header, and he got that surrounded by tall English defenders. But the cross that found Martinez in the box for the winning goal? That was from Messi’s right foot.
That right there is the benefit of being two footed. Messi, a natural left footer, provided a cross with his right foot, and voila! Argies are playing another world cup final.
A braver, more positive England would have beaten the Argies. The Argies are good, but not that special. They’ve obviously benefited immensely from Messi’s presence. Even at 39 yrs of age, Messi is still someone you have to give special attention, because he can decide games. If he’s not scoring, he’s making assists. Some managers would have assigned a player to follow Messi around and ensure he’s kept quiet. England had a guy like Mainoo on the bench who could have helped shore up the midfield, but he was not used.
While England were cowardly and negative, kudos must go to the Argies for their positive and front foot play. They took the game to England. Enzo Fernandes was trying shots from distance, and one of those shots flew in. Mac Allister and Pigford were in a personal contest, and the English goalie had to produce some fine saves to keep Mac Allister off the score sheet.
The big lesson? Never play defensive against this Argie team. If you give them control of the game, they will hurt you. To beat them, you have to keep Messi quiet, and you have to keep the ball. Control the game. Spain are quite capable of checking all these boxes.
19 yrs ago, Messi held a baby (Lamine Yamal) in his arms. Now, he faces the man that baby has become in a world cup final.
It promises to be a riveting contest.