Kane gutted after England crash out

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

Kane gutted after England crash out

Atlanta: Harry Kane said he was "gutted" for England and their fans after his team were beaten 2-1 by defending champions Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals on Wednesday.

Anthony Gordon's strike had put the Three Lions on the cusp of a first final since they lifted the 1966 trophy but Lionel Messi inspired a dramatic turnaround in Atlanta.

He set up Enzo Fernandez, who blasted home from outside the area, and provided an inch-perfect cross for Lautaro Martinez's winner in stoppage time.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3184271

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3184273

Tuchel defends tactics after England's hopes dashed

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

Tuchel defends tactics after England's hopes dashed

Atlanta: England manager Thomas Tuchel defended his tactics after the Three Lions' FIFA World Cup 2026 dream ended in an agonising late defeat to Argentina on Wednesday.

England appeared poised to reach their first final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon fired them into the lead early in the second half in Atlanta.

But England then invited wave after wave of late pressure from the defending champions and goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez secured a famous 2-1 victory.

Martinez 'dreamt' of scoring winner

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

Martinez 'dreamt' of scoring winner

Atlanta: Argentina's FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final match-winner Lautaro Martinez said he had "dreamt" of scoring the goal which took his team through to the final at England's expense on Wednesday.

"I dreamt it. I told Alexis (Mac Allister) that I was going to score," Martinez said after his heroics off the bench in Atlanta as the reigning champions won the game 2-1. "And I said on the bench to Facundo Medina that I was going to come on and score."

Scaloni applauds indomitable Argentina

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

Scaloni applauds indomitable Argentina

Atlanta: Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni saluted his team's never-say-die mentality after another come-from-behind victory on Wednesday powered them past England into the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.

Scaloni said his team had scented victory as England sat back after taking a 1-0 lead in their semi-final in Atlanta and went for broke to secure a deserved 2-1 win.

S-final: Messi's Argentina stun England in comeback

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

S-final: Messi's Argentina stun England in comeback

Atlanta: Lautaro Martinez scored a 92nd minute winner as Lionel Messi inspired FIFA World Cup holders Argentina to a stunning comeback to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday and set up a final with European champions Spain.

England had been on course to reach their first FIFA World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon fired them into the lead 10 minutes after half-time in the semi-final in front of 68,239 fans in Atlanta.

But the great rivalry between these nations has produced several memorable contests on the FIFA World Cup stage down the years and this will be remembered as the stuff of legends in Argentina as the South Americans denied England with two late sucker punches.

Mbappe admits France were below par

Wed, 15 Jul, 2026

Mbappe admits France were below par

Arlington: Kylian Mbappe rued the end of France's FIFA World Cup 2026 dream on Tuesday, blaming tactical and technical blunders for his side's 2-0 semi-final defeat to Spain.

Mbappe had emerged as one of the stars of the tournament during France's run to the last four, rattling in eight goals at the tip of a free-scoring attack that delighted fans worldwide.

But the 27-year-old French captain's dreams of a third straight FIFA World Cup final appearance ended abruptly as Spain outplayed Les Bleus at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.