2026 — The Tournament Of A Lifetime

World Cup News

Argentina midfielder Leandro Parades says his side were playing "for our entire nation" after players celebrated the World Cup semi-final win against England with a banner in support of their country's claims to the Falkland Islands.

World Cup News

England are out of the World Cup after Argentina's dramatic comeback to beat them 2-1 in the semi-finals. Harry Kane and the team took the lead early in the second half in Atlanta, but could not hang on. As fans reel from the painful defeat, here are some tips for coping with the dashed hopes of a place in the final. Losing at football can cause more of a sting than in other sports, says Dr Martha Newson from the University of Greenwich. "Few people are going to cry and get upset about whoever loses Wimbledon," explains the behavioural scientist. "Football is different… we talk about the national team like it's us out there." For supporter Oli Portlock, an England loss feels like a "national funeral… a big grey cloud over the nation when England's been knocked out". The 27-year-old recalls the "absolute heartbreak" of England's defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley. "It certainly ruined the next week in work for me." Recognising the feeling of pain is an important step, says Dr David Crepaz-Keay from the Mental Health Foundation. But don't get too worried, he says, because the emotional dip "typically fades within a couple of hours". So if you feel like you are wallowing in misery, ride it out and tell yourself it's just part of the process. "For me, it's probably trying to reflect on all the great memories I've created throughout the tournament," says Oli, who followed England from his hometown of Preston to the US. Disappointed fans might lift their spirits by rewatching Harry Kane bring England back from the brink against DR Congo, or Jude Bellingham score twice in 98 seconds against Mexico to help clinch a spot in the quarter-finals. Or it might be memories of staying up that extra hour after severe storms prompted a 02:00 BST kick-off, or crowding into packed pubs during a record-breaking heatwave to catch the earlier games. Oli suggests listening to music that reminds you of the successes - Wonderwall for this year or Sweet Caroline for Euro 2020 - rather than focusing on the disappointment. England fan Jayne Howells, 54, agrees, and cautions against trying to find mistakes or ascribe blame in anger. "A lot of these players… they're going to be gutted as well. It's not about knocking them down, but saying they actually did really well. That's how you make a stronger team." Crepaz-Keay advises fans to "see the funny side where you can" and remember "the things that went well". 'The perfect football song': Why England fans and players love Wonderwall Instead, both he and Newson say sharing your disappointment is one of the best ways to get over the hurt. The best thing to dissipate that frustration, Crepaz-Keay says, is to "talk about it, rant about it" and get through it quickly, in the right way, with the right people. Supporter Oli agrees, saying "talking with mates down the pub" helps you to remember you're "on the same page" with the sting. "It does evoke disappointment," he admits, but it helps to "get it out of your system". If you find yourself reaching for the crisps or cookies, it is not all down to a lack of willpower. "We do find that fans consume more calories after a loss," Newson says, probably due to an unconscious "evolutionary" desire to protect yourself after losing. Everyone has different ways of coping, she says, but the important thing is to "trust your instincts" - and being with others, resting, and opening up tend to be the best options. "Getting outside and being active will help," advises Crepaz-Keay, even if that means walking and singing on your way home from a match to expend some energy. For Andy Taylor, 38, who followed England to both New York and Boston, getting back to his normal routine is what helps. He says it is the "day-to-day bits" - like walking the dog and going for a run, as well as reflecting on the positives - that help to boost his mood. His first tournament - Euro 1996, where Germany dashed England's hopes in a tense semi-final - was "devastating", but he could always look forward to another game. "England football will always be there," says Andy. "Even if we don't win, I've got amazing memories to cling to. We were there and I'll never get over that."

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Mark Chapman, Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart and Micah Richards why England seem unable to control big games, unlike World Cup finalists Spain.

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Journalist Tim Vickery says Thomas Tuchel's substitutions were to blame for England's defeat by Argentina.

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Argentina substitute Valentin Barco ran onto the pitch and celebrated in the faces of England players after Enzo Fernandez scored the equaliser in the second World Cup semi-final.

World Cup News

Supporters who gathered in pubs, fan parks and homes across the South East said they had hoped this would be the year football finally came home. Sean Lombard, landlord of the Red Lion pub in Rusthall, Kent, turned his jazz bar into a watch party for customers. He said it had been a night of "shouts and screams, happiness and tears", but England were just "unlucky". He said: "It's been a good tournament for England." Matt Richards, who watched the game in Rusthall, said he was proud of the team. "I think we went a little bit too defensive, but as a whole, the boys throughout the whole tournament did enough," he said. "It's always sad to go out." "We are knocking at the door," he said. "I think we need that English spirit, that English fight going forward in the next competition, in order to win." At a fan park in Brighton, Elaine Connolly said the atmosphere was "amazing" after England scored first. But after the defeat, she felt the same as "everyone else in the UK, absolutely gutted". "It's been tough, it's a bitter pill to swallow," she said. "We've been here before, we get this far and it just kind of shuts down." Simon Cook and Terry Baker turned up believing England were going to win, but after watching the team defend a 1-0 lead before Argentina went on to score two late goals, they asked: "Why didn't we just attack?" Jamie Power, 19, at the Woking FC fan zone in Surrey, said he was "gutted" by the result. Like so many across the country, he wanted to experience what fans enjoyed when England won the World Cup final at Wembley 60 years ago. "As a young teenager, I wanted to live the life of what the 1966 people lived up to. Every year, we've got so close," he said. But he added: "You have to be fair to Argentina, they've played brilliantly. We need to learn from this." Another supporter watching the match at Woking, Ell Guidera, joked that the defeat would stay with him for some time. Laughing, he said: "For the rest of July and August, don't talk to me." He said he expected to recover when the football season started again. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook , external , X , external , and on Instagram , external and listen to BBC Radio Surrey on Sounds . Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk , external or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Why England's loss to Argentina felt like most painful in 60 years of hurt SportPublished8 hours ago'Passive' and 'crumbled' - did Tuchel's defensive tactics cost England? SportPublished2 hours agoArgentina shatter England's World Cup dreams in semi-final SportPublished11 hours agoRelated internet linksFIFA World Cup 2026

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Thousands of Argentina fans celebrated in the streets of Buenos Aires after reaching back-to-back World Cup finals with a 2-1 win against England.

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Fans react to England's 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals.

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England defender Dan Burn said he thought England were going to win the World Cup following their 2-1 semi-final exit to Argentina.

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Argentina players celebrated while holding a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas", which translates as "The Falklands are Argentine".

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Families gathered at Brantham Leisure Centre in Suffolk say they are "gutted" by the result.

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England fans have described their heartbreak after the Three Lions slipped to defeat in the World Cup semi final. Two late goals by holders Argentina saw Thomas Tuchel's side lose 2-1 in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday. Families who gathered at Brantham Leisure Centre in Suffolk to watch the action said they were "gutted" by the result. "It's the usual, I'm afraid. Sit back and they lose," said Clive Gore, 72, who watched the game with his son, Andy. Edie, who was among the children granted a late night, said: "I'm just devastated. "We were doing so well, then we just have to slip up in defence in the last couple of minutes." Amelia and Imogen both said they were inspired by England's progress in the US-hosted tournament. "It's sad, but they made it really far though," Imogen said. Amelia, who plays football locally with her friend, added: "I'm a bit disappointed, but they tried their best and that's all you can ask for." England were on course for their first men's World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon's 55th minute goal sparked jubilant scenes in Brantham and across the nation. However, goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez, who struck in injury time, ended the Three Lions' World Cup dream. "It's heartbreaking. I've been looking forward to it all year," one fan said. "We've done so well. New team, new manager, [it] just didn't come home in the end, but we're still supporting." Eleven-year-old Taylor, who watched with his friend Stanley, said despite the result, it was still a great night. He added: "A very fun experience to have, the joy, the fun, but the unlucky joy of not winning." Do you have a story suggestion for Suffolk? Contact us below. Contact formContact form Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds , Facebook , external , Instagram , external and X , external . England suffer World Cup semi-final heartbreak with loss to Argentina SportThe family rooting for England and Argentina 🎧 The Blue Hour - Young gives his thoughts on England