England's 2026 World Cup heartbreak: HRH Prince William, Lionel Messi react to semi-final drama as Thomas Tuchel criticised for tactics

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It is a familiar feeling for England fans after coming so close, yet so far in another major tournament, having lost 2-1 to Argentina in the semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday in Atlanta.

Tuchel: I am responsible for the decisions and I take the criticism

Video credit: SNTV

The Three Lions had taken the lead through Anthony Gordon in the 55th minute, but sat back and were eventually punished by the defending champions.

First, Enzo Fernandez levelled the scores from outside the box, and then an inch-perfect cross from Lionel Messi allowed Lautaro Martinez to head home a 92nd-minute winner.

It was another late-game capitulation from England in a crucial game at crunch time, having experienced similar emotions at previous World Cup and UEFA European Championship tournaments.

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In his on-pitch interview in the immediate aftermath, captain Harry Kane said England must find the "missing piece" they have lacked "for the last four, five tournaments", while Messi - after putting in another performance which highlighted his greatness - praised the mentality of his side.

"It's crazy what this group has just achieved once again, reaching a World Cup final," the 39-year-old said in the mixed zone. "We come from being world champions. We have been the best over the last four years.

"No matter who it hurts or what they say, today once again we place ourselves among the two best in the world, and that shows that everything we did is not by chance and that no one gave us anything. Reaching two world finals in a row is no small feat, and this group achieved it."

Messi added: "I've never doubted, and I knew that at the very least, we would be among the final four.

"And that this group, when they come together, brings out something special from where they don't have it, and the pain goes away, and they get in good physical shape, and they play like they did today and never stop trying."

Messi: It's crazy what this group has achieved

Video credit: SNTV

'Fear of failure'

After a grizzly first-half full of fouls, tense confrontations and few chances, Gordon's opener gave England the perfect platform to book their spot in their first World Cup final since 1966.

But a shift in mentality and defensive substitutions from manager Thomas Tuchel changed the flow of the game as Argentina piled on the pressure.

And eventually it told through Fernandez and Martinez's late goals, meaning Argentina will face Spain in Sunday's final in New Jersey.

TNT Sports expert Joe Cole said England's woes at the latter stages of tournaments come down to a "fear of failure" in the team's psyche.

"It was deflating, wasn't it? We've been here before," Cole said on 'The Rest is Football'. "I think it's the same problems.

"I think it's a case of, whoever takes England on and gets it done, you have to get over the hurdle of fear of failure. It just paralyses England teams. 12% possession after we scored the goal, and that just tells you that it’s a mindset thing.

"We could talk about tactics, we could talk about substitutions. It comes from the manager, ultimately, and too many times there's a panic that sets in when we're nearly there and we've got it, and we just trip up on our own feet. And it's just heartbreaking."

Tuchel defended his own tactical decisions after the defeat, while former England international Gary Neville disagreed.

"England will never have a better chance to reach a final than that," Neville said on 'Stick to Football'. "They were five minutes plus stoppage time away from the final.

"They got too narrow and too deep. It was very similar to the Euros final against Italy. It's about mentality and belief for England, and a bit of quality to keep the ball."

England players after the defeat to Argentina.

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Wednesday's defeat was England's third semi-final defeat at a World Cup as they attempt to return to the glories of 1966.

The Three Lions had made their way to the final four of this summer's tournament in North America with some famous rearguard displays, most notably against Mexico in the last 16.

But TNT Sports expert Ally McCoist said the scenario presented to Tuchel on Wednesday was different from the one at the Azteca Stadium.

"In the Mexico game, [after Jarell Quansah's red card] I think it's understandable, or it's more acceptable [to sit back]," McCoist said on 'The Rest is Football'. "I think Tuchel is a clever man and a good coach, but I think he got it wrong.

"The substitutions that he made do one thing: invite the opposition onto you. And because you're defending so deep, you can't get out. Harry Kane is brilliant, but he's not a counter-attack centre forward who can spin over the top.

"During the game I said the substitution I would have probably made is to put [Marcus] Rashford through the middle and take Kane off, because he can get you in behind, he can get you up the pitch, because defensively, you're just inviting them on to you."

'We smell blood'

For Argentina, they now face Spain with a chance to become just the third team, after Brazil and Italy, to win back-to-back World Cup titles.

Manager Lionel Scaloni masterminded Argentina's victory in Qatar four years ago, and with a largely similar group of players, got them back to the same stage once again this summer.

After his side's victory over England, Scaloni said his side sensed an opportunity after falling behind.

"This team plays best when facing adversity," he explained. "The opponent hesitates a bit, we smell blood, and we go for it. That's the feeling I'm left with."

He added: "We are truly unique, and that's not arrogance. From the bottom of my heart, these players led us to victory. I'm lost for words. A joy for our country, for our people."

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