16/07/2026
Tuchel fails in England mission
England's years of hurt will now stretch beyond 60, but the late collapse to a World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina may just be the most painful wound of all.
The clock inside the magnificent Atlanta Stadium showed England were five minutes of normal time away from ending the wait for a men's World Cup final that stretches back to 1966, when they lifted the Jules Rimet trophy at Wembley.
England's players and head coach Thomas Tuchel had immortality in their hands as they led through Anthony Gordon's 55th-minute goal.
Their grasp, however, was being loosened by catastrophic decision making from Tuchel that instigated wave after wave of Argentina attacks orchestrated by Lionel Messi.
One goal seemed inevitable - and it came from Enzo Fernandez in the 85th minute.
Then, with England on the ropes, they were floored by Lautaro Martinez's injury-time header.
England could not come back, so a stunned football nation wakes up to another desperate near-miss from this nearly team.
