England missed out on their first World Cup final since 1966 after a stunning late turnaround from rivals Argentina saw the holders earn a 2-1 victory thanks to Lautaro Martinez’s stoppage-time winner.
The Three Lions were leading 1-0 with five minutes of normal time remaining in Atlanta through Anthony Gordon’s early second-half opener.
But two goals in the space of seven minutes saw a remarkable comeback from Argentina as Enzo Fernandez levelled with a wonderful 85th-minute strike from distance before substitute Martinez headed in a 92nd-minute winner.
England fans react to their side’s World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina
Argentina’s turnaround came after England boss Thomas Tuchel made a number of defensive substitutions as England looked to hold on to their lead.
But following the changes, Argentina took firm control of the game and deservedly came back, with Lionel Messi playing a huge influence as he assisted both goals, producing a fine cross for Martinez’s winner.
Lionel Scaloni’s side will now face Spain in Sunday’s final in New Jersey, while England will take on France in the third-place play-off on Saturday in Miami.
Having lost back-to-back European Championship finals, it was another case of so close, yet so far for England as Tuchel’s in-game changes saw England average just 12 per cent possession after Gordon’s opener until Martinez’s winner.
Tuchel insisted he had “no regrets” over his tactical decisions as he told BBC Sport of his substitutions: “We decided to go to a back five because there were too many gaps and they were far too open. We did it to close the gaps inside and be stronger in the air.
“We were so close, but we got too passive after we scored.”
England captain Harry Kane admitted the changes backfired as he told BBC Sport: “Once we went 1-0 up we seemed to just try and hold on, which at this level is just not enough, so I’m gutted.”
Merson: Tuchel did the same as Southgate
Paul Merson on Sky Sports News:
“I’m really lost for words. Gareth [Southgate] took a lot of stick for being defensive – and I thought he did well – and Tuchel has come in and done the same as Gareth.
Paul Merson says he’s devastated at England’s loss to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final
“I understand it in the Mexico game [last-16 win] when we are down to 10 men, and we are going to be under the cosh, but here we had to throw something different at them. We’ve got to learn from it and look forward to the Euros.
“I understand Gareth being a defensive coach; he was a defender, so naturally he is going to be defensive. But I didn’t think that about Tuchel and I thought he would throw something different at Argentina and put the pressure on them.
“But all it was was, ‘we are going to defend here’, and when they did score we had a lorry load of defenders on the pitch.”
‘Tuchel got it wrong’
Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett in Atlanta:
“It feels overridingly that Tuchel got that wrong. The man who the FA employed because of his brilliant tactical nous in knockout games has to hold his hands up.
“England scored and had the upper hand, and Tuchel immediately shifted to try to hold what they had.
Lionel Messi (left) is congratulated by Harry Kane at full-time
“Sitting deep for more than half an hour with stoppage time to go shifted all the momentum to Argentina. There were warning signs aplenty before they scored the equaliser, and more before the winner. Argentina could have scored more, hitting the post twice in a mad last quarter of the game.
“England can have no complaints. The better side won. But there’s an awful feeling that this was to a large degree self-inflicted.”
A damning indictment of Tuchel’s changes
Sky Sports’ Ron Walker:
“Did England need to go so deep so early? It’s easy to say in hindsight, but the outcome of Tuchel’s decision to switch to a back five with 71 minutes gone was as painful to watch as it must have been to play in.
“They didn’t just surrender territory, they gave up almost 93 per cent of the ball in the 21 minutes between switching to a back five and conceding the winner.
“Ultimately, the Three Lions didn’t manage a single touch in the opposition box after scoring – but when England fell back on their natural inclination to sit back, Tuchel’s changes only compounded their problems.
“In a 5-4-1, England didn’t have an out ball. Just seven passes in the opposition half and only a single touch in the final third after Ezri Konsa’s introduction and Argentina’s second goal.
“That classic English anxiousness, and Tuchel’s unhelpful gamble, invited the reigning World Cup holders and the greatest player of all time onto them. His two assists, and Argentina’s two well-deserved goals, were the perfect punishment.”
The key moments from Atlanta…
Elliot Anderson shows his disappointment at England’s loss
3: FLASHPOINT! Fernandez catches Anderson, which leads to both sets of players pushing and shoving.
33: FIRST SHOT! Stones heads wide from Rice’s free-kick for the first attempt of the game.
HALF TIME! Nineteen fouls, two yellow cards and no shots on target.
47: FIRST SHOT ON TARGET! Alvarez tests Pickford at his near post.
55: GOAL! England take the lead through Gordon’s back-post finish from Rogers’ superb cross.
69: PICKFORD SAVES! Pickford gets down to one-handedly push away Nico Gonzalez’s flicked header from Messi’s cross.
76: ARGENTINA HIT THE POST! Mac Allister heads De Paul’s brilliant cross onto the post with Pickford rooted to the spot.
85: GOAL! Fernandez fires in a stunning leveller from distance after huge Argentina pressure.
90+2: GOAL! Argentina complete the turnaround as Lautaro Martinez heads in.
Player ratings…
Your views…
LV: “Another manager went ultra conservative way too soon, and we were punished for it. Same as the Croatia game, same as the Italy game.”
Tyler: “Well done, Thomas. You gave the game to Argentina with your awful tactics. Allowed Messi and co to play in England’s half. Really poor from the manager.”
James Wilson: “Exactly how we are under Southgate, nothing has changed. Score first and sit back and invite the pressure, it hasn’t worked for the last decade. Why did Tuchel think it would work tonight?”
Holt: “Tuchel got that so wrong.”
Dancuzo: “Tuchel is the reason we are out. Poor decision-making after going 1-0 up, such negative play; couldn’t believe a ‘top’ coach would have that mentality. Pathetic. Haven’t played well in any game this World Cup. Blagged our way to the semis.”
Craigyboy79: “Thomas Tuchel lost that game for England – playing with six defenders to try and see the game out with over 30 mins to play is the worst game management I’ve seen. Terrible, terrible decisions.”
Jacob Sharratt: “Tuchel should be ashamed of himself. How can we be on the front foot for 70 minutes to sit back with six defenders!”
Neil B: “We were in control. They could not handle our pressing. Then we scored and we stopped. This is on Tuchel.”
Dan Staples: “Arguably the worst tactical decision made from a 1-0 lead I have ever seen. Lost momentum completely, allowed them to hammer our back line. Just woeful tactics from Tuchel. Trusted him up until this point.”
