The developments before the match are very different from previous defeats, but the outcome is still familiar. Another major tournament closed in regret when England stopped in the World Cup semi-finals for the second time in the last three tournaments.
The atmosphere before kick-off was filled with optimism. The victory over Mexico has added strong faith to both players and fans that the "Three Lions" are brave and qualified to conquer the peak.
If reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup brings many surprises, this year's journey is highly anticipated. After overcoming the DRC, Mexico and Norway, Thomas Tuchel's team shows that they are capable of competing fairly with the world's top teams.
That belief is not without basis. In more than an hour of competition in Atlanta, England controlled Argentina's strength very well and even took the lead thanks to Anthony Gordon's goal.
In the first 60 minutes, the "Three Lions" played slightly better than the opponent and moved very close to the ticket to the final. However, a familiar turning point appeared again. England proactively retreated deep to protect the achievement, unintentionally giving the game to Argentina. That was a risky choice when on the other side of the battle line there was Lionel Messi, a player who always knew how to make a difference in decisive moments. Anyone who has witnessed the EURO 2020 final against Italy must have a feeling that history is repeating itself.
The rest of the match took place exactly according to the scenario that England fans were worried about. Enzo Fernandez scored the equalizer with a shot from outside the penalty area before Lautaro Martinez headed in to seal the victory. Argentina qualified for the World Cup final for the second consecutive time, while England once again collapsed right at the threshold of glory.
This defeat will certainly be dissected for many days to come. Tuchel cannot avoid criticism when tactical adjustment decisions are said to contribute to the team losing the advantage. The future of the German strategist therefore also becomes a big question mark.
However, this could still be a valuable lesson for a young and potential team. England created one of the most memorable performances in many years with a victory over Mexico and made defending champion Argentina go through a difficult semi-final. The gap between the two teams was not large, and tactical choices at the decisive moment made the difference.
The disappointment will certainly continue, but England still has many grounds to look to the future. Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane continue to prove their leading roles, while many young faces leave a positive mark.
Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka, Elliot Anderson, Nico O'Reilly, Djed Spence and Morgan Rogers have not yet turned 25, but have played stably throughout the tournament and adapted well to Tuchel's tactical requirements. Besides, experienced players like Reece James and Declan Rice have also shown their class in the big arena.
In the end, England did not collapse due to lack of talent. Tactical decisions in the final stage of the match caused them to pay the price. However, the current squad still opens up many hopes for EURO 2028, a tournament where the "Three Lions" will play at home.
Another summer has closed with feelings of regret and the question "maybe next time". English fans have been waiting for a major title for 60 years and will have to continue to nurture hope for at least 2 more years. With the current generation of players, that belief is still well-founded.
