England fans were left crestfallen after the national team's semi-final defeat to Argentina, dashing their World Cup hopes. The match, held on Wednesday, saw England leading by a goal before Argentina staged a late comeback to win 2-1. Fans nationwide, who had been expectantly glued to their TV screens, were despondent following the loss.
Sean Bannon, 33, expressed his disappointment outside a north London pub, saying, "I wanted to hope, but hope, it's fleeting in the end." He added, "There's a bit of bitterness there, but we've seen (defeat) before, so you know to expect it... Back to square one, I suppose."
The defeat means England missed the chance to avenge their 2024 European Championship loss to Spain, who will now face Argentina in the World Cup final. It also marks another missed opportunity for England to win its second World Cup, following the 1966 victory.
Fans have been singing The Beatles' "Hey Jude" and the "Three Lions" anthem throughout the tournament, but fell silent after the game. Younger fans experienced their first match against Argentina since the 2002 World Cup, where England won 1-0.
The match was historically charged, with references to Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal in 1986 and the Falkland Islands dispute. Argentina fans gathered in south London to celebrate their team's victory, while England fans in Camden Town expressed their disappointment and frustration.
