Argentina defeated England 2-1 in a tense World Cup semifinal, securing a spot in the final against Spain.
Anthony Gordon opened the scoring for England from a Morgan Rogers cross, but Argentina fought back in the second half to claim victory.
The loss extended England's history of major tournament exits, sending them to a bronze-medal match against France.
Tuchel Reflects on Defeat
England head coach Thomas Tuchel dismissed the idea of a curse, noting that the team's struggles have occurred across different eras and lineups.
"It’s repeating itself in different moments. It’s different coaches, different players, different situations," Tuchel said.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni praised his team's aggressive approach in the final stages. "There was blood in the water and we went for it," he said.
After the match, Argentine players displayed a banner regarding the Falkland Islands, drawing a response from the British Prime Minister's office.
"The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are," a spokesperson for Keir Starmer said, adding that potential action is a matter for FIFA.
Argentina defender Lisandro Martínez defended the banner as a tribute to national veterans. "I can picture a Malvinas veteran seeing that and weeping," he said.
The tournament continues with Spain facing Argentina in the final after three days of preparation.
