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London [यूके]July 16 (ANI): Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday (local time) expressed pride in England's performance despite their 2-1 defeat against Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals. He said the team gave the country 'many opportunities to be happy' during the tournament.

In a post on social media platform X, Sunak praised the players' efforts and thanked them for their campaign. Sunak wrote: "Proud of this team. The result wasn't in our favor tonight, but they've given the whole country plenty to celebrate this summer. Thank you England, and keep your heads held high."

London Mayor Sadiq Khan also reacted to England's semi-final defeat. While expressing his disappointment, he praised the team's performance and the support shown by the fans. Khan said in a post on

Argentina turned the match in the last minutes

England's World Cup campaign came to an end after a hard-fought semi-final against Argentina, with La Albiceleste winning 2–1 to book their place in the final. The defending champions came back from behind to beat the Three Lions 2–1 in a dramatic semi-final. He made it to the final for the seventh time by scoring two goals in the last minutes of the game.

The three-time world champions will now face Spain in the final, which will be played at the New York-New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19 (local time).

The first half of the second semi-final was an intense and tight contest, with both teams struggling for control in midfield. England looked dangerous from set-pieces, while Argentina also threatened on a few occasions, but neither team could score before halftime. The match also saw several players engage in physical altercations with their opponents, with England's Elliott Anderson and Argentina's Lisandro Martínez and Cristian Romero receiving yellow cards for their actions.

England had taken the lead

England took the lead in the 55th minute when winger Anthony Gordon headed home a beautiful cross from the right side from Morgan Rogers. Gordon gave his team the lead by reaching the far post and beating goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.

After the goal, England adopted a more defensive approach and manager Thomas Tuchel introduced Ezri Konsa to strengthen the defence. Argentina increased pressure in response. England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford saved a brilliant shot from Nicolas Gonzalez before Alexis McAllister's shot hit the post as the defending champions looked for an equaliser.

Argentine counterattack and victory

Argentina's hard work finally paid off in the 85th minute when Enzo Fernandez reacted quickest to Lionel Messi's pass from just outside the penalty area and fired past Pickford to his right to level the score.

With the lead, Argentina completed the comeback in the 90+2nd minute of stoppage time. Lionel Messi raced past England's Jade Spence on the right and delivered a precise cross past Pickford to the back post, where an unmarked Lautaro Martínez fired a header into the empty net.

England pushed for an equalizer in the dying moments, but Argentina held on to their lead in the remaining stoppage time and secured a memorable victory.

With this defeat, England's hopes of reaching their first World Cup final since 1966 tragically ended. Tuchel's team will now face France in the third-place final on Saturday. (ANI)