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By LEWIS BROWNING, SPORTS REPORTER

Published: 22:06 BST, 15 July 2026 | Updated: 00:13 BST, 16 July 2026

Wayne Rooney led the criticism of Thomas Tuchel‘s substitutions in England‘s World Cup semi-final defeat after the Three Lions collapsed against Argentina.

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England had taken the lead in the 56th minute through Anthony Gordon, but opted to try and hold on to their advantage rather than add to it.

Tuchel went to a back five that served him so well in the last-16 win over Mexico, with Ezri Konsa coming on for the goal scorer in the 72nd minute to join Reece James, John Stones, Marc Guehi and Djed Spence.

They found themselves on the defensive, and Dan Burn was later introduced too when Reece James left the field injured.

England were then heavily under the cosh, and Enzo Fernandez and then Lautaro Martinez scored to break English hearts once again.

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Speaking after the game, an emotional Rooney suggested England were unable to deal with the pressure of going ahead in the game. 

Wayne Rooney admitted Thomas Tuchel’s tactics backfired as England were dumped out of the World Cup

Rooney blamed England’s defeat on the manager’s decision to go defensive early doors

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‘We got ourselves in such a good position and we didn’t know what to do,’ he said on BBC. ‘We sat back, allowed them to come on to us. They put us under pressure and we cracked. As soon as they got the first goal, it was inevitable they’d get the second.

‘When you go on top, you have to stay on top. We go 1-0 up, then sit back, make changes, go five or six at the back. If you allow (Lionel) Messi and Argentina to come onto you, you’re asking for trouble.’

He later added: ‘When we had the ball, we had no outlet. We kept kicking it long.

‘When Tuchel made those changes, the players on the pitch would’ve been thinking, “oh no”. They’d have known what was coming. They would’ve needed a massive amount of luck to see the game out.’

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England had enjoyed success with a defensive set-up against Mexico when they went down to ten men, but faced a tougher task against the world champions.

The likes of Messi were able to get more control of the game, and England suffered the consequences.

Former Three Lions goalkeeper Joe Hart added: ‘They went back to what they did against Mexico and Norway and locked the door. but that freed up Lionel Messi and he absolutely ran the show for the last 15 minutes.

‘As soon as that first goal was scored, and England had made the changes they’d made, it was only going to go one way.’

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Tuchel made defensive changes when the Three Lions were ahead, with his side losing 2-1

Alan Shearer agreed that Tuchel’s changes cost his side in the game, with England struggling to create chances even after they went behind.

The Three Lions will now face France in a third-place play-off on Saturday. 

‘What has worked so many times throughout this tournament, the manager’s decisions and going to that back five, it’s backfired in the last 10 or 15 minutes. It’s been backs to the wall, they’ve not been able to get out at all. They’ve been punished.’

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England captain Harry Kane, meanwhile, said after full-time that ‘trying to hold on’ is ‘not enough at this level’.

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Before the last-four tie, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni had said he was “not going to mix” football and politics.

“The reality is that this is a football match. I can’t mix things up, especially out of respect for what happened so many years ago,” Scaloni had said.

“It was a very sad period in our history, and there isn’t much we can do about it, that’s the reality.

“Things are happening elsewhere in the world, and we criticise the existence of war. We certainly remember those people, of course. But it is a football match – we shouldn’t confuse the two.”

Argentina vice-president Victoria Villarruel, however, cited a chant which the players sang following their dramatic 3-2 win over Egypt in the last 16 which referenced the Falklands and Argentina greats Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.

“This is not just another match. I’m not going to be politically correct – against the English, it’s always something more,” wrote Villarruel in a post on X., external

“It’s the Malvinas, it’s Diego, it’s Leo’s last one, and it’s about putting the invaders in their place.

“Long live Argentina! Because until our very last breath, we will reclaim what is ours!”

The semi-final, which England lost to late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez, was held under increased security measures because of the historical tensions between the two nations.

Dwayne Ashley Grimes appeared at a Durham Crown Court plea hearing, via video link from Holme House Prison, Stockton, where he is on remand.

He admitted a charge of burglary of a property in Scott Place, Newton Aycliffe, on June 13.

Car keys were stolen in the burglary as well as the keys to an e-scooter and its charging system.

The defendant also admitted a charge of aggravated vehicle taking, in being a passenger in a Volvo car taken without consent which was involved in an accident, causing damage to a Seat car.

As Grimes is now a third-strike burglar he falls to be sentenced to the mandatory three-year custodial starting point.

Ralf Xhepa, representing Grimes, asked for a background report to be prepared by the Probation Service prior to sentence being passed.

Mr Xhepa said this was due to the backdrop of serious tragedies which have befallen the defendant’s family in recent years, leading him into the misuse of crack cocaine, which escalated, contributing to the commission of the offences.

He added that the defendant had been seeking help for his mental health prior to being remanded in custody for the offences.

Agreeing to the request, Judge Richard Bennett told Mr Xhepa: “It’s a shame he didn’t indicate a guilty plea when he appeared at the lower court, so he could have been sentenced today, instead of stringing it out.”

Addressing the defendant, the judge told him: “You have pleaded guilty today to these two offences.

“I had intended to sentence you today, and would have, had you had the good sense to plead guilty at the lower court.

Read next … more court stories from The Northern Echo, by clicking here

“The fact I’m adjourning for the report shouldn’t give you any hope or expectation that you won’t receive anything other than the mandatory sentence for a third strike burglar.

“We’ll see you again next month, when you will now be sentenced.”

Judge Bennett remanded Grimes, of Whinlatter Place, Newton Aycliffe, to remain in custody pending the sentencing hearing on August 20.

Two firefighters were called to the scene off the B1257 near Helmsley on Wednesday (July 15).

The fire measured around 200m by 100m and was located from High Street to Rievaulx Bank, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said.

A service spokesperson said the fire had been extinguished by 3.30pm with crews leaving the scene.

“Crews are now leaving this incident, the fire is extinguished and advice has been shared with farmer,” they said at 3.30pm on Wednesday.

By ELIZABETH HAIGH, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER

Published: 23:13 BST, 15 July 2026 | Updated: 23:36 BST, 15 July 2026

There were clashes on the streets of Atlanta following England’s semi-final defeat to Argentina on Saturday night.

Fights broke out outside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia after the final whistle confirmed the Three Lions’ 2-1 defeat to Lionel Messi‘s side.

Police made multiple arrests as they stepped in to calm the situation, with pictures showing several England fans being detained by armed cops.

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Tensions had already flared inside the stadium after Argentina took a banner from fans which claimed the Falkland Islands belong to the South American nation.

The Falklands conflict had loomed large in the build-up to the semi-final tie, with rival chants about the war featuring in fan zones around the city.

After the match was over, tens of thousands of fans flooded out of the stadium to the surrounding streets, with some disputes boiling over into violence.

England fans branded the behaviour of Argentina’s supporters ‘absolutely disgusting’ and warned that things will ‘kick off, 100 per cent’. 

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Police officers intervene and speak to fans in Atlanta as they try to keep the peace following Argentina’s semi-final victory

Police officers detain an England fan outside the Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia

A fan in an England shirt is arrested by armed police following clashes after the Three Lions’ semi-final loss to Argentina

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Police officers detain an Argentina fan outside the Atlanta Stadium as tensions flared on the streets of the city

Fans are arrested in Atlanta by armed police looking to separate the two sides

A police officer breaks up an argument between Argentina and England fans outside the Atlanta stadium

Police in London escort an Argentinian fan away from England supporters following the final whistle

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In Bournemouth, police were seen speaking with England fans as they poured out of pubs after the game

American police officers with large guns were seen placing both England and Argentina fans in handcuffs.

One England fan told the Daily Mail: ‘Obviously [we] were upset about the game, walking out the stadium, minding our own business.

‘Some guy, Argentina fan, comes up waving his flag, shoves it in our face, winding us up. You know obviously someone’s going to retaliate, right? But luckily we didn’t retaliate but there’s a lot of animosity.

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‘When Argentina scored, an Argentinian guy next to me took his shirt off, waving it, slapping it in my face, absolutely disgusting.

‘Disgusting behaviour from the Argentinian fans, absolutely disgusting.

‘Tonight there’s not enough cops to police all of this. I’m telling you right now it’s going to kick off later in bars and stuff for sure, 100 per cent.’

Back in the UK, police forces are also bracing for possible unrest between rival groups of fans.

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In London, police were seen attempting to separate rival groups of fans to prevent fights breaking out. 

Thousands flocked into the streets of the city centre from nearby pubs and bars, with video footage showing carnage at famous landmarks such as Piccadilly Circus. 

Officers reportedly had to step in and rescue one Argentina fan from the area after he was mobbed by British supporters. 

This is a breaking news story and is being updated. 

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Plans lodged by Pure Cremation would see a mobile network switching centre in York Business Park, Nether Poppleton, converted into the company’s main mortuary for the North East.

The application lodged with York Council stated the facility would operate all day, every day to meet the needs of those who need their loved one’s remains collecting without delay.

Pure Cremation’s plans would see Unit 1 Hudson Court, in the business park’s Great North Way, converted with the addition of six cooling units so bodies can be stored there.

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Remains would be taken to the facility in body bags by private ambulances which would be able to transport up to four bodies at a time.

Plans stated there would be an estimated 10 inbound deliveries in 24 hours and six outbound during the working day.

After arriving in a welcome area, remains would then be taken to be checked and weighed before being placed in the correct coffin.

Coffins for the mortuary would be delivered once a fortnight.

Checks include seeing if they still have any jewellery, personal items or medical equipment such as pacemakers that need to be removed prior to cremations.

Bodies would then be stored for three to four days on racks five coffins high in cold storage and there would also be an on-site freezer and offices.

They would then be transported onto the company’s crematoriums in Hampshire or elsewhere including to other third party facilities.

Pure Cremation stated the York site would be its main mortuary in the North East (Image: Unsplash)

The facility would use the 24 parking spaces and one disabled bay already on the site for its staff.

It would not be open to the public and would be equipped with security measures including CCTV.

Up to 35 staff would be employed at the site, according to the application, which stated it would also support jobs in the wider regional funeral sector.

Plans stated the company’s operations at the site would be dignified, quiet and discreet – they would be visually low key in the corner of the business park.

The application stated: “The building is tucked away on the rear edge of the business park adjacent to the railway line and its use will not be obvious to other users or occupants.

“There is no outward manifestation of the use from the street.

“The use is a low key, discreet operation, with occasional light traffic coming and going to the site throughout the course of the day, apart from peak times
when even then the traffic flows are still modest.

“As the operations consist of the storage of the deceased with no other
processes carried on site, the use is not evident in any form, within the
building’s perimeter or from outside the site.

“As for the operations covering a 24-hour period, the comings and goings late
at night are unlikely to cause any disturbance.”

Argentinian players unfurled a banner reading ‘The Falklands are Argentinian’ after they knocked England out of the World Cup 2-1 in a nail-biting semi-final clash. 

Manchester United player Lisandro Martinez and former Spurs midfielder Giovani Lo Celso celebrated on the pitch with the sign after the final whistle blew – and they were joined by a number of fellow teammates. 

A total of 255 British servicemen and 907 people in total died in the 1982 Falklands War which saw UK armed forces retake the islands after an Argentinian invasion. 

The banner, which used the Argentinians’ native name for the Falklands – Las Malvinas – was also passed around the team’s jubilant crowd of supporters after the game. 

Argentina’s star player Lionel Messi and Cristian Romero, the Tottenham captain, were also seen dancing by the sign. 

FIFA had banned flags featuring the Falklands from the stadium due to their political significance and the incident is likely to be reported to footballing authorities.

Tension over the ownership of the islands, which are located 300 miles off the coast of Argentina, had been a major talking point in the build-up to the match.

Argentina’s players were captured singing a chant in which they claimed the Falkland Islands were theirs in the aftermath of their last-16 victory over Egypt.

The country’s Foreign Minister, Pablo Quirno, also claimed the people living on the islands had been ‘artificially implanted’ – and that a referendum on British sovereignty was illegitimate.

Argentina players hold up a banner with the words ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’ which translates to ‘The Malvinas are Argentine

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Argentina fans hold a banner with the words ‘The Malvinas are Argentinian’, referring to the Falkland Islands

Falklanders were asked in a 2013 ballot whether they wanted the islands to remain under British rule, with 99.8 per cent voting yes.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper rejected the referendum attack and tried to cool tensions.

The animosity dates back principally to a ten-week war in 1982, when an Argentinian invasion of the Falklands was seen off by the British – at the cost of 907 lives.

It spilled over into football four years later when Maradona scored his infamous ‘hand of God’ goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final clash.

He used his fist to put the opening goal past England, allowing Argentina to win 2-1 and go on to claim the World Cup trophy.

During tonight’s match, an impressive performance from the Three Lions at the start of the first half saw Antony Gordon put the side in front. 

But substitutions to send England into a defensive set-up would heartbreakingly backfire.

England were just less than six minutes away from their first World Cup final for 60 years when Enzo Fernandez scored the equaliser that denied them.

Captain Harry Kane comforts goal scorer Anthony Gordon after the final whistle following their 2-1 defeat to Argentina

The banner, which used the Argentinians native name for the Falklands – Las Malvinas – was also passed around the team’s jubilant crowd of supporters

Kane looks to the skies as Argentina celebrate on the final whistle in Atlanta, Georgia

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Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford sobs at the final whistle after England came within minutes of progressing to the World Cup final

This was followed two minutes into injury time by a header from Lautaro Martinez, who secured Argentina’s place in Sunday night’s final against Spain in New York.

It was England’s fourth-ever appearance in the final four of a World Cup, making this the most high-stakes match since 1966.

But in a story familiar to long-suffering fans, they just couldn’t keep ahead at the final whistle.

The royals were among those quick to congratulate the team for their impressive run to the semis, with King Charles III taking to social media and writing: ‘Commiserations to Harry and the team.

‘While you Three Lions may be licking your wounds today, you remain the pride of a nation – and will rise again.’

And outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to England’s ‘passion’ and ‘energy’.

Writing on X, he said: ‘Gutted. Tonight wasn’t the result we all hoped for, but this England team has given it their all.

‘The passion and energy they’ve shown representing the badge has made us all proud.’

North Yorkshire Council planning officers are recommending approval of the reserved matters application for the Vale of York MSA at Kirby Hill, near Boroughbridge.

The proposal for the Welcome Break services has generated significant local opposition, with Boroughbridge Town Council, Kirby Hill and Marton-le-Moor Parish Council, Langthorpe Parish Council, Skelton-cum-Newby Parish Council and Roecliffe and Westwick Parish Council all objecting.

Objectors argue the latest plans go far beyond what was approved at outline stage, claiming the scheme has become more visually intrusive through a higher motorway bridge, larger embankments, expanded landscaping and additional drainage lagoons east of the A1(M).

Parish councils have described the changes as materially increasing the scale and impact of the development and say a fresh planning application, supported by a new environmental impact assessment, should have been submitted.

Concerns have also been raised over the omission of green roofs, the safety of the B6265 access, the visual impact on nearby Kirby Hill, the effect on groundwater because of the site’s position above a principal aquifer, and whether the development remains necessary given other motorway service facilities that have since been approved or expanded elsewhere on the A1(M).

More than 70 members of the public also submitted objections, raising fears over increased traffic, noise, light pollution and landscape harm.

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However, planning officers concluded that the development remains broadly consistent with the outline permission and does not require a new environmental impact assessment.

They say a separate screening opinion found the changes are not so substantial that the existing environmental assessment can no longer be relied upon.

The report also rejects claims that green roofs have been removed, stating they remain part of the proposals, with wildflower roofs on the main amenity building and fuel station and sedum roofs on the drive-through coffee shop and HGV filling station.

Officers note that the bridge and eastern roundabout are higher than originally illustrated, but say the increases remain within the approved height parameters and were necessary to meet National Highways’ requirements for a single-span bridge capable of accommodating future vehicle heights.

They also point out that National Highways, the council’s highways authority, the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water and the council’s ecologist have all raised no objections, subject to conditions where appropriate.

The service area would provide parking for 364 cars, 90 HGVs, 18 coaches, caravans and motorcycles, together with fuel filling stations, a drive-through coffee shop and amenity building.

Outline planning permission was granted for the MSA in 2021 following a public inquiry after more than 20 years of legal wrangles.

The application will be discussed by North Yorkshire Council’s strategic planning committee on Tuesday next week (July 21).

The United States said it had launched fresh strikes against Iran on Wednesday evening as President Donald Trump warned Tehran it “better behave”.

The US military said “Iranian military capabilities used to threaten vessels” moving through the Strait of Hormuz had been targeted, and that it had separately fired on a ship attempting to violate its renewed blockade of Iran’s ports.

It came after Iran claimed it had struck US military targets in the region, including in Bahrain and Kuwait, as a fifth day of renewed hostilities strained their preliminary deal to end the war.

Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, meanwhile told state media Tehran had “no reason” to abide by the deal if it did benefit from it.

Trump had threatened late on Tuesday to attack bridges and power plants should Iran not return to talks next week.

Asked by reporters late on Wednesday whether he would give a deadline before doing so, he responded: “I ‌don’t like giving ​deadlines, but they pretty ⁠much know, they know ​the story… ​they ​better ​behave.”

He later told delegates at a defence summit that Iran was “not happy right now”.

“They want to settle so badly. They don’t like what we’re doing,” he said. “We’ll find out whether we want to settle with them or if we just finish it off.”

Ghalibaf however said Iran’s national security depended on Tehran maintaining “Iranian arrangements” in the strait.

He added that negotiation – along with war – was part of Iran’s strategy of resistance as it engaged an “existential” conflict with the US.