Fans gathered at venues across the area to watch the Three Lions take on their South American rivals in the semi-final match
England’s quest to bring it home was brought to a heartbreaking end by Argentina tonight as the reigning champions secured a 2-1 victory over the Three Lions in Atlanta.
Sadly a Gordon goal wasn’t enough and the second half saw Argentina come back fighting after a scrappy first 45 minutes. Two late goals from Fernandez and Martinez sealed our fate.
The question on everyone’s lips heading into Wednesday evening: Could England stop Lionel Messi guiding the reigning champions Argentina to another World Cup final?
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The football star has been on serious form so far, scoring eight times and setting up two goals on the way to the semi final.
But heading into the blockbuster clash, England manager Thomas Tuchel confessed that while he was “nervous” to face the Argentinians he didn’t “feel the burden” of leading the Three Lions into their fourth World Cup Semi Final.
That confidence was shared by fans up and down the country including thousands who packed out Manchester’s Freight Island and Depot Mayfield to watch the two nations go head to head. “Jude is the man,” confessed England fan Amy ahead of the match.
“In fact I wish he was my man,” she joked to friends Steph and Eb who had joined her, and thousands others in attendance on Wednesday night. All three agreed though, England’s success was “bringing the country together”.
The atmosphere at Castlefield Bowl meanwhile was energetic from the start with Josh Baker setting the mood with a set that saw people dancing, singing and reared up ready for kick-off.
Before the game, there was no shortage of confidence among England fans. Many believed the Three Lions had what it would take to reach the final, despite expecting a tough contest.
“I feel like I have to be hopeful, it’s alright, we have Dan Burn,” said Eve, 25. She predicted a 2-1 England win, adding: “Quite confident, I think we will win, but it’s supposed to be hard. I think you have to believe they will win it.”
Sienna Gordon, 20, was equally upbeat. “Super confident with the crowd and the atmosphere, and a sunny day always helps. I feel like we are going to win,” she said. Predicting a 2-1 England victory, she added: “100% think we are going to bring it home, in it to win, up the lads!”
Others shared the same optimism. Theo, 27, predicted a 2-1 England win, saying: “I think we will win, I really think we will. I think Jude will get one and Kane.”
It’s a sentiment that was shared by friends Louis, Kian, Ben and Will at Depot too, all of whom predicted an England victory, albeit with different score cards. Their confidence in the Three Lions boss was palpable too, as they declared Tuchel to be better than Southgate, who they said was simply “just vibes”.
If Southgate was pure vibes, Tuchel was pure anger and frustration during a scrappy first half that was more messy than Messi. The referee, unable to get a hold of the first 45 minutes, allowed a battle to ensue as tempers frayed on both sides, even resulting in a yellow card for Elliot Anderson.
Half time done and dusted, Morgan Rogers served up a brilliant ball allowing Anthony Gordon to finish it off and send us 1-0 up.
The crowds at Depot Mayfield and Castlefield Bowl erupted, could it actually be coming home? England just needed to dig deep, and that they did – but never underestimate the quality and persistence of an Argentinian football team.
Striking saves from Pickford weren’t enough and sadly, as the game progressed, England sat back, giving Argentina the upper hand they had been waiting for.
In the space of just seven minutes England’s hopes of heading to the World Cup final were dashed as Fernandez equalised with a strike from the penalty area in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martínez finished it off with a header.
Heads in their hands, fans at both Mayfield Depot and Castlefield Bowl couldn’t help but scream at the screens, as hope turned to despair. Devastated, despondent and unable to grapple with the scenes playing out in front of them, as the final whistle blew we knew we had to accept at least four more years of hurt.
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