Soccer
England captain Harry Kane conceded that England were missing the “final piece” during their semi-final defeat to Argentina at the World Cup.
Argentina advanced to Sunday’s World Cup final with a comeback 2-1 victory over England at Atlanta Stadium, with Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez on target.
Following a cagey first half, Thomas Tuchel’s side took the lead in the 55th minute when Anthony Gordon swept Morgan Rogers’ teasing cross past Emiliano Martinez.
But Argentina cranked up the pressure after going a goal behind, with Jordan Pickford producing a stunning stop to deny Nico Gonzalez before Alexis Mac Allister hit the post.
England’s resistance was broken courtesy of Fernandez’s stunning 85th-minute finish, before Lautaro Martinez headed in Lionel Messi’s delivery in the second minute of stoppage time to seal a date with European champions Spain at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Kane believes England are closing in on ending their long wait for World Cup glory, but said his team just fell short of achieving that this time around.
“We had a lot of good moments at this tournament, a lot of good games and another semi-final,” Kane, who became England’s most capped outfield player on Wednesday, said.
“We talk about knocking on the door, we’re close, we just need to find that missing piece late in the tournament.
“These tournaments take it out of you with so much effort, pressure and mentality.
“We’ve shown that throughout the six or seven weeks we’ve been together, but we’re just missing that final piece.”
Our @FIFAWorldCup semi-final ends in defeat. pic.twitter.com/4kAn35O31o
— England (@England) July 15, 2026
Kane also suggested that England’s attempts to try and defend their lead worked against them.
The likes of Dan Burn, Ezri Konsa and Nico O’Reilly were all brought on in place of Gordon, Reece James and Declan Rice in the closing stages.
“Gutted for the boys, gutted for everyone – the team, the staff, the fans,” Kane added.
“We played a good game, the large majority of it. When we went 1-0 up, we seemed to try and hold on, which at this level is not enough.
“So, just gutted because we’ve worked so hard to be here and the lads have given every last bit of running, blood, sweat, tears. So to fall short is just gutting.”
For England, it’s yet more semi-final heartbreak. Having won their first World Cup semi-final in 1966, England have now been eliminated in each of their last three matches at this stage (1990, 2018, 2026).
There are just two occasions of a team scoring first in the semi-final but not reaching the final of the World Cup in the 21st century – both of them are England (vs Croatia in 2018 and Argentina in 2026).
From the 56th minute of the match, England averaged just 12% possession up until Lautaro Martinez’s winner, and Kane was asked about his team’s struggles after going ahead.
“We struggled to get pressure on the ball,” Kane said.
“Especially first half and start of the second half, we pressed them well, we put them under pressure high up the pitch, which then allowed us to win balls and control the game.
“After the goal, whether it was them putting more men forward or us not being able to match them man for man, it was just wave after wave.
“Lads were putting blocks in but, in the end, it just wasn’t enough.”
England will now play France in the third-place play-off at Miami Stadium on Saturday.
Read MoreSoccerNews Editorial Team