Bukayo Saka feels that the English team is still haunted by their agonizing loss to Argentina in the semi-finals of this summer’s World Cup.
England was close to making it to the World Cup final for the first time since their 1966 victory after Anthony Gordon scored in the 55th minute.
However, a comeback led by Lionel Messi resulted in Argentina scoring two goals in quick succession, dashing England’s hopes of winning the trophy.
This late turn in the match marked the latest a team has come from behind to win in a normal-time World Cup semi-final.
Despite this, the Three Lions celebrated their second-best World Cup finish by defeating France 6-4 in a thrilling third-place match where Saka netted a hat-trick.
Though Saka did not play in the loss against Argentina, he expressed that the squad still carries a sense of regret about their World Cup performance.
“Clearly, there’s still a wound among us as we all believed and felt united in our confidence,” Saka said. “It’s not just us, but the entire country sensed it. You want to move on quickly, but a wound takes time to heal.”
Our @FIFAWorldCup semi-final ends in defeat. pic.twitter.com/4kAn35O31o
— England (@England) July 15, 2026
Argentina would eventually lose the final to Spain at MetLife Stadium, and England’s focus now shifts to their first Nations League match against Luis de la Fuente’s squad.
Historically, England has struggled against the reigning World Cup champions, winning only two of their last 13 encounters, with nine defeats (D2). The victories came at home against Spain in November 2011 and away against Germany in March 2016.
Spain has claimed six wins in their last nine meetings with England across all competitions (D1 L2), including a recent 2-1 victory in the Euro 2024 final.
Thomas Tuchel’s team will host Spain at Wembley Stadium during the first of four matches in the extended international break, which will also include matches against Croatia and Czechia (both at home and away).
This will mark England’s first appearance since their third-place achievement, and Saka emphasizes their commitment to starting strong in the Nations League. “We are trying to put the World Cup behind us and focus on the new international season ahead,” Saka noted. “We have four crucial group games to secure our spot in the Nations League knockout stages.”
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer enthusiasts as it represents a pivotal moment for England’s national team, signaling their opportunity to rise after World Cup heartbreak. A strong performance in the Nations League could reignite national pride and build momentum for upcoming competitions, making every match essential for fans who support the team.
Source: www.soccernews.com
