Micah Richards learned his father had died moments before going on air as a BBC pundit for England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina. The 38-year-old former England right-back paid tribute to his father Lincoln on Instagram, saying the news was "unexpected" and that he had "left us all too soon." Richards, who won 13 caps for England and played for Manchester City, Aston Villa and Fiorentina, described his father as "his greatest fan" who "barely missed a game my entire life." He said Lincoln would take him wherever he needed to go as a kid and was "the proudest parent possible" during his professional career. "I know, particularly as a proud old-school Yorkshireman, dad would've wanted the show to go on this evening. And so it did," Richards wrote, adding: "Thinking of my siblings and all my wider family today as we remember my father Lincoln, my hero and inspiration."
Argentina defeated England 2-1 in the semi-final, with late goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez after England had taken the lead. The loss extended England's long spell of World Cup misery. In the stands was Kelci Bowers, a 22-year-old former England youth international who is dating Argentina's Tottenham defender Marcos Senesi. Bowers had faced criticism for wearing an Argentina shirt ahead of the match, but after the final whistle she posted on Instagram: "Proud of my country." Before the game, she told The Times: "I grew up wearing an England shirt and had the privilege of representing England, so that connection will always be incredibly strong. [But] when your partner is playing in one of the biggest games of his career, naturally you want him to do well too." Bowers met Senesi while modelling Bournemouth's retro kit launch at an old American-style diner on the beachfront shortly after she joined the club. Senesi left Bournemouth for Tottenham on a free transfer this summer; Bowers also departed the Vitality Stadium after her contract expired in June.
“Micah Richards' father died before England's World Cup semi-final defeat; ex-Lioness Kelci Bowers says 'proud of my country'.”
The semi-final defeat marked another painful chapter for England, but for Richards and Bowers, the night carried deeply personal significance far beyond the result.