Jude Bellingham buried his head in his father’s shoulder, the 23-year-old in tears in the stands after England’s World Cup dream ended in a 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina. Moments earlier, the midfielder had clashed with Argentina’s Valentin Barco — slapping him in fiery full-time scenes — after Barco left the substitutes’ bench to celebrate in front of England’s players during the match.
England had led through Anthony Gordon, but Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez turned the game around. Thomas Tuchel’s substitutions were criticised as the team squandered a 1-0 lead late on. BBC pundit Chris Sutton questioned whether the German is the right person to continue, while Wayne Rooney said Tuchel ‘surrendered’, claiming his changes made the team lose belief. Tuchel himself said it was “heartbreaking to be so close” but insisted: “No regrets.”
“Jude Bellingham in tears after England's 2-1 semi-final loss; FA backs Tuchel for Euro 2028.”
The FA, however, is standing firm. Chief executive Mark Bullingham thanked the squad and staff, saying: “The players and Thomas gave it everything today … they could not have worked harder.” Tuchel signed a two-year contract extension in February and intends to stay, with Bullingham’s full backing, to lead England into Euro 2028, which will be hosted by England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. “We keep on going with the contract until the home Euros,” Tuchel said. “A lot of big football nations are eliminated before the semi-final, so it is an achievement. No-one wants to hear that at the moment; me neither.”
Before the match, ex-England striker Alan Shearer strayed onto the pitch in an attempt to greet Dan Burn when not permitted, getting in trouble with staff. England now face France in the bronze-medal match on Saturday — victory would be their best performance in a men’s World Cup since 1966. But for now, the image of Bellingham weeping into his father’s shoulder lingers, the cost of coming so close.