Most teams that go on to achieve ultimate glory have one thing in common: resilience.

Captain Harry Kane insisted England's intention was never to sit back after taking the lead against Argentina, but admitted his side were overwhelmed by a relentless surge that turned a World Cup semifinal they seemed destined to win into another chapter of tournament heartbreak.

"Speechless. This is a joy for our country and our people. The other day I said this group never ceases to amaze me, and tonight they proved it again."

When the world tuned in to the 2026 World Cup semi-final between Spain and France, all eyes were fixed on the superstars. The pre-match narrative was dominated by Kylian Mbappe's lethal finishing, Michael Olise's fluid football and the brilliance of Lamine Yamal.

Anthony Gordon put England ahead in the 55th minute but Enzo Fernandez equalised 30 minutes later and Lautaro Martinez headed in the winner in stoppage time from Lionel Messi's cross.

Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat by Spain was particularly painful because of the manner in which it came.

England have made three changes to their starting side for the World Cup semifinal against Argentina on Wednesday, with manager Thomas Tuchel bringing Reece James and Djed Spence into the back four, while opposing coach Lionel Scaloni makes one switch.

From England's victory at the 1966 World Cup to the shadow cast by the 1982 Falklands War, from Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal in 1986 to major duels in 1998 and 2002, meetings between the countries have long felt larger than soccer.

Bangladesh star Hamza Choudhury backed Argentina to beat England in tonight’s 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal, saying “the greatest footballer of all time” Lionel Messi’s presence could prove decisive in Atlanta.

Argentina's Vice President Victoria Villarruel called the English "usurping pirates" ahead of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final between the two countries' teams.

Stiles, a former Manchester United midfielder, died almost six years ago aged 78 with severe dementia and had headed a football around 140,000 times during his career, Stockport Coroner's Court in northwest England heard at the inquest into his death.

Beyond Spain’s 2-0 victory over France in the World Cup semifinal in Dallas lay a far more compelling story than the scoreline itself -- one of a tactical masterclass from Luis de la Fuente that Didier Deschamps never truly recognised, let alone countered.

A master at getting under the skin of elite attackers, Cucurella does not just mark opposing wingers; he physically and mentally derails them.

Footballing immortality had been within touching distance. On a sweltering afternoon in Dallas, it slipped away.

A second star has never been so within touching distance for La Furia Roja.

Imitating little Pedrito, Porro sat down on the pristine Dallas Stadium grass and raised his hand skyward.

The much-hyped France-Spain encounter, billed by many as the "final before the final", turned into a tactical exhibition rather than the edge-of-the-seat spectacle supporters had anticipated.

Burglars tried to break in to the Barcelona home of Spain star Lamine Yamal on Wednesday, shortly after he helped La Roja reach their second World Cup final, police and media said.

Interestingly, almost everyone in my family supported Brazil, while my father also admired Germany and Italy. Even today, I cannot clearly explain why I chose Argentina. Perhaps it was Gabriel Batistuta

Friends and family have for a few years told Russian model Anastasia Kostromina that she looked like Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, but it was not until he became the World Cup's superstar that she decided to take that online.