England’s hopes of reaching the FIFA World Cup 2026 final ended in heartbreaking fashion after Argentina produced a late comeback to claim a 2-1 victory in the semi-final in Atlanta. While the Three Lions looked in control for much of the contest, their increasingly defensive approach after taking the lead proved costly.

Cagey first half offers few clear chances

The opening 45 minutes were dominated by physical battles and disciplined defending, leaving both teams with limited opportunities in front of goal. According to Opta, England registered an expected goals (xG) value of 0.05 in the first half, while Argentina managed just 0.03.

Despite the lack of attacking moments, England remained organised and frustrated the defending champions throughout the opening period.

Gordon breaks the deadlock

England finally found the breakthrough in the 55th minute when Anthony Gordon met a well-delivered cross from Morgan Rogers to put his side 1-0 ahead. The goal sparked celebrations among England supporters and appeared to put Thomas Tuchel’s side on course for a place in the World Cup final.

Argentina initially struggled to respond. With central defenders Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero both carrying yellow cards, the South American side had to remain cautious in defence, limiting their ability to challenge England’s attackers aggressively.

Defensive substitutions shift momentum

Instead of pushing for a second goal, England gradually retreated deeper into their own half.

In the 72nd minute, head coach Thomas Tuchel replaced goalscorer Anthony Gordon with defender Ezri Konsa, effectively switching to a back-five system. The tactical change reduced England’s attacking threat and allowed Argentina to dominate possession.

Tuchel made two more defensive-minded substitutions in the 82nd minute, bringing on Dan Burn and Nico O’Reilly for Reece James and Declan Rice. The changes further reinforced England’s defensive setup as Argentina continued to press for an equaliser.

Argentina capitalise late

Argentina’s persistence paid off in the 85th minute. Lionel Messi played a short corner to Enzo Fernandez, who found space outside the penalty area before firing a powerful shot beyond Jordan Pickford to make it 1-1.

With momentum firmly on their side, Argentina continued to attack during stoppage time. In the second minute of added time, Messi collected a loose ball on the right wing and delivered a precise cross into the six-yard box. Lautaro Martinez capitalised on defensive hesitation to score the winning goal and send Argentina into the final.

According to Opta, England had just 12% possession between Gordon’s opening goal in the 55th minute and Martinez’s decisive strike in stoppage time, underlining Argentina’s sustained control during the closing stages.

Harry Kane reflects on defeat

England captain Harry Kane admitted his side became overly defensive after taking the lead.

“Once we went 1-0 up, we seemed to just try and hold on, which at this level is not enough.”

His comments echoed the disappointment surrounding England’s inability to maintain their attacking intent after moving ahead.

Argentina set up final against Spain

With the victory, Argentina advanced to the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, where they will face Spain in the tournament’s title clash.

England, meanwhile, are left to reflect on another painful World Cup exit after surrendering a winning position in the closing minutes of a match that had once appeared firmly within their control.

Alia Bhatt has officially joined the cast of the much-awaited sequel of horror-fantasy film Tumbbad 2. The announcement was made by actor and producer Sohum Shah, who welcomed Alia to the franchise by sharing pictures on social media with the caption, “A new chapter unfolds. Welcome to #Tumbbad2, @aliaabhatt.”

The sequel will see Alia Bhatt, Sohum Shah, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui sharing screen space. Directed by Adesh Prasad, the film is being produced by Sohum Shah Films in association with Pen Studios. The makers have also announced that Tumbbad 2 is scheduled to release in theatres on December 3, 2027.

Alia Bhatt said Tumbbad has stayed with her ever since she first watched it. She described the film as one of the few movies that created a unique and immersive world, adding that joining the franchise is a special opportunity for her. The actor said she is looking forward to exploring a new character in the mysterious Tumbbad universe.

Released in 2018, Tumbbad became a cult classic for its blend of Indian folklore, mythology, fantasy, and horror. Starring Sohum Shah in the lead role, the film earned widespread critical acclaim and gained even more popularity after its re-release, becoming one of the most successful re-released Indian films.

The confirmation of Alia Bhatt’s casting ended weeks of speculation and has increased excitement among fans. With the addition of Alia Bhatt and Nawazuddin Siddiqui to the cast, the sequel promises a stronger star lineup while continuing the dark and mysterious world of the first film.

As of now, filming and production are on, and the makers are preparing for the film’s theatrical release in December 2027. Fans are eagerly waiting to see how the sequel expands the mythology of the Tumbbad universe and whether it can match the original film’s impact.

Actor Hina Khan and her husband Rocky Jaiswal have reacted strongly after television actor Shilpa Shinde made controversial remarks on Hina’s battle with Stage 3 breast cancer during a recent interview. The comments triggered criticism online, with Hina and Rocky describing them insensitive and inappropriate.

The controversy began after Shinde questioned Hina’s public discussion of her illness and commented on her appearance during treatment. In the interview, Shilpa suggested that Hina did not look like someone undergoing cancer treatment, leading to widespread reactions on social media.

Responding on Instagram, Khan did not mention Shinde by name but stressed that every cancer patient’s journey is different. She said people should avoid making assumptions about a person’s medical condition based on physical appearance, adding that awareness and compassion are far more important than judgment. Khan reminded her followers that cancer affects individuals in different ways and that no two recovery journeys are the same.

Rocky Jaiswal also came out in his wife’s support, calling the remarks “inhuman” and expressed disappointment over the lack of sensitivity shown towards someone fighting a serious illness. He said personal health struggles should never become the subject of ridicule or speculation and urged people to respond with empathy instead of criticism.

Hina Khan revealed in June 2024 that she had been diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. Since then, she has regularly shared updates about her chemotherapy, surgeries and recovery through social media. The actor has repeatedly said that speaking openly about her treatment is her way of spreading awareness and giving hope to others facing similar challenges.

The exchange has sparked widespread discussion across social media, with many fans and members of the television industry extending support to Hina Khan and praising her courage.