England player ratings as Argentina end World Cup dream with semi-final comeback
England's World Cup dream came to a heartbreaking end as Argentina came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory in the semi-finals.
Thomas Tuchel's side looked on course for the final after leading until the closing minutes of normal time, but the holders produced a late turnaround to book their place in another World Cup final.
England impressed for long spells, pressing aggressively and limiting Argentina's attacking threat before the momentum swung in Argentina's favour late in the game.
World Cup 2026 analysis: Five talking points from England vs Mexico
Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane dragged England through to the next stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 once more as Thomas Tuchel’s side defeated the daunting Mexico 3-2 in a display of total grit and determination.
The Three Lions have earned themselves a quarter-final match-up against a confident Norway, led by Erling Haaland in his debut World Cup.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Stanley Cheeseman looks at five talking points from the Round of 16 clash at the infamous Azteca Stadium that saw England advance through the tournament when the odds were, arguably, against them.
World Cup 2026: England vs DR Congo Round of 32 preview - Statement victory needed for Three Lions
England topped Group L of the World Cup 2026 following the 2-0 victory over Panama on Saturday, June 27, ensuring they would be favourably placed as a third-placed team in the first knockout round.
In facing DR Congo, England are presented with another opportunity to prove themselves as a force to be reckoned with, if they can defeat their respective lesser opposition resoundingly.
Sports News Blitz’s Johnny Jones looks ahead to England’s knockout showdown, and how the Three Lions can address supporters’ concerns.
World Cup 2026: Why England need to make a statement against Panama
After early signs of promise in their first game versus Croatia, England were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against Ghana on Tuesday, June 23.
They meet Panama on Saturday, June 25, in a game where they can’t do anything else but win.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jacob Hibbert looks at why Thomas Tuchel’s team have to get it right.
World Cup 2026 analysis: Thomas Tuchel's selection gamble backfires as England stumble against Ghana
England were handed a reality check in their second World Cup match, labouring to a frustrating goalless draw against world number 65 Ghana.
Expectations were high following a statement victory over Croatia, where England displayed the attacking fluidity and creativity supporters have long craved at major tournaments. However, this performance against the Black Stars felt like a return to the familiar frustrations that have haunted England for years.
Sports News Blitz writer Johnny Jones examines England's frustrating draw with Ghana and the growing questions surrounding Thomas Tuchel's squad selections.
World Cup 2026 analysis: Why Thomas Tuchel’s England squad suddenly makes sense
After plenty of question marks over Thomas Tuchel’s squad selection ahead of the 2026 World Cup, that good old English optimism has returned following the Three Lions’ 4-2 win over Croatia in their opening group stage match.
Suddenly, the exclusion of the likes of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold don’t seem to bother fans as much.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jacob Hibbert takes a look at why this crop of England players are perfect for what manager Tuchel is trying to achieve.
England player ratings vs Croatia: Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham lead the way as Three Lions make winning World Cup 2026 start
England began their World Cup 2026 campaign with an entertaining 4-2 victory over Croatia, but Thomas Tuchel's side left Texas with both reasons for optimism and plenty to think about defensively after a chaotic Group L opener.
World Cup 2026 news: Reviewing Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man England squad as big names miss out
England manager Thomas Tuchel has revealed his 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup – and it has certainly been met with a lot of opinions and controversy.
With some big names not making the final cut for FIFA’s showpiece in the US, Mexico and Canada, Sports News Blitz writer Dejan Johal is here with a review of Tuchel’s squad.
World Cup 2026 analysis: Can Thomas Tuchel’s England finally bring football home?
England's preparations for the upcoming World Cup have finished, and Thomas Tuchel has the toughest decision of his life to make on May 30 when he picks his final squad for the World Cup.
Soccer analysis: Can Thomas Tuchel’s England win FIFA World Cup 2026 without Harry Kane?
It was a disappointing international window for Thomas Tuchel and his England side after the Three Lions suffered a 1-0 loss to Japan on Tuesday. That defeat followed a 1-1 draw with Uruguay and further exposed some blatant cracks.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Matthew Morgan examines the potential weaknesses this England squad may have to face.
FIFA World Cup 2026 news: What England’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay told us about potential call-ups
England drew 1-1 with Uruguay at Wembley Stadium on Friday night, with the hosts fielding a heavily rotated team in London. Players such as Dominic Solanke, Fikayo Tomori, Noni Madueke, and Djed Spence featured for Thomas Tuchel’s side but are unlikely to start for England this summer and could be in danger of missing out altogether.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Elliot Ward takes a closer look at which players have a realistic chance of securing their place on the plane to America.
England analysis: How Man City’s Nico O’Reilly can fit into Thomas Tuchel’s 2026 World Cup squad
England is not short of talent; they are saturated with it. The challenge has been arranging that abundance into a balanced, cohesive team – particularly down the left side, where structure has often looked uneven.
It is into this very gap that Nico O’Reilly has emerged, a versatile midfielder capable of operating across multiple roles and offering a tactical intelligence that could help England’s World Cup hopes, writes Sports News Blitz’s Ruben Picardo Ashworth.
World Cup 2026 analysis: Who’s in and who’s at risk of missing out on England’s squad?
With just four months until the 2026 World Cup kicks off in the United States, attention is turning to England’s squad picture.
Competition for places is intensifying, with some players pushing their case at the right time and others at risk of missing out altogether.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Oliver Powell looks at the players that could make or miss the England squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Who could be in England’s starting XI for the 2026 World Cup?
With the opening game of the World Cup under five months away, debate around England’s starting XI is already heating up.
Thomas Tuchel will definitely be looking to find his best combination, but with standout performers across the Premier League and Europe, picking an XI may be his toughest challenge yet.
In this article, Sports News Blitz’s Charlotte Allsop predicts who Tuchel could field in the 2026 World Cup.
Premier League news: Caretaker or contender – Manchester United’s latest managerial dilemma
One week on from Ruben Amorim’s departure, Manchester United once again find themselves searching for short-term stability amid long-term uncertainty.
With the season itself unravelling, the Red Devils are expected to appoint a caretaker manager until the summer, writes Sports News Blitz’s Alex Rhodes.
England news: Winners and losers from Three Lions’ final World Cup qualifiers against Serbia, Albania
England wrapped up a perfect World Cup qualifying campaign by defeating Serbia and Albania to nil in their last two matches.
This means they won every match while keeping a clean sheet in each and scoring 22 goals.
With next year’s World Cup looming on the horizon, Sports News Blitz writer Eloise Stevens breaks down the biggest winners and losers from England’s international break.
Premier League news: Top five Tottenham vs Chelsea games of the modern era
Chelsea travel to Tottenham on Saturday for a London derby that promises to be as tenacious and entertaining as ever, with both clubs currently fighting for the top four.
Ahead of the showdown at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Sports News Blitz writer Will Thomas ranks the top five games between the two sides in the modern era.
Soccer news: Latvia vs England – Five talking points as Three Lions chase World Cup qualification
England head into Tuesday night’s clash against Latvia with 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification on the line as a win in Riga will see Thomas Tuchel’s men punch their ticket to next year’s footballing showcase in the United States.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Eloise Stevens looks at the key talking points ahead of the match.
Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and more left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad
Thomas Tuchel has named his England squad for October, with several high-profile players missing out.
Jack Grealish, Jude Bellingham, Adam Wharton and Phil Foden are among those left out as the manager sticks with much of the group that featured in September.
Thomas Tuchel ‘absolutely convinced’ England are making progress ahead of Serbia clash
After four straight wins and no goals conceded in World Cup qualifying, England sit atop Group K. However, scrutiny lurks after another uninspiring performance against Andorra.
Now, Thomas Tuchel’s side face their sternest test yet: a hostile trip to the Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade on Tuesday, September 9.