Jude Bellingham tears up after England’s World Cup semifinal exit
Argentina's late comeback ends England's 2026 World Cup dream, with Bellingham left in tears after another agonizing semifinal defeat
England did it again. Another World Cup, another semifinal, another flight home earlier than hoped. On July 15 in Atlanta, Argentina defeated England 2-1 to advance to the final, and the image that will define the night is not a goal or a red card. It is Jude Bellingham, 23 years old, face buried in his father’s shoulder, crying.
How it happened
England actually started well, which almost makes it worse. Anthony Gordon gave England a 1-0 lead, and for a stretch, it genuinely looked like this might be the night the script finally changed.
It did not change. Argentina found their footing, and the goals came in brutal sequence. Enzo Fernández scored in the 85th minute to level the match. Then, in injury time at the 90+2 mark, Lautaro MartÃnez completed the turnaround with the winner. England had led. England had lost.
Bellingham, who had carried so much of England’s attacking threat throughout the tournament, was seen in tears almost immediately. He hugged teammates, hugged coaches, and eventually found his father, the embrace becoming the defining image of England’s exit.
Post-match scenes also reportedly included confrontations involving Argentine players.
Bellingham’s tournament in context
In the quarterfinal against Norway on July 11, Bellingham scored both goals in a 2-1 extra-time win. Both goals. In a quarterfinal. At 23.
He had already shown flashes of this at the 2022 World Cup, where he performed strongly for a team that also exited at the semifinal stage. At Real Madrid, Bellingham has spent recent seasons becoming one of the most complete midfielders in European football.
England’s semifinal curse and what it means for the future
England reaching a World Cup semifinal in 2026 and losing is, by recent historical standards, both a success and a continuation of a deeply embedded trend. The 2018 World Cup ended in a semifinal loss. The 2022 World Cup ended in the quarterfinals. The 2020 European Championship final was a near-miss that ended in penalty heartbreak. The 2024 European Championship final was another loss.
The 2026 World Cup final is scheduled for later in July, and Argentina will be there without England for company. Argentina, the reigning World Cup champions from 2022, have now beaten England on the sport’s biggest stage to reach another final.