Kane’s heartbreak: ‘We gave everything, but nothing went to plan’ as England’s World Cup dream dies in Atlanta

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For 84 minutes, England were five minutes from a first World Cup final since 1966. Then, in a devastating seven-minute implosion, it all unravelled.

Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute strike had given Thomas Tuchel’s men a deserved lead against the defending champions. Argentina, who had already made a habit of late comebacks this tournament, looked beaten. Then Enzo Fernández lashed home a stunning equalizer in the 85th minute. Seven minutes later, deep into stoppage time, Lionel Messi curled a perfect cross to the far post and substitute Lautaro Martínez powered a header past Jordan Pickford. Final score: Argentina 2, England 1.

After the final whistle, a devastated Harry Kane fronted up to the media. The England captain, who had led his country to a fourth semi-final in eight years, struggled to process the magnitude of the collapse.

“We were under a lot of pressure, put in a lot of effort and showed great mental resilience,” Kane said. “We gave it our all to get this far, but in the final minutes today, nothing went to plan. We didn’t manage it.”

The Bayern Munich striker admitted England had failed to carry out Tuchel’s instructions after taking the lead. The German manager’s message had been clear: go again and get another goal. Instead, England dropped deep, inviting Argentina forward.

“Gutted for the boys, gutted for everyone — the team, the staff, the fans,” Kane told BBC Sport. “We played a good game, the large majority of it. When we went 1-0 up we seemed to try and hold on, which at this level is not enough. The lads have given every last bit of running, blood, sweat, tears. To fall short is just gutting.”

Kane, who scored six goals at this tournament and became England’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with 14 goals in finals, will have one more match to lead his country — a third-place play-off against France in Miami on Saturday. It is small consolation for a captain who came within minutes of ending 60 years of hurt.

“In the final minutes, nothing went to plan,” he repeated. “We didn’t manage it.”

Those words will haunt England for years to come.