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60 years of hurt: Ranking England's 5 most painful World Cup exits
Yahoo Sports • • general
Key Points:
- England was defeated 2-1 by Argentina in the 2026 World Cup semifinal, marking another painful knockout loss for the "Three Lions," continuing a history of near misses in major tournaments.
- The 2026 loss echoed past heartbreaks, including the 2018 semifinal defeat to Croatia and the infamous 1990 penalty shootout loss to West Germany, which entrenched England's struggles in high-pressure moments.
- Historic painful moments also include the 1986 quarterfinal against Argentina, remembered for Maradona's "Hand of God" goal, and the 1998 Round of 16 penalty shootout loss to Argentina after Beckham's red card.
- Despite promising performances and tactical praise under coach Thomas Tuchel in 2026, England's late defensive collapse against Argentina, conceding goals in the 85th and 90+2 minutes, led to a heartbreaking exit.
- England's long-standing World Cup frustrations continue, with the 2026 semifinal loss adding to a legacy of near-successes and painful eliminations spanning over six decades.
