The BBC unveiled a major change ahead of the second World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina. Mark Chapman hosted the broadcaster's live football coverage on Wednesday (July 15) from inside Atlanta Stadium, rather than the immersive studio in Salford that had been used for previous matches.
BBC team travels to host nation for first time
Up until now, BBC stars Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan had hosted coverage live from a state-of-the-art immersive studio in Salford, which transported viewers to 16 cities across three host nations. But for the latest encounter, the team travelled to Atlanta Stadium in person, after the BBC announced it would leave its domestic studio to head across the pond.
Mark was joined by regular pundits Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart and Micah Richards during the build-up to the anticipated match.
Viewers react on social media
Viewers were quick to share their verdict on X (formerly Twitter), as Mark introduced the coverage from inside the spacious stadium for the first time. "The BBC finally arrive at the World Cup. Only about a month late," one person wrote. Another added: "I see that the BBC pundits have finally bothered to travel out for the World Cup."
A third said: "Remember all that nonsense about the BBC presenting the World Cup from Salford while ITV1 was actually IN one of the host countries?! Tonight, one of them presents LIVE from a stadium for the first time. What one? Yes, the BBC!" Someone else wrote: "BBC actually made it to the World Cup. Crazy."
Opening montage sparks mixed reactions
Mark began the coverage by saying: "Evening, don't look back in anger. Sometimes it's hard not to." A montage of some of England's most devastating footballing moments against Argentina was then played, including Diego Maradona's Hand of God moment and David Beckham's 1998 red card.
Some viewers weren't impressed with the negative start to the coverage. One angry fan wrote: "The BBC could not hate us more! We play Argentina tonight in the World Cup semi-final and how does the [BBC] open its coverage? Some inspiring footage of England's past triumphs? Of course not. They open with a montage of some of our most devastating footballing moments. With the soundtrack of a post apocalyptic horror movie playing in the background."
Someone else wrote: "The rest of the build up is just one big [Lionel] Messi love in! It's sickening, FFS if I was Kane or Bellingham I'd be fuming, let's have some god damn positivity please BBC."
Former host praises build-up
Meanwhile, former Football Focus host Dan Walker praised the BBC team's build-up, writing on X: "Brilliant build-up from the BBC. Pundits all on it, Chappers superb, in the stadium, on the pitch… best of the World Cup so far."
England reached their fourth World Cup semi-final with an extra-time victory against Norway in the quarter-finals, and were victorious in the Atlanta stadium in the last 32, when they came from behind again to defeat DR Congo. Reigning champions Argentina have managed to score three times in each of their knockout matches so far, with Lionel Messi set to face England for the first time in his career.
