A crowd of 68,239 watched a dramatic World Cup semi-final as England thought they'd done enough to win it, but Argentina's gritty performance and controversial tactics left the Three Lions heartbroken.
Burn's Late Entry and Heartbreak
Newcastle United star Dan Burn was left to gather his thoughts in Atlanta as his World Cup adventure came to a shattering end. He spent time staging a moment away from his team-mates as he tried to process what had just unfolded in the US. Burn's entry came with just eight minutes left, as he replaced Declan Rice, but slack defending from a couple of England team-mates with five minutes left allowed Enzo Fernandez to sweep home. Slotting into a back five, he could be seen organising the England defensive rearguard but a tiring England then let it slip with five minutes to go.
Lautaro Martinez's header broke hearts in the 92nd minute and while Burn was then hurled forward as an emergency striker, there would be no Roy of the Rovers type ending as Argentina fought ferociously in the final stages. As tough as it was to take, they probably showed more grit to win it. Burn has been brilliant in this tournament and should be proud of his rise, but this was a moment that would leave everybody in an English shirt utterly choked.
Messi's Gesture Amidst Controversy
As Burn attempted to contemplate this defeat, Lionel Messi made his way over to shake his hand in what would have been a moment the Blyth lad couldn't have dreamed of at one stage during his career in the lower leagues, let alone pushing trolleys in Asda as a youngster. Burn's head should be held high as he joins an elite bunch of players to have appeared in a World Cup semi-final.
Gordon's Stunning Goal
The England fans in Atlanta erupted on 57 minutes when England built a superb attack down the right as Declan Rice slipped in Morgan Rogers before his fine was flicked home by Anthony Gordon. It was the type of finish Newcastle fans had grown to be used to as he went from being a raw star to a fully fledged England international. Gordon went off during the second half hydration break as Ezri Konsa replaced him. He'd only had 25 touches but his contribution shone as brightly as the World Cup trophy itself. Unfortunately, he could only watch on in agony, helplessly, as what could have been the most famous England away from home every was cancelled out.
Anderson's Battle with Argentina
Elliot Anderson, a tough lad, would not go down for nothing, but even then, you could not blame him if he did overcook the reaction early in the game, as he was clattered by Enzo Fernandez, then Giuliano Simeone. He certainly didn't overcook it on the Fernandez incident but American ref Ismail Elfath opted not to issue any type of card despite clouting him in the head. Argentina would do no differently and England had to be as streetwise as the side from South America if they were going to succeed in Atlanta. Anderson was fouled three times in the first quarter and Argentina were clearly targeting the Whitley Bay lad as the star who made England tick.
England reached the first hydration break with the scores level and neither side managing a shot. By that stage, Anderson had had the most touches (29) of any player on the field. Was it retribution when Anderson steamed through Lionel Messi to rattle the Argentina team in the first half? No, it was simply giving as good as you get, arguably the Geordie way, only on the biggest stage in sport. Argentina weren't punished early in the game, and the ex-Newcastle youth was cautioned after a strong challenge on Messi, which sent the South American superstars into a meltdown. Messi could only sit on his backside and wonder what had hit him. American official Ismail Elfath showed Anderson the yellow card to his utter disbelief.
