Sir David Beckham and his son Cruz shared a touching moment after England's World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina in Atlanta. Lip reader Jeremy Freeman disclosed that Cruz, wearing his father's iconic number seven shirt, turned to Sir David after the final whistle and asked: 'You OK?' The pair then shared a warm embrace, according to the Daily Mirror.
Beckham Family Presence at the Match
The Beckham family have been a familiar presence in the stands at England's World Cup fixtures across the USA and Mexico. Sir David and Lady Victoria were accompanied by Cruz's siblings Romeo and Harper, along with Cruz's girlfriend Jackie Apostel, for one of the nation's most significant matches in 60 years.
Six decades on from England's last World Cup final appearance, the wait goes on after late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez turned the match on its head to overturn England's lead. Semi-final agony has become a recurring nightmare for England, who have won just one of their four World Cup matches at this stage - a 2-1 victory over Portugal in 1966, before going on to claim the trophy. Argentina, by contrast, have triumphed in all six of their World Cup semi-finals.
Cruz's Supportive Words
Jeremy Freeman also analysed a separate clip in which Cruz asked Sir David: 'How did we...' before his words trailed off. The exchange spoke volumes about the closeness of their bond.
Sir David, 51, has his own considerable personal history with Argentina on the football pitch. He was famously sent off for kicking Diego Simeone as England were eliminated by Argentina on penalties at the 1998 World Cup. In a remarkable twist of fate, one of Diego's sons, Giuliano, featured in the starting line-up for Argentina in last night's match. Sir David then experienced redemption at the subsequent World Cup four years later when he netted the crucial penalty against the very same opponents.
David Beckham's Reaction
The former Real Madrid star posted following the defeat in Atlanta: 'Heartbreak for us all but memories that inspire and last forever. Thank you to our team, our fans and our country for what you have given us in this World Cup.'
Meanwhile, Sir David felt compelled to defend Victoria following her rather subdued reaction to Jude Bellingham's extra-time winner in the quarter-final triumph over Norway. Footage of her seemingly lukewarm response went viral, prompting Sir David to subsequently comment: 'She was celebrating inside I promise, her reactions were slightly slower than mine.'
In her husband's Netflix documentary, Lady Victoria revealed why she frequently appears stone-faced, explaining it is largely down to the fact that her husband tends to stand on her preferred side. She said: 'Now I didn't realise that when I smile - which I do! - I smile from the left, because if I smile from the right, I look unwell. So I'm smiling on the inside but no one ever sees it. So, that's why I look so moody.'
England's Next Match
England now face France in Saturday's third-place play-off in Miami, having been unable to hold on to the lead Anthony Gordon had given them in Atlanta.
