Keir Starmer has been blamed for England’s World Cup semi-final defeat against Argentina. Despite having nothing to do with the team, squad selection, tactics, coaching, events on the field or anything at all to do with England’s World Cup journey . . . Brits are blaming the outgoing PM for the loss
Just minutes after the soul-crushing defeat, social media was filled with people blaming Starmer, as one wrote: “We all knew when he said he’d go to the world cup final if we won tonight that we’d get beat. Cursed w*****.”
And another said: “Can’t help but feel like this is all Starmer’s fault.” And a third wrote: “Must be Starmer’s fault. England will win the next, under Farage, but only if sponsored by Gazprom.”
Meanwhile, in Argentina, fans were seen burning England flags in the streets as hundreds of thousands of people filled the centre of Buenos Aires to show their pride in the reigning world champions.
People were seen climbing monuments, clinging from lampposts and streaming out of bars to join the chaos – with one bloke choosing that moment to propose to his girlfriend (we assume it was his girlfriend, not just some random woman he just met) – and she said yes.
While all that was going on, heated post-match scenes witnessed Jude Bellingham slap Valentin Barco. The England midfielder seemingly sparked the altercation, though Barco had previously caused outrage when he abandoned the substitutes’ bench to celebrate in front of his rivals rather than his team-mates during the game.
It’s not clear whether Barco said anything to anger the Real Madrid midfielder, who speaks Spanish. Barco had been arm-in-arm with Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez when Bellingham made his way over to the trio and struck him in the back of the head.
The full-back spun around and squared up to Bellingham. The midfielder, England’s standout performer throughout the tournament, was later seen in the stands alongside his family after the final whistle. The 23-year-old seemed to be weeping as he pressed his head against his father’s shoulder. Criticism has been aimed at Thomas Tuchel over England’s cautious approach.
BBC pundit Chris Sutton questioned whether the German is the correct choice to remain as manager of the squad. And fellow pundit Wayne Rooney claimed Tuchel “gave up”. The former England captain argued the German’s substitutions caused the team to lose confidence. Speaking after full-time, Rooney said: “We’ve crumbled… it started from the manager.”
He added: “Once we got the first goal, we didn’t look to go for the second goal. For the players, and for me, Thomas Tuchel made the decision, and when you make the decision it is a gamble. The gamble he made was to go with five at the back, which allowed them to dictate the game. The decisions that Tuchel has made cost us tonight.”
“It’s a panic, it’s a real panic. You can’t go a goal up and then surrender. Surrender the ball and surrender any opportunity of trying to get the second goal. You want to be on the front foot when the pressure is on Argentina to get back in the game.”
Nevertheless, the former Chelsea manager still enjoys the FA’s support and remains under contract until after Euro 2028. Tuchel also pledged his commitment to the position: “I have a contract until the home Euros and I’m looking forward to that even like now it is difficult to look that far ahead.”