About 12 hours after the Three Lions of England lost to Argentina in the semifinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, many English fans are yet to come to terms with the sad situation.

From the London Heathrow Airport to Central London, the fans are lamenting, calling for the head of Coach Thomas Tuchel, who they accused of parking “the bus” instead of playing “‘normal football” after a goal up on Wednesday night.

Team Captain Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to come from behind to punish the Three Lions following what the fans described as ‘negative’ football tactics by Tuchel.

Some of the fans told The Guardian on Wednesday night that the defeat was a ‘man-made’ error.

One of the fans, Freddie, at the arrival hall at Heathrow Airport, accused the coach of breaking the hearts of many English fans with his poor tactics. “He should be sacked immediately,” Freddie fumed.

Another angry fan, Luca, said: “I couldn’t sleep all through the night. I was already looking forward to see England versus Spain final after we scored, but our coach destroyed everything. He should go.”

Oscar, an Uber driver, simply called on Tuchel to resign immediately. He said that the substitutions Tuchel made created problems for England instead of helping the team.

Jude Bellingham and his England team-mates were dejected in Atlanta at the full-time whistle after the Three Lions’ defeat to Argentina, which according to report, was the most painful in 60 years.

According to an online report, yesterday, England’s years of hurt will now stretch beyond 60, but the late collapse to a World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina may just be the most painful wound of all.

The clock inside the magnificent Atlanta Stadium showed England were five minutes of normal time away from ending the wait for a men’s World Cup final that stretches back to 1966, when they lifted the Jules Rimet trophy at Wembley.

England’s players and Tuchel had immortality in their hands as they led through Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute goal.

Their grasp, however, was being loosened by alleged catastrophic decision making by Tuchel.

One goal seemed inevitable – and it came from Enzo Fernandez in the 85th minute. Then, with England on the ropes, Lautaro Martinez’s injury-time header floored them.

England could not come back, so a stunned football nation wakes up to another desperate near-miss from this team.

Tuchel’s unique selling point when he succeeded Sir Gareth Southgate was the idea he would win matches his predecessor could not.

England will face France in the third place match tomorrow, while the defending champions, Argentina, will take on Spain in the final on Sunday.