It’s coming home, until it wasn’t: England’s brutal eliminations since last World Cup win

For decades, English fans have chanted “It’s Coming Home” as they wait for the Three Lions to claim their first major tournament title since 1966. But those chants have been of no avail, as evidenced by England’s World Cup semifinal loss to Argentina on Wednesday.

England squandered a 1-0 lead late in Wednesday’s semifinal match against Argentina, allowing the tying goal in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martínez scored the winner in extra time.

The defeat marked just the latest heartbreak for England in a major tournament since their World Cup victory in 1966. While the Three Lions have not returned to the World Cup final since their last victory, they have reached the Euro final twice since.

So, as England endured another heartbreaking defeat on Wednesday, here’s a look back at some of their other dramatic defeats since their last World Cup victory.

WORLD CUP

Diego Maradona scored two iconic goals in a span of four minutes to eliminate England from the 1986 quarter-finals. Maradona later claimed that this goal was scored by ‘The Hand of God’. (Photo from The Graphic Archive/Getty Images)

England was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup, thanks to one of the most controversial goals in the history of this sport. In the 51st minute, Argentine star Diego Maradona tied the game against England with the infamous “Hand of God” goal. Four minutes later, Maradona scored another infamous goal, dodging the England defense to score the winning goal in what would later be known as the “Goal of the Century.”

England came close to reaching the World Cup final in 1990, before things fell apart against West Germany. After scoring the equalizer in the 80th minute, England suffered some heartbreak in extra time and penalty kicks. Paul Gascoigne received a yellow card that would have disqualified him from playing in the final, leading to a memorable image of him crying.

Gascoigne’s yellow card did not influence the final result against West Germany. However, it became England’s moment of defeat as the Three Lions missed their final two penalty kicks and went down 4-3.

A second-half red card for David Beckham left England with ten men before a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to Argentina in 1998. (Photo by Arnold Slater/Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

Argentina were again on the right side of England’s heartbreak in 1998. In the round of 16, David Beckham received a red card for a foul he committed early in the second half. Somehow, England were not only able to keep the match level with only 10 men, but also scored a goal in extra time that would have given them the lead. However, Sol Campbell’s possible goal was disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper.

Argentina was able to win the penalty kicks.

In 2018, the door was opened for England to reach the final. England took an early 1-0 lead in the semi-final against Croatia, but conceded a 68th-minute equalizer that forced extra time. Croatian Mario Mandžukić scored the winning goal in the 109th minute, and England could not break through to force penalty kicks.

England had the opportunity to potentially eliminate defending World Cup champions France in 2022, and they put up a strong fight. Harry Kane scored a penalty in the second half to level the match, before France took a 2–1 lead in the 78th minute. However, England had a golden opportunity to level the match when they were awarded a penalty kick in the 82nd minute. However, Kane was able to score again from the penalty spot, completely missing the net.

For the third time since their last World Cup victory, England suffered another heartbreaking defeat to Argentina in the World Cup on Wednesday. Anthony Gordon gave the Three Lions a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute, giving his team the lead in a close match.

But some questionable tactical changes by English coach Thomas Tuchel allowed Argentina to make a comeback. Lionel Messi had two assists in the final minutes, including one that set up Lautaro Martínez to score the winning goal with a header in extra time.

EUROS

England’s nightmares with penalties in the World Cup have also carried over to their eliminations in the European Championship. In the semi-finals of the 1996 tournament, England and Germany exchanged early goals that set the match up to go to penalties. Both teams scored their first five penalty kicks, before Germany scored at their sixth attempt and England’s Gareth Southgate failed to score at the sixth attempt.

Darius Vassell missed a penalty in England’s loss to Portugal in 2004. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images)

England’s defeat to Portugal in the quarterfinals of Euro 2004 was quite atrocious. They blew a 2–1 lead in the 83rd minute, but forced penalty kicks with a goal in the 115th minute. However, Portugal outscored England on penalties, winning 6–5 in seven rounds, as David Beckham and Darius Vassell failed to score in their attempts.

If Argentina has been England’s biggest thorn in the World Cup, then Italy has been England’s biggest thorn in the Euro Cup. They battled Italy to a goalless draw for 120 minutes in the Euro 2012 semi-finals, forcing another dramatic penalty kick session. But while Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney scored for England on penalties, Ashley Young and Ashley Cole failed to score, allowing Italy to win the shootout, 4-2.

England’s loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final might be the most painful on this list. They took an early 1-0 lead in the second minute, but Italy equalized in the 67th minute. While England were unable to score again, they were in control during the penalties. The Three Lions took a 2-1 lead in the first two rounds, but Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka all failed to score in their attempts. Italy scored on two of their last three penalty kicks and England fell short at Wembley.

Once again, England were on the brink of winning the Euro in 2024. Cole Palmer scored the equalizer against Spain in the 73rd minute, when it looked like the match would go to extra time. However, just before extra time, Spanish star Mikel Oyarzabal scored a stunning goal that gave his team a 2-1 lead en route to victory.