​The build-up was so different, but in the end the outcome so familiar. Another tournament campaign ends in a crushing defeat, and England exit the World Cup at the semi-finals for the second time in three tournaments.It all felt so different ahead of kick-off. The win over Mexico had instilled real belief in the players and fans, with both now feeling that this Three Lions side had the mentality and the ability to go right to the end.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIf the 2018 semi-final had come by surprise, this one came with expectation. While Thomas Tuchel’s side had edged past DR Congo, Mexico and Norway, there was still a feeling that this was a team that was ready to take on the biggest sides in the world.To an extent, that feeling was justified. England limited a gifted Argentina side for much of this semi-final in Atlanta, and even went ahead after a goal by one of the tournament’s surprise packages, Anthony Gordon.Anthony Gordon had given England the lead in the second half (PA Wire)For the first 60 minutes or so of this contest, England were probably the better side, even if it was a close call. These players were on the way to proving themselves and their fans right.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat is, at least, until the familiarity returned. The Three Lions sat back and invited pressure, surely one of the worst ideas in the sport when Lionel Messi is on the opposing team. There would have been a real sense of dread and déjà vu from anyone watching the loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final.The rest, as they say, is history. Enzo Fernandez fired in from outside the box, Lautaro Martinez nodded in from close range, and the status quo returned. The world champions are in a second consecutive World Cup final, and England have fallen at one of the final hurdles once more.The fallout from a loss in these circumstances will continue for days as pundits, fans and the FA analyse a defeat that was snatched from the jaws of victory. Tuchel himself will deservedly come under fire and could well find he loses his job after a performance that echoed that of his predecessor Gareth Southgate.Lionel Messi inspired Argentina’s comeback as the holders ran out 2-1 winners (PA Wire)What must be remembered though, is that while it is a harsh way to have to do it, this can serve as a vital learning curve for a young and gifted England squad.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThere is plenty of reason to be positive about this group of players. They have delivered one of the most memorable performances in decades with the win over Mexico, and while they are still to beat one of the world’s best sides on the international stage, this was a performance that took the holders and one of the best players of all time all the way. Managerial decisions can sometimes be the deciding margin, and they were this evening in Atlanta.It will be a tough pill to swallow, and there will be little to look at positively for a while, but this is ano