​For the second time in eight years, England’s men led a World Cup semi-final.But for Croatia in 2018, read Argentina in 2026.England went ahead in the 55th minute of Wednesday’s game in Atlanta, when Anthony Gordon finished from Morgan Rogers’ cross.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut late goals from Enzo Fernandez and – in the second minute of injury time – Lautaro Martinez meant the Three Lions missed out on their first men’s World Cup final appearance since 1966.And Dan Burn, who was roared on to the field as a second-half substitute with the score 1-0, summed up the feelings of the England players.”Gutted,” said the Newcastle defender. “Absolutely gutted.”We nailed the gameplan pretty well. To go 1-0 up… then we got too passive, conceded too many crosses and too many chances.”When you’re playing a team of that quality, it is going to cost you. This will haunt me for a long time, I think.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEngland had produced resolute displays in the previous two rounds – beating Mexico 3-2 in the last 16 despite playing most of the second half with 10 men, then hanging on to defeat Norway 2-1 in the quarter-finals.Asked why they had been unable to continue that run against the holders, Burn said: “I don’t know.”It is human nature [to be nervous] when you’re that close to doing something you haven’t done since ’66 and be in a final.”Argentina have done that and got that confidence. The last few games we have been able to defend the box so well. We thought we could do that again, but we weren’t as tight in the box as we would have liked.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEngland must now prepare for Saturday’s third-place play-off against France (22:00 BST), which will be live on the BBC.”I am still very proud of what we have done at this World Cup,” said Burn.”I don’t think anyone really gave us a chance. We have done a lot of good, and honestly I thought we were going to do it.”England have now lost in the semi-finals in two of the past three men’s World Cups, and were beaten in the European Championship finals in 2021 and 2024.”There’s not much to say – everyone is gutted,” said England captain Harry Kane.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”When you’re so close, 10 minutes away, and it slips out of your hands like that, obviously the lads are devastated.”We did so well for 60 minutes. We scored and deserved to be ahead then we struggled to keep the ball, struggled to put pressure on the ball and it allowed them to create more momentum and chances in the final third.”We’re going to have to find out how we can improve in those situations. It’s been probably the missing piece now for probably the past four or five tournaments.”Bayern Munich striker Kane has scored six goals at this World Cup and could still win the Golden Boot – though both Lionel Messi, who set up both Argentina goals, and France’s Kylian Mbappe are on eight.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementKane, who turns 33 later this month, refu