Another World Cup campaign ended in heartache for England after the Three Lions were eliminated at the semi-final stage by holders Argentina.
Thomas Tuchel's men forged a crucial breakthrough in the 55th minute as Anthony Gordon got goalside of his market to divert Morgan Rogers' cross beyond Emiliano Martinez.
It was a deserved reward for a dogged performance by the Three Lions at that stage, but the ghosts of England's past soon undermined them as they paid the price for the defensive tactics adopted by Tuchel.
Bringing on three defenders and switching to a back five, England eventually wilted under the immense pressure as Enzo Fernandez levelled terms with an audacious strike from distance before substitute Lautaro Martinez struck in stoppage time to send Argentina through to a third World Cup final in the last four editions.
Although England's dream of ending 60 years of hurt has been extinguished, it was a tournament with several highlights for this Three Lions squad, not least the famous 3-2 triumph over Mexico at the Azteca.
Find our England player ratings for the 2026 World Cup below.
Goalkeepers
Jordan Pickford - 7
Delivered one of the goalkeeping performances of the tournament with a string of inspired saves to thwart Mexico.
But his showing in the last-16 was sandwiched by errors against DR Congo and Norway, while the Everton shot stopper may have felt he could have done better with Fernandez's goal against Argentina - although he did produce a sensational reflex save to deny Nico Gonzalez moments earlier.
Defenders
Marc Guehi - 7
Surprisingly omitted from the XI for the opening match against Croatia, England's best defender across the tournament. Consistent and dependable, if not extraordinary.
Ezri Konsa - 6
It was an intriguing tournament for Konsa. Looked like a rabbit in headlights during the opening match against Croatia, and his ball-playing limitations were evident against Ghana.
Put an almighty shift in against Mexico and looked better at right-back in the second half against Norway.
Nico O'Reilly - 7
Struggled to replicate the form he'd demonstrated at club level, especially from an attacking perspective. Faced a variety of attacking profiles on the flank and defended shrewdly against all.
Djed Spence - 6.5
I don't think I can ever recall a player evolving in a tournament like Spence at this World Cup.
The Tottenham full-back had a horror outing against DR Congo, but produced an inspired performance from the bench against Mexico, played with real determination in the latter stages against Norway and was mostly excellent against Argentina.
I celebrated his sliding tackle to deny Giovanni Simeone more than Gordon's goal.
John Stones - 7
His performance after the half-time interval against Norway was like watching the Stones of old. Not as quick and sharp as he used to be, but still an intelligent defender.
Reece James - 5
Tuchel was always taking a gamble given James' injury history and in a sequence of events that surprised nobody, the Chelsea defender spent a portion of the tournament on the sidelines with a hamstring issue.
Underwhelmed against Croatia, and looked only capable of 60 minutes against Argentina.
Dan Burn - 6
Burn's inclusion in the squad was criticised but the towering Newcastle defender certainly produced some iconic moments, not least the remarkable header against Mexico and the celebration after clattering Leo Ostigard against Norway.
Jarell Quansah - 4
Struggled against Panama at right-back and had performed brilliantly against Mexico until his red card offence.
Midfielders
Elliot Anderson - 8
With his £116m transfer to Manchester City being confirmed whilst he was out in North America, Anderson was not burdened by his extortionate price tag.
Battling the altitude of the Azteca and the sweltering heat of Miami, he covered every blade of grass, tackled well and broke the lines with his passing. What makes his performances even more impressive was that he was required to compensate for an unfit Rice next to him.
Declan Rice - 6
You have to commend Rice given the neural pain he'd been suffering in his back and hamstring, but it was telling on his performances as the tournament progressed.
Wiped out by an illness prior to the quarter-final, he recaptured his verve against Argentina, yet couldn't sustain his energy levels for the 90 minutes.
Jude Bellingham - 9
England's player of the tournament. Six goals and an assist is impressive by itself, but the manner in which he carried the team on his back through times of hardship was remarkable.
Came to England's rescue on multiple occasions and ran himself into the ground in every match.
Eberechi Eze - 6
Before the tournament it was predicted Eze was behind Morgan Rogers in the pecking order, and yet the Arsenal playmaker got the nod from Tuchel more frequently than expected.
There were flashes of his ingenuity but he toiled in the final third.
Morgan Rogers - 6
The cross for Gordon's goal against Argentina was sublime and a snippet of what he's capable of. Failed to make the most of his start against Panama but grew into the tournament, making a telling contribution from the bench against Norway.
Forwards
Harry Kane - 7.5
Another World Cup where he was in the Golden Boot conversation. England would have crashed out in the last-32 had it not been for his remarkable finishing against DR Congo.
However, his performances against Norway and Argentina left plenty to be desired, especially for a player who wanted to thrust himself into the Ballon d'Or conversation.
Bukayo Saka - 6
Saka's inclusion in the squad was called into question as he was only fit enough for the bench against Croatia and Ghana.
It was hoped his start against Panama would enable him to grow into tournament but his influence was limited, and his omission against Argentina was a telling sign of the Achilles injury he'd been managing.
There were snippets of his excellence and he showcased a brilliant work rate, but the injury restrained a player who should have been key for Tuchel.
Anthony Gordon - 7
The wide areas were a real issue for Tuchel during the group stage, and then Gordon suddenly remembered he's now a Barcelona player and turned it on during the knockout stages.
Was key in the comeback win over DR Congo, delivered a tireless shift against Mexico and was England's key outlet on the flank against Norway and Argentina.
Marcus Rashford - 5
Rashford appeared in fabulous shape heading into the tournament and appeared to have the edge over Gordon to begin with, but the wide man was largely ineffective.
A wretched performance against DR Congo was ultimately the last straw for Tuchel.
Noni Madueke - 4
Amid concerns around Saka's fitness it was hoped his Arsenal counterpart Madueke would deliver. There was glimpses of his skillset against Croatia, and yet the winger's tournament deteriorated from there.
His end product was non-existent and his withdrawal at half-time against Norway was a telling sign of Tuchel's thoughts on his performance.
Players not included
Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins were frustratingly restricted to just one appearance each and a total of 10 minutes between them as Tuchel persisted with Kane throughout the tournament without a reprieve for the Bayern Munich man.
Goalkeepers James Trafford and Dean Henderson were observers, while Kobbie Mainoo failed to play a single minute despite a strong end to the previous campaign with Manchester United.
Jordan Henderson made a fleeting appearance against Panama before breaking his arm in the celebrations against Mexico.
Trevoh Chalobah was also unused after replacing the injured Tino Livramento.
