England blow another golden chance as anger boils over in Southsea

It was the ending no one wanted. But one we’ve all seen too many times as England wasted another golden chance of glory by trying to grind out a 1-0 against Argentina before it blew up in their faces.

With just five minutes of normal time left the scenes in Albert Road, Southsea, were posed to be one of collective ecstasy with people singing and dancing in the street following Anthony Gordon’s winning goal on 55 minutes.

Instead, after the Lionel Messi inspired late daggers through the heart from Enzo Fernandez and then Lautaro Martinez, there were screeching police cars and riot vans on high alert in the area as anger hung in the air.

Bollards in the road were thrown and kicked, a Voi scooter was punted and an Argentinian shirt was joyfully burnt to relieve some of the rage at exiting the World Cup at the semi-final stage.

Scott Thomas, 38, of Southsea, was one of many disappointed fans following the final whistle. “We did quite well for much of the game but as the game went on we just started defending too much and got punished. It’s horrible,” he said.

Gavin Peters, 48, said: “It’s another big disappointment. England went too defensive, made substitutions that blunted our attack. Argentina were threatening for a while and we were just there for the taking. We only started attacking when we went 2-1 down. Typical.”

Michael Moran, 54, added: “Gutted. We were so close again. It looked like we might hold on for a while but once they got the equaliser there was only one winner.”

Yet before the game, there was confidence from punters at The Kings pub that England would win - with many predicting an emphatic win. Richard Harper said: “I think we’ll win 3-1. We’ve got better players so if we perform then we should do it.”

Reece Elliot said: “It’s coming home. We’ll turn them over no worries.”

Others were more concerned but still thought England would get the job done. Olivia Dodds said: “I’ll be worried if it goes to extra-time and penalties but I think we’ll win.” Kane Pfeiffer added: “I think we’ve got too much for them.”

Unfortunately it was not to be. Again.