England captain Harry Kane lies on the pitch after his side's semifinal defeat to Argentina at Atlanta Stadium in the United States on Wednesday. [AP]
England captain Harry Kane lies on the pitch after his side's semifinal defeat to Argentina at Atlanta Stadium in the United States on Wednesday. [AP]

King Charles III and the British royal family sent messages of consolation and encouragement to England's national football team after it fell to Argentina 1-2 in the semifinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America.

The royal family posted a message through its official account on Wednesday, saying: "Our thoughts are with Harry (Kane) and the England team. On Wednesday, the Three Lions may be licking their wounds, but you remain the pride of our nation."

The Three Lions refers to England's national football team, whose badge features three lions. The royal family used the image of licking wounds to describe Wednesday's defeat and the road to recovery, adding "will rise again."

King Charles III of Britain. [Reuters]
King Charles III of Britain. [Reuters]

England lost 1-2 to Argentina in the semifinal at Atlanta Stadium in the United States on Wednesday.

Anthony Gordon gave England the lead in the 55th minute, but Enzo Fernandez equalized in the 86th minute and Lautaro Martinez scored the winner in the 92nd minute to complete a stunning comeback for Argentina.

Captain Harry Kane, speaking to the BBC after the match, said the team appeared to sit back after going ahead. "When you go 1-0 up and it seems like we were just trying to defend, at this level that's not enough. We worked so hard to get here and the players gave everything," he said. "It's so disappointing to lose like this. Failing to achieve the goal of winning the title is truly heartbreaking."


ygmoon@heraldcorp.com