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England fans proud of team despite semi-final loss

Angela Ferguson
News imageAngela Ferguson/BBC A woman and man in England shirts are smiling while standing inside The Big Barn.Angela Ferguson/BBC
The owners of Blakemere Village Debra and Timothy Gerrard say the atmosphere was "electric"

England fans have said they are "proud" of the team despite the defeat against Argentina.

Thousands of fans across the North West packed out venues with big screens to watch the second semi-final of the World Cup 2026 on Wednesday night.

Despite Thomas Tuchel's side taking the lead shortly after half time, with a goal from Anthony Gordon, Argentina responded by scoring two goals - dashing hopes of the World Cup final including England.

Stacey Mundy from Winsford, watched the match at Blakemere Village. "Four years, we'll be back," she said, adding England had "genuinely done us proud".

About 350 fans gathered at The Big Barn in Blakemere Village in Northwich, Cheshire which hosted a big screen for all fans including families.

Alex Booth, 20, from Northwich found it a stressful watch but said: "I'm so proud of England.

"What happens, happens but we have got to be proud."

News imageAngela Ferguson/BBC A man with short brown hair has a white England shirt on and has his arms raised in the air while holding a partly filled glass of beer.Angela Ferguson/BBC
England fan Alex Booth said he was really proud of England's World Cup journey

Co-owner of Blakemere Village Debra Gerrard said she was "really heartbroken and devastated" by the result but she was proud of her team and of the atmosphere in The Big Barn.

She said they "went in with the aspiration" but "obviously it wasn't our day".

Debra said she enjoyed seeing hundreds of fans coming together to watch the game, despite supporting different local teams.

Co-owner Timothy Gerrard said: "It's such a shame to end like that but it unifies the country."

He said England's performance had been "first class", and added "they have done so well".

News imageAngela Ferguson/BBC Fans wearing England tops are sitting at long tables and standing inside a large barn.Angela Ferguson/BBC
About 350 fans have packed into The Big Barn at Blakemere Village, near Northwich

Susan Jenkins, who watched the game with her family and friends said: "We're proud of them. We really are."

Pauline Calderhead, who went along with her son Ed and her friends, said she was "absolutely gutted" and "really sad".

News imageAngela Ferguson/BBC A group of five women and one man are smiling and holding drinks while standing outside The Big Barn.Angela Ferguson/BBC
Family and friends Rachel Kidd, Jakki Allison, Ed Calderhead, Pauline Calderhead, Holly Smith and Susan Jenkins

Elsewhere in the North West, 9,000 fans gathered at Manchester's Castlefield Bowl, where the venue hosted a screening.

Fans could be seen with their heads in their hands and in disbelief on the final whistle.

England last reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2018, when they were beaten 2-1 by Croatia in Moscow.

Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic scored the winning goal in the 109th minute.

The World Cup final which will see Argentina play Spain will take place on Sunday 19 July.

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