Former Manchester United and Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi believes Jude Bellingham never recovered mentally from an early moment in England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina. Argentina secured a dramatic 2-1 win over England in Atlanta on Wednesday, booking their place in the final against Spain.
Match Overview
Anthony Gordon put England ahead on 55 minutes in a closely contested match. However, England retreated instead of pressing their advantage, allowing Argentina to dominate the final half hour. Enzo Fernandez equalised on 85 minutes. In stoppage time, Lionel Messi found substitute Lautaro Martinez with a cross, and the Inter forward headed past Jordan Pickford to secure victory.
Rossi's Analysis
England's star players, Bellingham and Harry Kane, were quiet in the defeat. Rossi, speaking on X, highlighted an early incident involving Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes. "The first ball Bellingham touched, Paredes pushes him over very late after he releases the ball. Right there is where Jude never came back to the game mentally… The mind game worked and Jude was a non factor all game, worrying more about the off ball stuff rather than focused on his work," Rossi wrote. He added that at elite levels, the psychological battle is crucial, and Argentina are masters at it.
Bellingham's Reaction
After the defeat, Bellingham expressed his disappointment: "I think we can take a lot from the experience, but it's so gutting. I wanted to be part of an England squad that's finally done it, finally got it over the line. To be here telling the fans unfortunately the same things that they've probably heard for years and years, it's really gutting. I wish I could say more. I wish I could give one more win or two more wins. But at the moment my head's a bit fuzzy with disappointment so I'm sorry."
Post-Match Incident
Bellingham's frustrations boiled over after the final whistle when Argentina's Valentin Barco, an unused substitute, ran onto the pitch and wildly celebrated Fernandez's equaliser in front of England players. Bellingham appeared to clip Barco on the back of the head, though it remains unclear whether that was the direct cause.
