CUMBRIAN fans watched on as England's World Cup dreams ended in a heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Argentina as Lionel Messi inspired a chaotic late 2-1 turnaround.
A game that looked like it would go down in English sporting folklore instead ended in all too familiar despair as the dream of football coming home for the first time since 1966 ended in Atlanta.
Anthony Gordon’s strike had England on the cusp of a first men’s World Cup final since Sir Alf Ramsey’s heroes lifted the trophy, but reigning champions Argentina never quit.
Willed on by a febrile fanbase at a rocking Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the magic veteran star Messi, they finally found a way past Thomas Tuchel’s men when Enzo Fernandez slammed home five minutes from time.
The 39-year-old teed up the midfielder for that goal and swung over the stoppage-time cross which Lautaro Martinez headed home to break English hearts and set up Sunday’s showpiece against Spain.
Fans filled bars, fan zones and pubs across Cumbria, watching on and often questioning Thomas Tuchel's tactics as the Three Lions crashed out of the competition.
For England, having lost back-to-back European Championship finals under Sir Gareth Southgate, this was another case of so close yet so far.
Tuchel went too defensive too early as, just like Croatia at this stage eight years ago, they threw away a chance to reach the final.
It was a prescient remark as Lionel Scaloni’s side immediately looked to unsettle rather than outplay England after Argentina fans drowned out ‘God Save the King’ and saw their national anthem jeered.
Hundreds of fans however were heard at Carlisle United's Fan Zone patriotically signing the national anthem, with hopes of a first World Cup final since 1966's triumph.
Jude Bellingham came in for particularly rough treatment and managed to keep his cool in the face of frothing Leandro Paredes, with England team-mates also refusing to rise to attempts to antagonise them.
Tuchel raged on the touchline about the sheer amount of Argentinian indiscretions referee Ismail Elfath was letting slide before and after the hydration break.
The England boss sarcastically applauded when Bellingham was awarded a free-kick taken by Declan Rice and headed wide by John Stones.
Rice kept the ball alive after Argentina acrobatically cut out a Harry Kane ball forward and played wide to Morgan Rogers, whose driven cross to the back post saw Nahuel Molina napping.
Gordon darted beyond the full-back and directed home in front of the rapturous white wall.
In Cumbria, scenes of pure jubilation could be seen, with belief in Tuchel's men at an all-time high, even if the odd pint was thrown.
Similarly ecstatic celebrations followed Djed Spence’s crucial sliding challenge on Giuliano Simeone in the box. The left-back punched the air in front of Argentina’s fans and was mobbed by team-mates.
England had to dig deep in the minutes that followed as Scaloni’s side finally began to play football.
Argentina kept up the pressure after the hydration break as Alexis Mac Allister sent a diving header on to the post and another straight at Pickford, while Tuchel replaced Gordon with Ezri Konsa as England retreated further.
A short-corner routine ended with Messi playing back to the Chelsea midfielder to slam home a 25-yard drive in front of the Argentinian hordes, cupping his ears in celebration.
Momentum had now completely swung Argentina’s way, with England penned back as Tuchel’s defence-minded alterations backfired.
Mac Allister again hit the woodwork and two minutes into nine of stoppage time, English hearts were shattered.
Messi clipped over a cross and Martinez was all too easily able to direct home from close range.
Scenes of despair were rife at the full time whistle, with the dream of winning the World Cup, once again crushed.
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