Saka says England still feel World Cup semifinal defeat

Bukayo Saka said England’s players are still feeling the emotional impact of their World Cup semifinal defeat to Argentina but are trying to turn their attention to the Nations League campaign, which begins against Spain on September 26 at Wembley. Saka said the defeat had left a lingering sense of disappointment after the team and supporters had believed England could reach the final. He said the squad was trying to draw a line under the tournament and focus on the new international season, while acknowledging that the hurt would take time to fade. England have four group matches in the Nations League and are aiming to qualify for the knockout stage, Saka said. The fixture against Spain opens the campaign, giving the squad a competitive focus after the World Cup. The reports identify the match as England’s first fixture in the new Nations League campaign. England lost 2-1 to Argentina in the semifinal after conceding two late goals, according to the supplied accounts. The team then beat France 6-4 in the third-place match. Saka scored a hat-trick in that game, and the result gave England a third-place finish at the tournament.