Kane reveals Tuchel's touchline instruction as Martinez sinks England in stoppage time

Harry Kane has revealed the instruction Thomas Tuchel sent from the touchline moments before Argentina overturned England’s lead to win their World Cup semi-final 2-1 in Atlanta, with substitute Lautaro Martinez heading home the decisive goal in the second minute of stoppage time.

Anthony Gordon gave England the lead, but Enzo Fernandez equalised before Martinez’s late header sealed victory for the reigning world champions, who dominated the closing stages of the contest.

Kane, who had a quiet evening leading the line, explained that Tuchel’s message after Gordon’s opener was an instruction to push for a second goal rather than consolidate. “The boys are always ready for any moment in the game. When we went ahead, the message was to go ahead and get another goal,” the England captain told BBC Sport.

“Then obviously once they scored their two goals it was to try and find something [another goal]. But we couldn’t quite get the momentum back in the game.”

The defeat ends England’s World Cup campaign at the semi-final stage, with Argentina advancing to the final as holders. Martinez’s winning header came against the run of play in the final moments, capping a dramatic late collapse that will haunt Tuchel’s squad.