England winger Bukayo Saka has said the national side are still carrying the emotional "scar" of their World Cup semi-final exit to Argentina.
Saka used the phrase to describe the lingering effect the defeat has had on players, indicating the disappointment from that result remains present in the squad. He spoke about how such a high-profile loss can stay with players long after the tournament ends.
The comment highlights the psychological toll that elimination at the latter stages of a major tournament can exact on international teams. For England, the semi-final defeat to Argentina stands as a recent, painful memory that players and staff may continue to process as they prepare for future fixtures and competitions.
Saka's remarks underline a broader theme in international football: deep disappointment at pivotal moments can become a motivating factor or a continuing emotional burden, depending on how a team addresses it. How England manage that experience — through squad management, preparation and the players' individual responses — will be observed as they move forward.