England's 60-year wait for a trophy continues after their dramatic 2-1 loss to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final, thanks to a sublime Enzo Fernandez goal and a Lautaro Martinez header.
England started the game well and took the lead through Anthony Gordon , but they weren't able to fend off the reigning world champions, which means Argentina will now face Spain in the final.
Bellingham appeared to strike the back of Valentin Barco's head during the celebrations of Argentina's winning goal.
The final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday evening between Argentina and Spain will break a longstanding 44-year World Cup final record.
2026 World Cup Final Breaks 44-Year History
For the past 44 years, every World Cup final has had a unique stat, one that has failed to be broken. It isn't a stat that necessarily affects the game itself, but it is still unique and something that a specific club can boast about.
The record in question is that every World Cup final for the past 44 years has always featured a Bayern Munich player. Without fail, for the past 44 years, the German powerhouse has always had a player to cheer on at least one of the teams in the final.
However, since England have been eliminated from the tournament following their loss to Argentina, it means the last Bayern player still in the tournament, Harry Kane, has been sent home, meaning that the 2026 World Cup final won't feature a single Bayern player.
Whilst the stat won't have an effect on the final between Argentina and Spain, it does bring an end to one of the unique stats in football, although the final still does have the chance to break another record that has stood for a much longer time.
Lionel Messi Could Break 64-Year Record
Whilst the 44-year Bayern Munich record may have been broken, Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates have the chance to break a 64-year record that is arguably even more impressive than any other record.
After their 2022 tournament win, Argentina could be the first team in 64 years, since Brazil in 1958 and 1962, to win the World Cup back-to-back. It would leave an outstanding mark on Messi's legacy if he could break one final record in what could be his final ever World Cup.
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It will be no easy task, however, with Spain winning the European Championships just two years ago, and having been one of the best sides in the tournament, as they put in a very strong performance against France in the semi-final, as they won 2-0.
The reigning champions have reached the World Cup final for a second successive time, but FIFA are under serious pressure as a result.
The World Cup final on Sunday evening will be a top showdown between two of the best teams in football, and this longstanding record could give Messi that one extra push of motivation he needs to get his team across the finish line as he closes the final chapter of his career.
However, following Harry Kane's exit from the tournament, it means a 44-year record has been broken, and one of the last unique ongoing stats in football has finished.
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