England's World Cup semi-final history: 1966 glory, 1990 and 2018
Short overview
England reach their fourth World Cup semi-final in 2026, facing Argentina. Their only semi-final win came in 1966, when they went on to lift the trophy. Defeats in 1990 and 2018 ended in penalty shootout and extra-time heartbreak respectively.
England are through to a fourth FIFA World Cup™ semi-final, with reigning champions Argentina standing between Thomas Tuchel's side and a place in the 2026 showpiece. As anticipation builds for another last-four showdown, FIFA looks back at how the Three Lions fared in their previous three World Cup semi-final appearances.
1966: The only semi-final victory
England's only World Cup semi-final victory to date came on home soil in 1966, as Alf Ramsey's side overcame Portugal 2-1 at Wembley Stadium. Bobby Charlton produced a masterclass, scoring twice to put the hosts in control, though Eusebio pulled one back from the penalty spot late on. The Three Lions held firm to book their place in a maiden World Cup final back at Wembley, where they famously defeated West Germany 4-2 after extra time to lift the Jules Rimet Trophy for the first time. The original World Cup prize was later replaced by the current FIFA World Cup Trophy.
1990: Penalty shootout agony
England came agonisingly close to reaching the World Cup final at Italy 1990 before suffering one of the most painful defeats in the nation's football history. After Andreas Brehme's deflected free-kick had given West Germany the lead, Gary Lineker equalised to force extra time in Turin. With the sides still locked at 1-1, the semi-final was decided by a penalty shootout, in which misses from Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle handed West Germany a 4-3 victory. Bobby Robson's men then faced hosts Italy in the Play-off for Third Place, suffering a 2-1 defeat in Bari.
2018: Extra-time heartbreak against Croatia
England's most recent World Cup semi-final ended in heartbreak. Gareth Southgate's side made the perfect start when Kieran Trippier curled a superb free-kick into the top corner after just five minutes, but Croatia gradually seized control. Ivan Perisic levelled midway through the second half before Mario Mandzukic struck in extra time to seal a 2-1 victory, ending the English dream of a first World Cup final since 1966. The Three Lions went on to finish fourth after losing the Play-off for third place to Belgium.
2026: A chance to rewrite history
Sixty years on from that iconic night in the English capital, England have another chance to etch their names into World Cup history. An extra-time victory over Norway in the quarter-finals has booked the Three Lions a place in the last four, where defending champions Argentina await at Atlanta Stadium. A win there would send Thomas Tuchel's charges into the World Cup 2026 final to face either two-time winners France or reigning European champions Spain at New York New Jersey Stadium on 19 July.
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