Saka: England still carry World Cup scar

England winger Bukayo Saka says the team are still carrying the “scar” of their heartbreaking World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina as they prepare to face Spain at Wembley.

Thomas Tuchel’s side were close to reaching their first men’s World Cup final since 1966 before two late Argentina goals condemned them to a 2-1 defeat.

England recovered to beat France 6-4 in the third-place play-off, securing their best World Cup finish in six decades, but Saka admits the disappointment of missing out on the final remains with the players.

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“Obviously, there is still a scar on us when you believed and everyone was so united and so confident we could do it,” Saka said.

“Not just us, but the whole country we felt.

“You try to move on as soon as possible, but you know a scar is a scar, it decides to heal when it heals itself.”

England will face Spain at Wembley on Saturday at 19:45 BST, giving the team an immediate reminder of the tournament and what might have been.

Saka said England are now focused on moving forward as they begin a new international campaign.

“We are trying to draw a line under [the World Cup] now and focus on the new international season that we have coming up,” he said.

“We have got four massive, difficult group games to try and qualify us for the Nations League [knockouts] that we are really focused on.”

Saka also backed his Arsenal team-mate Max Dowman, who is 16, to earn a senior England call-up in the future.

“I think so. His talent is insane. It’s up to him how far he is going to go in football. His talent is crazy,” Saka said.

England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley also praised Dowman’s ability but believes remaining with the Under-19s during the current international window could benefit his development.

“He is more than capable of playing in the under-21s,” Carsley said.

“What I do think will happen with the age group he goes to is that he can play the minutes.

“He can also have that time to consolidate where he is in his career and play with his friends again and take that little bit of pressure off him.”

Carsley added that he expects to discuss Dowman’s development pathway with the teenager and his parents.

“I have no doubt that Max is going to be with the under-21s,” he said. “He is an amazing talent and someone we are very lucky to have.”

England will now turn their attention to Spain and their Nations League campaign as they look to move beyond the disappointment of their World Cup semi-final exit.