Oswestry reacts as England crash out of the World Cup

There was a palpable sense of excitement in the town on Wednesday (July 15) as the Three Lions faced Argentina as both attempted to join Spain in the final.

"It’s coming home" could be heard being played and sung out of flats and pubs ahead of the game as everyone hoped that England could reach its first final since 1966.

Pubs in the town centre were full to overflowing, with some having to limit entry due to the number of people out to watch the match.

As the second half got underway, a nervousness kicked in until Anthony Gordon struck it home in the 55th minute.

At this point, a wave of cheers could be heard echoing around the town centre as all the different TV sets caught up with each other.

Fans could be heard chanting Gordon’s name, but as the minutes ticked by, the tension built as Jordan Pickford made a fine save and Argentina built the pressure.

This only increased the tension before Argentina struck back through an impressive strike by Enzo Fernandez.

At this point, fans who spoke to the Advertizer began to lose confidence—“here we go again, I think we’re in trouble.”

Fans made their way home after England lost to Argentina at the World Cup (Image: Ruairi Walsh)

Then seven minutes later, Lautaro Martinez struck again for Argentina and the atmosphere suddenly deflated, and fans started to accept defeat and fell silent as the final whistle blew.

After the match, fans flooded onto the street and had varying levels of heartbreak.

Some made plans to drown their sorrows, others streamed out into cars and made their way home.

One fan said: “As soon as they equalised we were domed. Tuchel had put on too many defenders we couldn’t strike back.”

Another said: “It great to get to the semi final but this is a sad day.”

One fan was surprisingly stoic about the tournament and said: “I have been an England fan all my life, I am used to disappointment.”