The Prince of Wales, Prince William, has offered words of encouragement to the England national team following their 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals. The loss, which saw Argentina score two late goals, ended England's tournament run.

Prince William, who is the patron of the Football Association, shared his sentiments via Kensington Palace, stating his "gutted" reaction to the outcome. He acknowledged the team's "fight and belief," calling them the "most complete England team in a tournament" and urged them to "hold your heads high."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also conveyed his disappointment, describing himself as "gutted" by the result. However, he commended the team's "passion and energy" in representing the country, which he said made "us all proud."

The defeat came after England's Anthony Gordon scored a 55th-minute goal, leveling the match following a scoreless first half. Argentina's late surge secured their place in the final against Spain.

Prince William has a well-documented passion for football and is known to be a supporter of Aston Villa FC. His statement concluded with a "Thank you to everyone on and off the pitch, for an incredible tournament."

Sir Keir Starmer had previously referenced the team's build-up to the crucial match during his final address to the House of Commons as prime minister. He reiterated that while the outcome was not what was hoped for, the team had "given it their all."

Other related news indicated that Argentina faced a potential fine for displaying a Falklands banner during their semi-final victory. The article also noted Prince William's "loyal and royal" connection to football, highlighting how he became a superfan.

The "W" signature on Prince William's statement confirmed it was a personal message directly from him. The reactions underscore the emotional impact of the World Cup semi-final loss on prominent figures in the United Kingdom.