England's hopes for World Cup glory took a hit as Reece James left the pitch with injury concerns during the semi-final clash against Argentina. The defender, who has battled a hamstring issue throughout the tournament, was substituted in the 80th minute after appearing to struggle, prompting immediate medical attention from the England team doctor.

It remains uncertain whether James experienced cramping or a new injury setback. As he approached the byline for treatment, Thomas Tuchel acted quickly to mitigate risks by replacing him with Dan Burn. This substitution was part of a series of defensive adjustments, including the introductions of Nico O’Reilly and Ezri Konsa, all aimed at preserving a 1-0 lead secured by Anthony Gordon's goal in the 55th minute.

However, England's lead slipped away as Enzo Fernandez equalized within the last five minutes of regulation, followed by Lautaro Martinez sealing victory for the 2022 champions, leaving Tuchel's strategy in tatters.

Looking ahead, the fitness of James remains a pressing concern as England prepares for the third-place play-off against France on Saturday. The Chelsea captain had not started a match since a lackluster 0-0 draw with Ghana in the group stage, and his return from injury had been limited to a bench appearance in the quarter-finals against Norway. Tuchel is expected to provide an update on James's condition following the match.