Bukayo Saka Discusses Lingering World Cup Heartbreak for England

England winger Bukayo Saka has stated that the national team is still dealing with the emotional aftermath of their World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina, describing the experience as a lingering "scar."

The team was nearing a historic World Cup final appearance, the first for England's men's side since 1966, before conceding two late goals to Argentina, resulting in a 2-1 defeat. Despite securing a third-place finish with a 6-4 victory over France in the bronze medal match, the wait for a World Cup trophy continues.

"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 faces immediate competition as they prepare to host world champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday, marking the start of four Nations League fixtures over the next two weeks. "We are trying to draw a line under [the World Cup] now and focus on the new international season that we have coming up," Saka added. "We have got four massive, difficult group games to try and qualify us for the Nations League [knockouts] that we are really focused on."

In other news, Saka expressed his belief that his Arsenal teammate Max Dowman, aged 16, is on track for a senior England call-up. "I think so," Saka commented. "His talent is insane. It's up to him how far he is going to go in football. His talent is crazy."

England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley echoed Saka's sentiments regarding Dowman's "amazing talent" but suggested that the player remaining with the under-19 squad for the current international window is the most beneficial path. "He is more than capable of playing in the under-21s," Carsley stated. "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. I have no doubt that Max is going to be with the under-21s. That is something I am keen to have a conversation with him and his parents, on the way we see his pathway going, because he is an amazing talent and someone we are very lucky to have."