England-Argentina match draws 24m BBC viewers

Nearly 24 million viewers tuned in to watch England's World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina, the BBC reported. The match, which saw England eliminated from the tournament, drew a peak audience of 23.8 million across BBC One and the BBC iPlayer, making it the most-watched television event of the year in the UK. The figure represents a significant portion of the British population, highlighting the nation's deep engagement with the team's performance on the global stage. The high viewership underscores the cultural importance of the World Cup in the UK, where football remains a central part of national identity. The BBC's coverage of the tournament has consistently attracted large audiences, with earlier England matches also drawing millions. Following the defeat, attention now turns to England's next competitive fixtures, as the team looks to build on its World Cup campaign under manager Gareth Southgate.