England’s World Cup defeat draws peak audience of 24 million
Biggest audience for a live broadcast since the Euro 2020 final tuned in for Argentina heartbreak.
England’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina drew a peak audience of 24 million people on the BBC on Wednesday evening.
England led in Atlanta through Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute goal, raising hopes of a first men’s World Cup final appearance since 1966.
However, the team buckled under the pressure of wave after wave of Argentina attacks as Enzo Fernandez equalised with five minutes left and Lautaro Martinez headed the winner in injury time.
It was the highest-rated live television event of the year, with an average audience of 22.1m on BBC1 and the BBC iPlayer, and the biggest live television audience for a live event since 2021, when England lost to Italy in the Euro 2020 final.
Mark Chapman fronted the BBC’s coverage live from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with presenters and pundits having been based at the corporation’s Salford studios for earlier rounds.
He was joined by former England internationals Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart and Micah Richards.
The World Cup final will be broadcast live on the BBC and ITV on Sunday evening.
Gabby Logan will front the BBC’s coverage of the final, with Chapman returning to the UK to lead Radio 5 Live’s coverage of the final day of the Open Championship golf.