The stakes couldn’t be higher. Billed as the feistiest match of the tournament, it was England’s chance to defeat an infamous rival and break a 60-year curse to secure a men’s World Cup final.

But it was not to be. During a nail-biting second half, Argentina scored the two goals needed to take themselves to the final – and dash England’s World Cup dreams yet again.

At the Castlefield Bowl in Manchester, fans began filtering out minutes before the game ended. More than 8,000 had packed into the music amphitheatre in central Manchester for the match, with fireworks and pink-purple smoke erupting at kickoff and after England’s first goal.

Before the game started, Elham Moghimi and Joe Jones were feeling nervous about how England would fare against Argentina.

“We’ve usually not had great luck, but there’s a lot to play for,” said Moghimi, 31, who was particularly concerned about England facing Lionel Messi for the first time. “His presence alone will just be so psychologically hard.”

“It’s just the biggest game we’ve had in a really long time, and I just really want it to go well,” said Jones, 29. “If it doesn’t, this is the worst team to lose against, out of all the teams.”

“I’m feeling very optimistic. It’s going to be a tough game, but it’s coming home,” said Olivia Crabtree, 25, joined by friends Jodie Ward and Louise Morris. “The energy feels different in England and we’re definitely going to win tonight. If you look around right now, everyone is on their best vibe.”

Boos rang out during the first half, which was packed with plenty of fouls but no goals. “It’s been a very dirty game, and nothing’s been given to them [England]. Nothing’s been given. One yellow at the side at half-time is not enough,” said Millie Smith, a 25-year-old from Manchester, shaking her head.

England scored early in the second half. A deafening roar reverberated through the crowd, followed by a rendition of Don’t Take Me Home.

At the goal, 32-year-old Maria De Napoli, who moved to England from Venezuela seven years ago, was “screaming” with her partner, Victoria Atkinson. “It’s been amazing. I am celebrating this culture that has made me feel at home. Everyone feels united – that’s very special”

The feeling was short-lived. After a dramatic comeback by Argentina in the second half, silence fell across the venue, several fans watching through their fingers.

“It’s a complete shock,” said 26-year-old Christian McElis, a chemical engineering student. “Oh well. I’d love to get us penalties, but even if we do I’ll feel pretty shit inside.”

Raf Bari, a 36-year-old lawyer, felt England had failed to impress throughout the World Cup. “I think if we played against any one of the other top five teams, they would’ve destroyed us. But we’ve at least managed to get through to the [semi-final]. It shows the spirit of the team.”

“To be honest, I’m just happy we’ve made it this far,” Lucas Clapham, 25, with a shrug. “We’ve got to enjoy such a long period in this tournament. We’ve even got another game to play off the third, regardless.”

The England players “deserve a hero’s welcome” for their performance, said Rachel George, 30, who sat outside the now-empty Castlefield Bowl with friends Connor Ford and Amnre Judge.

“I was crying when we lost. It’s very sad, it’s a very sad time. But we go again in four years’ time,” she said. “We had a pub booking for Sunday. We’ll go see the final anyway, we’ll be supporting Spain.”

“People were celebrating too early as well, there were fireworks going off,” said Ford. “But the players should be really proud of their performance.”