England players carrying World Cup scar – Saka

Bukayo Saka, the England winger, acknowledges that the team is still bearing the "scar" from their heartbreaking World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina. Despite being on the brink of history, England lost 2-1 to Argentina in a dramatic match. A 6-4 win over France in the bronze medal game marked England's best World Cup finish in six decades, but the journey to their second trophy 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 stated. "Not just us, but the whole country we felt."

The young England team will face the reigning world champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday for the first of four Nations League matches in the coming weeks. Saka emphasizes that they are trying to put the World Cup behind them and concentrate on the upcoming international season, with a focus on qualifying for the Nations League knockouts.

Saka believes that Arsenal teammate Max Dowman, just 16 years old, will eventually earn a senior England call-up. "His talent is insane," Saka says. "It's up to him how far he is going to go in football. His talent is crazy."

England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley agrees with Saka on Dowman's "amazing talent." However, Carsley believes that keeping the young player with the under-19s during this international window is the best option. "He is more than capable of playing in the under-21s," Carsley said. "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." Carsley is confident that Max will be with the under-21s and is keen to discuss his pathway with the youngster and his parents.