Tuchel under fire after England’s late World Cup collapse
England’s 2-1 semifinal defeat to Argentina has put Thomas Tuchel’s defensive changes under the microscope after two late goals flipped the match.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
England were 37 minutes from a World Cup final. Then Argentina took the ball, took the nerve and took the semifinal.
Thomas Tuchel’s side lost 2-1 in Atlanta after Argentina struck twice late, with Enzo Fernández equalizing before Lautaro Martínez headed in the 92nd-minute winner from a Lionel Messi cross, according to ESPN’s match report.
The turnaround came after England had gone ahead through Anthony Gordon in the 55th minute. From that point until Martínez’s winner, ESPN reported England had only 12% possession, while Argentina controlled 88% of the ball.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said afterward that his team sensed an opening and attacked it. Goalkeeper Emi Martínez also said Argentina felt England were moving further back instead of pushing on, adding that England had changed their plan by putting on extra defenders.
Defensive switch draws heat
Tuchel’s substitutions became the flashpoint. With England leading 1-0, he brought on three defenders: Ezri Konsa for Gordon, Nico O’Reilly for Declan Rice and Dan Burn for Reece James.
ESPN reported that the changes helped Argentina find space. Messi got more room in wide areas, Fernández had space to score the equalizer, and Martínez found the gap between England defenders for the decisive header.
Former England striker Wayne Rooney said the changes had not helped and called himself devastated, while former defender Micah Richards said the tactical call had been wrong, ESPN reported.
Tuchel accepted that criticism would come after defeat. He said he was responsible for his decisions and that there was no value in speculating about what might have happened had he chosen differently.
The England manager said Argentina played with greater risk and rhythm, while England were affected by the feeling that they had plenty to lose. He said his team dropped deep, struggled to remain active, failed to defend crosses well and could not win enough duels or keep the ball.
England’s tournament of late escapes
England had already lived on the edge before the semifinal. ESPN reported they needed two late Harry Kane goals to get past Congo DR, then beat Mexico 3-2 in the quarterfinal after Jarell Quansah was sent off in the 55th minute.
Against Mexico, Tuchel’s switch to a back five helped England hold on. Against Argentina, the same instinct to protect a lead was punished.
England also had injury and selection problems through the tournament. Reece James had a hamstring issue during the Ghana match, Tino Livramento was injured before the tournament, Quansah was hurt against Panama and later suspended after his red card against Mexico.
ESPN reported that Tuchel had taken England to a World Cup semifinal after 16 months in charge, but his mandate was to end the men’s team’s long wait for another world title. The Football Association has already indicated he will remain in charge through Euro 2028, according to ESPN.
For Argentina, the champions move on to another World Cup final. For England, the postmortem starts with a brutal number: 12% possession after taking the lead.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.