England's World Cup heartbreak: Late collapse to Argentina stuns Tuchel's side
England were five minutes from reaching the World Cup final after Anthony Gordon's goal, but a late collapse led to a 2-1 defeat to Argentina, leaving manager Thomas Tuchel facing criticism for his defensive tactics.
England's years of hurt extended beyond 60 as they suffered a painful World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina. After Anthony Gordon's 55th-minute goal put them ahead, manager Thomas Tuchel opted for a defensive approach, substituting Gordon for defender Ezri Konsa with 18 minutes left and switching to a back five. This invited relentless Argentine pressure, orchestrated by Lionel Messi. Enzo Fernandez equalized in the 85th minute, and Lautaro Martinez headed the winner in injury time.
Tuchel, appointed after Euro 2024 to deliver a World Cup win, faced heavy criticism. His decision to retreat mirrored the cautious tactics that had previously drawn scorn for his predecessor, Gareth Southgate. Statistics highlighted England's lack of possession—only 12% between taking the lead and Martinez's goal—underscoring the tactical failure.
Tuchel's squad selections also came under scrutiny. He gambled on injury-prone Reece James at right-back, and when James was sidelined, the position became a problem. Trent Alexander-Arnold was overlooked due to defensive concerns, while creative players like Cole Palmer and Phil Foden were left out, despite poor seasons at their clubs. Jordan Henderson, who broke his arm in celebrations, was included for his influence but contributed little on the pitch. The loss felt particularly devastating because Argentina appeared beatable throughout the tournament, yet England squandered a golden opportunity to reach the final.
