Thomas Tuchel now has only himself to blame after England’s crushing defeat (Image: Getty)
“It’s you who will save me” are the words thousands of desperate England fans have been singing to Thomas Tuchel throughout this World Cup. But as talk of England’s recent failures has subsided, it is the German who is looking back angrily after a night that may go down as the biggest regret of his career.
Argentina were the best team for over 90 minutes. There is no arguing with this result and England will have to live with it. But thankfully, this was a great missed opportunity for the Three Lions, and one that fans across the country were screaming in their hearts.
Is Thomas Tuchel responsible for England’s collapse?
England were in dreamland when Anthony Gordon took the lead 10 minutes after the restart. Before the tournament, Tuchel talked about climbing to the top of a mountain to avenge England’s past World Cup woes.
Gordon’s goal in the 55th minute was the culmination of England’s World Cup adventure. Everything from that point on was a slippery and terrifying descent into further World Cup despair. It’s okay to keep getting hurt for 62 years…
The first change saw goal scorer Gordon replaced by Ezri Konsa. England switched to a back five and created pressure. Soon after, Dan Byrne and Nico O’Reilly joined the party. Allowed more space.
Just three minutes after Byrne and O’Reilly were substituted, Argentina equalized. Enzo Fernandes, already a World Cup winner, was given too much time to position himself and fire a shot into the top corner.
England were unable to hold on and as soon as the fourth official called for nine minutes of extra time, Lautaro Martinez headed home Argentina’s second goal. The worst part was that I could see the collapse coming a mile away.
There will be no England Day this year – the wait continues (Image: Getty)
What went wrong in England vs. Argentina?
It was like watching a car crash in slow motion. Argentina is getting closer and closer. England looked stunned as Alexis Mac Allister hit the post twice. Perhaps even star-struck as Lionel Messi, who continues to prove why he is the greatest player of all time, started to push himself in this match.
The little magician may not have scored a goal, but there is an argument that it was one of his best games at the World Cup. He produced both goals, including a luxurious cross to the back post that Martinez was waiting to head home. Even a 10-tier Burns wouldn’t have been able to stop it.
However, the match happened just after England had taken a 1-0 lead. Argentina is a team that is supported by its fans and feeds off of emotions. They were silenced early in the second half when Morgan Rogers’ deep cross was turned home by Gordon.
The last two times Argentina were put under pressure at this World Cup, they almost gave up. Egypt were trailing 2-0 in the round of 16, but with a little more quality, they could get over the line.
The same thing happened in the quarter-final against Switzerland, when Briel Embolo’s comical diving resulted in the striker being given a red card. It’s that vulnerability that makes Argentina so interesting, but England didn’t take advantage of that.
It’s not the first time England have been in trouble. (Image: Getty)
What’s next for Thomas Tuchel and England?
Tuchel has been handed a contract extension for the European Championships in England and Ireland. England still need to qualify for the tournament, but the German is expected to remain in his post after reaching the World Cup semi-finals.
However, it is likely that some changes will occur in the team. Harry Kane will be 34 by the start of the Euros, but John Stones is unlikely to be a starter in the backline.
Either way, there are still plenty of talented players that Tuchel can build around. Football returns in two years, but after back-to-back defeats in Euro finals, could 2028 be third time lucky for England?
