England threw away the chance to reach their first World Cup final since 1966 as they conceded twice in the final five minutes against Argentina in Atlanta. Sixty years of pain rumbles on, and this time the rawness of the gut-wrenching defeat leaves a numbness and disbelief at what transpired in those final 15 minutes including stoppage time. If England had surrendered any further, they'd have been camped out in the foyer of the nearby World of Coca-Cola museum.
The blame lies with Thomas Tuchel. His defensive changes invited copious pressure, and presenting Lionel Messi with time and space to work his magic was asking for trouble. The early intelligence suggested England would be outnumbered in Atlanta, but for the best part of 70 minutes, they were comfortable. Then the collapse came.
“Thomas Tuchel's defensive changes cost England as they conceded twice in the final five minutes to lose 2-1 to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final.”
England have now been eliminated every time they have faced a top 10-ranked nation in the knockout stages of the World Cup since 1998. This was supposed to be the World Cup that priced out the diehard, match-going supporters, but the past five weeks had gripped the entire nation, with memories of DR Congo, the iconic night in Mexico City at the Estadio Azteca, and the resilience displayed to defeat Norway in the searing Miami heat. None of those matches should be taken for granted: four-time winners Italy did not even qualify, Germany and Holland underwhelmed.
Tuchel's primary objective was to go the distance, precisely why he was brought in to steer the ship, and he has fallen short. Djed Spence shone in defeat, and John Stones impressed, but Kobbie Mainoo never got a kick as Tuchel's decisions backfired. The Prince of Wales was among the 'gutted' supporters, and Argentina players later brandished a controversial Falkland Islands banner. Wayne Rooney delivered his verdict on the manager's choices. Spain now await the winners, but for England, the catastrophic finale has clouded all the progress made. The cynics will remind that football is about glory, but for now, the numbness remains.
