Three days after Jude Bellingham carried England into the World Cup semi-finals with an extra-time winner against Norway, the dream of ending 60 years of hurt was dashed by Argentina. Now Thomas Tuchel’s side must pick themselves up for a bronze final against France – a game the manager admits he takes full responsibility for reaching.
Argentina scored twice in the final five minutes to win 2-1 at Atlanta Stadium, exposing what Tuchel called a team that “got too passive” after taking the lead. On Friday, the German head coach refused to blame his tactics or substitutions. “I take responsibility. This is the death that you sign up for, as I understand it,” he said. “I will not engage in this kind of game. For me, there is no one to blame.”
“England face France for bronze after semi-final collapse; Tuchel accepts blame.”
Just 72 hours earlier, England had been celebrating one of the tournament’s most dramatic moments. In Miami, Bellingham – now on six goals and in contention for the Golden Boot – first equalised Andreas Schjelderup’s cross-cum-shot, then capitalised on Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Håskjold Nyland’s spill of a Morgan Rogers shot to score a poacher’s finish in extra time. It was a victory built on individual brilliance rather than cohesion, but it sent England into the semi-finals.
Now Tuchel has a chance to achieve what Gareth Southgate could not: a third-place finish at a World Cup. Victory over France in Miami would equal England’s best ever finish on foreign soil. The match kicks off at 10pm local time, though thunderstorms are forecast in the hours leading up to kick-off, threatening delays.
Tuchel was unequivocal about the blame for the Argentina defeat, but he also defended his in-game decisions. “We make in-game decisions based on trust, on our competitiveness, on the experience, and on what we actually feel. No one knows the outcome of any other substitution or any other change.”
For England, the bronze final offers a chance to end a tumultuous campaign with a medal – and for Tuchel to prove he can deliver where his predecessor could not.