England were 84 minutes from a first men's World Cup final since 1966. Anthony Gordon had put them 1-0 up against reigning champions Argentina in the 55th minute, and Atlanta Stadium erupted. Then, in the space of seven minutes, it was over. Enzo Fernandez thumped an 85th-minute equaliser from Lionel Messi's assist, and Lautaro Martinez headed a 92nd-minute winner, again set up by Messi. England had sat back, and paid the price. They had just 12% possession from going ahead to conceding the second goal.
Manager Thomas Tuchel’s defensive switch backfired spectacularly. After Gordon’s goal, he sent on defenders Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn and Nico O'Reilly, and only introduced forwards Marcus Rashford and Ivan Toney deep into stoppage time. “We have crumbled,” former England captain Wayne Rooney told BBC Sport. “It started from the manager and the decisions he made. It was too passive. Against this team, the world champions, you will not get away with it.” Alan Shearer added: “Tuchel played his cards very, very early and it has backfired.” Chris Sutton, a Premier League winner with Blackburn, called it a “coaching catastrophe” and said the German was “negative”.
“Tuchel stays as England boss after 'cowardly' World Cup semi-final exit to Argentina.”
Across social media, the criticism was stinging. Ex-Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas posted on X: “They score the goal and drop back. A cowardly approach.” Germany’s 2014 World Cup winner Thomas Muller said: “I cannot understand how they invited Argentina to play one cross after the other in perfect crossing positions.” Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni admitted his team “smelt blood” after England dropped deep.
Despite the backlash, Tuchel retains the full support of the Football Association and chief executive Mark Bullingham, who issued a statement: “It is heartbreaking to be so close. The players and Thomas gave it everything today.” Tuchel, who signed a two-year contract extension in February that runs until after Euro 2028, said: “The World Cup is not over. There is still a match to play. Of course then we keep on going. I have a contract until the home Euros and I’m looking forward to that.” A third-place playoff awaits, but the debate over whether Tuchel’s negativity cost England a shot at glory will linger long after.