Thomas Tuchel to blame for England loss as decision backfires in Argentina collapse | Football | Sport

‘You’re gonna be the one that saves me’ is what thousands of desperate England fans had been singing to Thomas Tuchel throughout this World Cup. But as the dust settles on England’s latest failure, it’s the German who is looking back in anger after a night that might go down as the biggest regret of his career.

Argentina were the best team across the 90+ minutes. There can be no complaints about the result, and England will have to roll with it. But goodness gracious, that was an almighty missed opportunity for the Three Lions and one that has left fans across the nation crying their hearts out.

Is Thomas Tuchel to blame for England’s collapse?

England were in dreamland when Anthony Gordon put them in front 10 minutes after the restart. Before the tournament, Tuchel spoke about climbing to the summit of a mountain and avenging England’s past World Cup woes.

That Gordon goal in the 55th minute was the peak for England’s World Cup adventure. Everything from that point on was a slippery and terrifying descent to yet more World Cup despair. You can make it 62 years of hurt…

The first change saw Ezri Konsa on for goalscorer Gordon. England switched to a back five and invited pressure. Dan Burn and Nico O’Reilly joined the party shortly after. Yet more space conceded.

Just three minutes after the Burn and O’Reilly changes, Argentina were level. Enzo Fernandez – already a World Cup winner – afforded far too much time to pick his spot and rifle a strike into the top corner.

England couldn’t hold on, and no sooner had the fourth official instructed that nine minutes would be added on than Lautaro Martinez headed home Argentina’s second. The worst bit about it, you could see the collapse was coming a mile off.

Where did it all go wrong for England vs Argentina?

It was like watching a car crash in slow motion. Argentina kept edging closer and closer. Alexis Mac Allister hit the post twice and England looked stunned. Perhaps even star-struck, as Lionel Messi, who continues to illustrate why he’s the greatest to ever grace the game, began imposing himself on the tie.

The little magician might not have scored, but there’s an argument that it was one of his best games at a World Cup. He created both goals, including a sumptuous cross to the back post where Martinez was waiting to head home. Not even 10 Dan Burns would’ve been able to stop that.

But the game was there for England just after going 1-0 up. Argentina – spurred on by their fans – are a side that feeds off emotion. They were silenced early on in the second half when Gordon turned home Morgan Rogers’ cross from deep.

On the two previous occasions Argentina have been pressurised this World Cup, they’ve almost buckled. Egypt had them scrambling at 2-0 down in the round-of-16, and with a bit more quality, they likely get the game over the line.

It was the same for Switzerland in the quarter-final before Breel Embolo’s laughable dive earned the striker a red card. What makes Argentina so entertaining is their vulnerabilities, and England didn’t take advantage of that.

What next for Thomas Tuchel and England?

Tuchel was handed a contract extension for the European Championship, which will be held in the United Kingdom and Ireland. England will still have to qualify for the tournament, but it’s expected the German will remain in his post after reaching the World Cup semi-final.

But it’s likely there will be some shake-up to the team. Harry Kane will be 34 years old by the time the Euros kick off, while John Stones is unlikely to be a starter in the backline.

Regardless, there is still a crop of talented players for Tuchel to build his team around. Football will come home in two years time, and after back-to-back Euros final defeats, maybe it will be third time lucky for England in 2028?