England players are said to have been left ‘stunned’ by Thomas Tuchel’s tactics in the Three Lions’ 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the World cup semi-final. Anthony Gordon put England in the driving seat with a brilliant late dash into the box, directing Morgan Rogers’ cross into the back of the net in the 55th minute.
However, the Three Lions collapsed late on and conceded two late goals as Argentina booked their place in a consecutive World Cup final. The Telegraph claims Tuchel’s decision to send on Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn and Nico O’Reilly in an attempt to see out the game and hang onto their lead shocked a number of England stars.
It was a ploy that worked so well for the Three Lions against Mexico in the round of 16, turning in one of their best World Cup displays in recent history with 10 men. However, against a better side in Argentina, England wilted under pressure.
The report claims those in the England ranks felt Argentina were there for the taking after Gordon’s opener and that Lionel Scaloni’s men would have been more open on the counter, playing right into England’s hands. However, instead of bringing on the likes of Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford or Noni Madueke to freshen things up on the flanks, Tuchel went to a 5-4-1.
Ollie Watkins was another left on the bench and it wasn’t until England went 2-1 behind, that Tuchel reacted with attacking substitutions in Rashford and Ivan Toney. The report adds there’s a belief that Declan Rice should have been replaced with an out and out midfielder, rather than a defender, after he went off.
Kobbie Mainoo was left on the bench and has not played a minute all tournament.
Defending his decisions after the game, Tuchel said: “Millions of coaches after the game think that they know better. I have to make a decision, it’s how I analysed the game.
“No regrets. The team gave everything and played one of our better matches, probably our best under the circumstances.”
However, defender Marc Guehi was among those who felt England should have kept the pressure on Argentina. Speaking after the game, he said: “Once we went 1-0 up we seemed to just try and hold on, which at this level is just not enough, so I’m gutted.
“We should have carried on. We should have carried on pushing. It kind of felt like we scored and then the mentality was go back, defend.”