‘Passive’ and ‘crumbled’ – did Tuchel’s defensive tactics cost England?Figure caption, ‘The decisions Tuchel made cost England’ – analysisByNeil JohnstonBBC Sport journalist at the World CupPublished55 minutes agoEngland were on the cusp of reaching their first men’s World Cup final since 1966.They were 1-0 up against reigning world champions Argentina when the clock inside Atlanta Stadium ticked to 84 minutes – and then it all went horribly wrong.Enzo Fernandez equalised with a thumping strike in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martinez headed a 92nd-minute winner – both goals coming from assists by Lionel Messi.Just like that, England’s World Cup dreams lay in ruins.
They had worked so hard to take the lead through Anthony Gordon in the 55th minute – and then sat back and paid the price.
The decision by England boss Thomas Tuchel to go defensive backfired spectacularly.
Instead it is Argentina who go through to Sunday’s showpiece against Spain at New York New Jersey Stadium (20:00 BST kick-off).
But should England have gone for the kill when they went 1-0 up?
They did not – and had just 12% of possession from going ahead to conceding the second goal.
Tuchel only sent on forwards Marcus Rashford and Ivan Toney deep into stoppage time, while defenders Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn and Nico O’Reilly were introduced after the Three Lions took the lead.
“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. This has been the biggest test and we have failed it.”
So why did England sit back when in control against Argentina? And are Tuchel’s second-half tactics to blame for England’s failure to make the final?
