England had high hopes of reaching their first World Cup final in six decades. An impressive performance and a precise finish from Anthony Gordon gave them a 1-0 lead over reigning champions Argentina in the second half.
The English team played assertively, silencing the largely Argentine crowd. All they needed was to secure the match in the final stages to face Lamine Yamal and Spain in the final.
However, Thomas Tuchel opted for caution, urging his team to focus on defense after Gordon’s goal. This approach led to England forming a defensive wall around goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. With 15 minutes left, Tuchel strengthened the defense further, essentially inviting Argentina to attack.
“We focused too much on defense and couldn’t handle Argentina’s attacks,” said one analyst.
Argentina, undeterred, launched relentless attacks. Enzo Fernandez equalized with a long-range strike, leaving England struggling to regroup. Lionel Messi later set up another goal, securing his third World Cup final appearance in four tournaments.
Tuchel received significant criticism for the tactical choices. England had a chance to control the semifinal and push for another goal but played a defensive game that suited Argentina.
Now, England will play against France on Saturday in Miami for a third-place finish. While not the desired outcome, a win would mark their best result since their 1966 victory.