on July 16, 2026, 10:44 am, in reply to "the whole go and score a second is sheer arrogance"
The moment you fear an opponent too much, you've already lost.
Respect their qualities, yes, but to think England couldn't have carved out at least one other good chance in the last half hour of a game IF they had kept some sort of outlet on the pitch, then I, respectfully, disagree.
Ste
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to think that these players can go toe to toe with Argentina, Spain or France. Its not in their toolbox. You can only have so many moments in a tournament where you counter on good teams mistakes. It wouldn't have happened twice.
You could have not made any subs or gone like for like when they are tired and still had the same outcome is my point. Its not on Tuchel, as others have said a Semi Final lose is just where this team are. Its their level, until we produce ball retainers and get better big game experience in qualifiers and groups. Previous Message
Why take off practically your only out ball option and pull the entire team back to the 18 yard line? Pure insanity. And if you do go for that suicide tactic, why leave Kane on when you could have had Watkins or Rashford who may actually have pushed them back with just the threat of their pace?
Yeah, English players - as ever - are generally not as technically gifted as their counterparts from some other countries, meaning they're not great at controlling games. But they have strengths, too, and you play to those, as Tuchel had done previously. Even with 10 against Mexico he left Gordon on. Previous Message
And England players apart from a few notable exceptions don’t possess that skill it’s always the same blame the manager we sat back blah blah.
People should take their rose tinted glasses off and realise that they weren’t good enough at keeping the ball. Bellingham is a player who everyone seems to rave about however in terms of skill and technique is sadly lacking. Previous Message
Football analysis, post game by ex-players, pundits and fans is all about the narrative. Last night as England scored first has focused on how they and especially Tuchel threw the game away with defensive subs.
But the stats say different.
The first half was an even non event, constant fouls and slow build up from both sides.
The second half started different, England's goal came from a quick break against the run of play. It was their first of only 2 shots on target all game. When they scored Argentina had had 4 and their XG was 2 (compared to England's 0.5).
The tide had already turned before England got their goal on the break. Whether they scored or not, the way Argentina have played in this world cup, scoring at least 2 or 3 goals was going to happen. They had already scored 8 late goals in the previous games.
The narrative was England sat in and the defensive subs made it inevitable. But the bigger problem England already had in the 2nd half was that the majority of the players are unable to hold onto the ball (Like Spain and to a lesser extent Argentina). They have quick fast athletes, but poor ball retainers (its always been thus).
England are incapable of keeping the ball against a top 10 team, always have been. The only way they could have scored a 2nd would have been on the break again, which requires sitting in. They are a moments team from big players and you cant rely on that tactically to win you games.
Really like Tuchel and his interviews are pretty honest. But the media and the country have set the narrative and he may well struggle to keep the job, he'll survive.
Made up for Pickford, don't think he'll pick up the golden glove but he's shown he is a great shot stopper. Not that the sly six agenda against him will stop.
Also for another time, but I think the tournament set up hurt England in the end. There was no gradual improvement in challenge that you should get in a cup competition. They basically played 6 group level games then a Semi against the world no.1. You don't learn and get the right competition experience like that. In every tournament as soon as England get a top 10 team they go out.
Stage Opponent FIFA Ranking
Group Stage Croatia 11th
Group Stage Ghana 73rd
Group Stage Panama 34th
Round of 32 DR Congo 46th
Round of 16 Mexico 14th
Quarter-final Norway 31st
Semi-final Argentina 1st
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