Thomas Tuchel’s tactics criticised after England collapse against Argentina
England led 1-0 but the German’s defensive changes backfired.
England players will have lost belief at Thomas Tuchel’s second-half substitutions in the World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, according to former captain Wayne Rooney.
Anthony Gordon put England ahead early in the second half but was soon withdrawn by Tuchel, who brought defenders Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn and Nico O’Reilly in the final 20 minutes.
His changes backfired as Enzo Fernandez equalised in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martinez struck a stoppage-time winner to seal Argentina’s spot in Sunday’s final.
Speaking on the BBC, former England and Manchester united forward Rooney said: “If you’re an attacking player on that pitch and you go 1-0 up and you see the changes which the manager’s making, you’re losing belief, there’s only so many times you can get away with it.
“Then you start thinking, oh no we’re going to sit back for this long, how are we going to get through this?”
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart also drew tactical comparisons between former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate and Tuchel.
He said: “I think Gareth Southgate will be at home watching this game, he took a lot of criticism when it came to the big moments with England when they had the lead and when they were in big games about shutting up shop.
“I don’t see anything’s changed in that big moment out there.
“Thomas Tuchel, for as much praise as we’ve given him, for him to change it as soon as he did, I think he realised that’s him saying he didn’t believe in his team, he didn’t think they could land any more punches on Argentina.”
BBC commentator Alan Shearer added: “I said it on commentary, they had six defenders on the pitch, (he) played his hand and wanted to hang on.
“Hanging on v Norway and Mexico.. they perhaps don’t have the quality Argentina have in terms of ability on ball and to punish, plus their attitude.
“He played his cards very early in the hope he could hang on and it backfired. Those decisions are the ones which can make such as difference.
“We praised him v Mexico and now we’re going to go the other way… could he have put some pace on? They were physically and mentally done once Argentina got that first goal.”