Key events
Thomas Tuchel might have delivered mixed messages after the semi-final defeat to Argentina, but our own Jacob Steinberg was clear in his thinking the England head coach had not earned a free pass.
double quotation markThis was a tale as old as time. There was a chance for England to push on after Anthony Gordon fired them ahead early in the second half, but they reverted to type. The mentality was passive and they looked scared to win. No one put a foot on the ball and offered control. Harry Kane? Invisible in another game. The midfield? Outplayed, outrun and outclassed by Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández. Thomas Tuchel? Outwitted by Lionel Scaloni, whose substitutions made a difference, and too quick to retreat when there was so long left for England to defend their lead.
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Thomas Tuchel had already shown this week he’s not someone who is prone to mere pleasantries after a game. The head coach shouldered the blame for England becoming too passive after taking the lead against Argentina, but at the same time said he had “no regrets”.
double quotation markI don’t believe so much in an English thing and a curse or whatever. It’s repeating itself in different moments. It’s different coaches, different players, different situations.
What cost us today was that we were not active enough in any structure. I can understand these discussions are out there and of course a million coaches after the game know it better. You can discuss this with a million coaches. I have to make a decision on the pitch. It’s how I analyse the match and I take the responsibility.
At the moment no regrets.
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pping has had enough time to analyse where it all went wrong for England:
“What surprised me most about this game was that I was surprised by it. I was surprised that Argentina started the shithousery in the first minute, when I should have expected it. It was smart, they went after the younger guys, the guys most likely to get thrown off by it, or see the red mist …
“I was surprised that Tuchel tried to hold the one goal lead, this wasn’t Mexico, we had seen the threat already. I was surprised Tuchel didn’t seem to grasp that Harry Kane isn’t fast enough to be the pressure relief for the low block, but you would rather have him on than off.
“I was surprised that there was no review of the goal – Messi clearly caught Spence late, and the usual completely irrelevant bollocks – no intent, a coming together, limping on the wrong leg, etc. When we’d seen VAR rewind to the previous days training to find a foul in the build up to other goals. I was also surprised by how many people thought Messi had a great game. He was largely invisible, in the pocket of Spence/Anderson/Rogers, etc. He had more meaningful touches on England players than the ball.
“Mostly I’m surprised that I keep coming back, only to fall out of love with what the game has become … See you in two years for the Euros. Maybe. Might just go back to watching the local club.”
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Updated at 02.38 EDT
It will of course be tough for the England players, and broader camp, to come to terms with giving up a 1-0 lead and a spot in the World Cup final in the dying stages of their semi-final against Argentina. But the pain is likely all too familiar for them and their fans.
David Wall is among the first to write in and presents an admirably considered view: “A number of people have said this, but I think this is more disappointing than previous defeats at a similar stage in tournaments. Southgate was criticised for not acting and making changes to stop England becoming more defensive and passive after they went ahead in games. But here Tuchel made a conscious choice to become more defensive and passive after they went ahead.
“Rather than being unable to stop us edging back to the edge of the cliff he actively lowered us down over the edge to cling on by our fingertips. He seemed to assume that because that approach worked against Mexico and Norway in very different conditions [i.e. with 10 players or in exhausting heat and humidity] it would work here. His post-match interview didn’t seem to recognise that. Perhaps that’s just because it was immediately after the final whistle but if we’re going to do better in the next Euros then he needs to so he doesn’t make a similar decision again.”
England head coach Thomas Tuchel gives instructions to Jude Bellingham. Photograph: Agustín Marcarian/ReutersShare
The Argentina players could not resist doubling down on their triumph over old rivals England as they celebrated their World Cup win with a banner saying “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, making reference to the 1982 Falklands war. Lisandro Martínez and Giovani Lo Celso held up the banner, grinning, and waved to fans in the stands.
Fifa’s stadium code of conduct bans “banners, flags, flyers, apparel and other paraphernalia that are of a political, offensive, and/or discriminatory nature” inside stadiums, so expect to hear more about this one either way.
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The emotions were the polar opposite in Argentina including in Buenos Aires where tens of thousands of fans flooded the streets to celebrate the side’s win over England.
Some screamed, others cried – and the most frenzied sprinted shirtless through the streets, their bodies painted in blue and white national colours. Young men and women scaled lamp-posts and traffic lights, waving Argentina flags in a collective eruption of joy.
Argentina fans flood the streets of Buenos Aires to celebrate win over England – videoShare
The England captain had little influence on the game against Argentina and fell well short of his usual high standards. Barney Ronay pulled no punches in saying, “Harry Kane basically did some light cardio quite close to a World Cup semi-final”.
Kane then had to try to find the words to explain the defeat and the heartbreak that the players and wider England camp were feeling in the immediate aftermath, saying: “I think there’s not much to say. For now, everyone has to process what’s just happened.”
‘Gutted’ Harry Kane on Messi, Argentina and devastation of World Cup exit – videoShare
Updated at 02.01 EDT
Barney Ronay was at Atlanta Stadium as Lionel Messi helped turn the game against England. The Argentina captain only occasionally breaks into a run these days. He often looks bored by what is unfolding around him. But it is hard to imagine Messi as anything other than the most impactful footballer on the pitch even as he is about to become the oldest outfield player ever to appear in a World Cup final.
double quotation markTo strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. Well, not to this lot anyway. On a day of ceaseless rolling noise under Atlanta’s vast refrigerated dome, England reached the end of the road, the end of their own capacities at this World Cup, the end of the gears within this team. Mainly they ran into Lionel Messi, who wasn’t ready to be done just yet. Not like this anyway.
With 55 minutes gone England were actually winning this game, 1-0 up thanks to Anthony Gordon’s goal, the only real moment of clarity they produced all match. At which point they simply disappeared as an animate entity from the stage.
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Lionel Messi will play in a third World Cup final at the age of 39 after helping to drag Argentina over the line with a pair of assists in their semi-final win against England.
But was Messi’s effervescent best enough to earn a perfect rating? And what score did England’s captain Harry Kane earn as his side failed to hang on to their spot in a World Cup final in the dying stages? Ed Aarons was at Atlanta Stadium marking the players as the action unfolded.
double quotation markJude Bellingham Fired up from the start, came close to losing his rag in injury time – couldn’t save England this time.
Anthony Gordon Has come of age at this tournament. Will never forget scoring in a World Cup semi-final.
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There was pleasure and pain inside Atlanta Stadium and far beyond. Here is a little taster with a full picture gallery of shots from the England and Argentina semi-final below …
Joy for Lionel Messi as Argentina come from behind to defeat England in a World Cup semi-final. Photograph: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty ImagesArgentina fans celebrate during the World Cup semi-final against England. Photograph: DeFodi Images/ShutterstockLionel Messi and Argentina teammates celebrate after defeating England in a World Cup semi-final. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Danehouse/Getty ImagesEngland captain Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham face reality after semi-final defeat to Argentina. Photograph: Dave Shopland/ShutterstockShare
Preamble
Martin Pegan
And then there were two. Whether you’ve been celebrating Argentina’s come-from-behind triumph or commiserating England’s World Cup exit with a heavy heart, the focus will soon turn toward the final between the reigning champions and Spain.
But before we reach that point, there is still time to catch up on Argentina’s semi-final win against England, and all that happened and was said in the aftermath of yet another memorable World Cup clash between the bitter rivals.
And where better to start than David Hytner’s report from the thrilling match at Atlanta Stadium.
double quotation markEngland’s destiny is tournament heartbreak. The only question concerns when it comes and how the fates will contrive to make it as painful as possible. This was an implausibly brutal new low.
If you have any thoughts on the World Cup semi-finals, early predictions for the final or just feel the need to vent – shoot me an email, or find me on Bluesky @martinpegan.bsky.social. Let’s get into it!
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