ENGLAND only had 12 per cent of the ball between scoring against Argentina and conceding the winner in stoppage time.
For nearly 40 minutes in Atlanta they were utterly battered by the World Cup holders as ‘s tactics went wildly wrong.
England had just 12 per cent possession after scoring against Argentina Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Thomas Tuchel’s subs rebounded Credit: Getty
Despite going ahead after the break through – and being well in the semi-final –.
piled on the pressure and dropped deeper and deeper towards their own goal.
As crosses rained in and shots peppered , .
Enzo Fernandez found the equaliser from range after a short corner caught England out.
And with three new defenders on the field, .
Lautaro Martinez headed in to send England crashing out.
And .
England ratings vs Argentina: Kane quiet when it matters most but Spence shines
ENGLAND’s bid to reach their first World Cup final since 1966 ended in a heartbreaking, yet predictable, defeat to Argentina.
Thomas Tuchel’s side suffered a devastating 2-1 defeat to Lionel Messi and Co at the Atlanta Stadium this evening.
Anthony Gordon sent the travelling Three Lions fans into a state of ecstasy in the 53rd minute when he ghosted in at the back post to tap the ball home inside the 18-yard box.
England tried to protect their lead as Thomas Tuchel made a host of defensive substitutions.
And they inevitably sat way too deep, allowing Enzo Fernandez to rifle the ball past Jordan Pickford in the 85th minute with a rocket from outside the 18-yard-box.
England were shell-shocked and never looked like holding out until extra-time.
And super-sub Lautaro Martinez was at hand to break Three Lions fans’ hearts across the globe with a free header at the back post in the 92nd minute.
Here is how SunSport’s
One said online: “If Tuchel has an ounce of decency he’d resign right now.
“Those substitutions were so negative. It’s Argentina, not with 10 men.”
Another added: “That’s a truly horrendous stat”.
A third wrote: “I mean, that’s just staggeringly bad.”
Someone else replied: “Indefensible. The pressure Jordan Pickford’s goal was under should have told Tuchel to change it and get England out to relieve pressure and cause Argentina some problems.
“Hired to ‘get England over the line.’ Maybe start with the halfway line.”
Someone else commented: “Awful. You can’t be playing a back seven vs Argentina man”.
And the stats don’t get any prettier for Tuchel when you go further.
England had been out passed 252-315 up to the Gordon goal – but that was a remarkable 73-276 after going 1-0 up.
To make matters worse, further Opta digging says that England have been knocked out EVERY TIME they have faced a top-10 ranked team in the World Cup knockouts since 1998.
That has happened on seven occasions, and there is even more unwanted history.
England are the only team to have ever scored first in a World Cup semi and not gone on to win.
The other was at 2018 when ‘s side lost control against .
And .
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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