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Mornings from 10am todayEngland coach comes under fire after Argentina collapse
Press Association • July 16th, 2026 10:39 am
Thomas Tuchel's tactics after going up against Argentina are being questioned by ex-England greats | Photo: EPA
England players will have lost belief at Thomas Tuchel's second-half substitutions in the World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, says former captain Wayne Rooney.
Anthony Gordon put England ahead early in the second half on Thursday (NZ Time) in Atlanta, but was soon withdrawn by Tuchel, who brought on defenders Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn and Nico O'Reilly in the final 20 minutes.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 an added-time winner to seal Argentina's spot in Monday's (NZ Time) final against Spain.
England goalscorer Anthony Gordon cuts a dejected figure after the loss in Atlanta | Photo: EPA
England's defensive approach to holding a lead carried eerie echoes of their Euro 2020 final loss to Italy, with former boss Sir Gareth Southgate criticised in some circles for his tactical approach.
They fell on their swords again under Southgate in the the Euro 2024 final against Spain, with the manager again criticised for his tactics.
"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," former England and Manchester United forward Rooney said on the BBC.
"Then you start thinking, oh no we're going to sit back for this long, how are we going to get through this?
"It's a panic, it's a real panic ... If you let players of that quality have the ball around your penalty box, sooner or later they're going to score."
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart also drew tactical comparisons between Southgate and Tuchel.
Thomas Tuchel talks to his players during the first hydration break | Photo: EPA
"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," Hart said.
"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."
Former England striker and skipper Alan Shearer added: "I said it on commentary, they had six defenders on the pitch, (he) played his hand and wanted to hang on.
"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."
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