England have crashed out of the 2026 World Cup after Thomas Tuchel's tactical decision backfired against Argentina in Atlanta
England's long wait for a major international success will continue past the 2026 World Cup after Thomas Tuchel's poor tactical decision backfired against Argentina.
Tuchel's side, in the knockout rounds, have hunkered down after taking the lead . However, after inviting pressure onto the backline too soon, Argentina turned around the deficit with two late goals.
And, in cruelly familiar fashion, it finished Argentina 2-1 England at a World Cup - just as it did in 1986 in North America, when Diego Maradona inspired one of the Three Lions' most painful defeats.
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
The opening exchanges of the clash resembled something more similar to trench warfare than an actual game of football.
The worst of the flash points came when Enzo Fernandez, who was furious after he thought Lionel Messi was fouled, clattered into the back of Elliot Anderson. Fernandez, somehow, avoided a card.
And so too did Giuliano Simeone, who seemed more intent to play the man rather than the ball for large periods of the game. England gave as good as they got - Anderson was first in the book after he scythed down Messi.
However, the Three Lions were, at large, refusing to be drawn into Argentina's game of anti-football.
It's a trap that so many teams have fallen into down the years - including England. David Beckham was sent off at the 1998 World Cup when he kicked out Diego Simeone, marking himself as Public Enemy No.1 overnight.
However, Thomas Tuchel's England seemed to be more assured of themselves in Atlanta. And their ability to keep a cool head paid off when Anthony Gordon turned the ball into the back of the net after a Morgan Rogers cross.
Tuchel made the bold decision to start Rogers, despite the Aston Villa star having only made one previous start in the group-stage win over Panama.
There was room in behind both Argentine full-backs, and Rogers found some in the second-half, whipping in an inch perfect ball which found Gordon at the back post.
Tuchel made his decision after the opener: like Mexico, his side would sit in and, hopefully, soak up every Argentine assault at Jordan Pickford’s goal.
The Three Lions sank deeper and deeper into their own box as Argentina grew in confidence. Rodrigo De Paul rattled the post before Nico Gonzalez's header just went wide of the mark.
Pickford dived down low to deny Gonzalez before John Stones got a vital head on the ball. It was attack after attack after attack as England were missing an outlet up top, someone, anyone, to hold up the ball.
And when Fernandez’s strike from the heavens nestled into the back of Pickford’s goal - it was only really one-way traffic. Nine minutes flashed up on the fourth official's board, and the noise ramped up.
Join Gold Star!
Gold Star is the latest chapter in the evolution of the Daily Star. Our ‘premium’ digital service has launched, offering you even more of our brilliant journalism but with even fewer adverts.
And if you do, this is what you’ll get:
- A new ad-lite subscription service offering unlimited access to Gold Star and our app, as well as a cleaner viewing experience with far fewer ads
- Access to exclusive subscriber-only articles crafted specifically for readers who want their stories to dig a little deeper. This will include unique insight from our writers alongside thought-provoking comment
- Bespoke special offers, rewards and competitions from our partners
- Access our Gold Nuggets, the juiciest picks from the Daily Star - no digging required!
- The most fun you can have with a daily news brand anywhere in the world!
Membership starts at £1.99 a month or £12 for the year. These are both Gold Star launch offers for the next 12 months so make sure you don’t miss out.
Alexis Mac Allister was the latest to rattle the post. And it was a case of one attack too many for England as Lautaro Martinez headed the ball into the net.
The ghosts of '66 live on for England and their 60 years of hurt will stretch into another World Cup cycle after Tuchel's side fell agonisingly short.
Instead, it is Argentina who head to New York, where a showdown with Spain awaits as they bid to lift football's ultimate prize.