England Player Ratings: Tuchel's Late Subs Fail vs Argentina
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- England lost to holders Argentina in Atlanta in the World Cup semi-final, missing out on a first men's World Cup final since 1966 as Argentina came from behind to reach back-to-back finals.
- Anthony Gordon scored the goal that almost took England to the final, with Morgan Rogers providing the assist after being brought in on the right-hand side to press alongside him.
- Jordan Pickford produced an excellent save from a close-range header to keep England in front but was beaten by a Fernandez strike and then Martinez's stoppage-time winner.
- Thomas Tuchel's late substitutions — Konsa at 72 minutes, then O'Reilly and Burn at 82 minutes as England moved to a back five — "didn't work," with both 82nd-minute subs rated 6/10 as England conceded two late goals.
- Reece James was recalled to the starting XI and produced a quality performance going forward and defending, though the whole defence tired before the winner.
- BBC rated Djed Spence, Elliot Anderson, and Gordon as England's top performers at 8/10, while Harry Kane had the fewest touches of anyone on the pitch in the first 45 minutes.
Why it matters: England were within minutes of a first men's World Cup final since 1966, but Tuchel's late substitutions — switching to a back five and bringing on O'Reilly and Burn at 82 minutes — failed to see out the lead, with Argentina scoring twice in the closing stages including Martinez's stoppage-time winner. The defeat extends England's wait and puts Tuchel's game management under scrutiny.
