After the extreme joy of winning against Norway in the quarter-finals, England lost to arch-enemy Argentina. – There were no referee errors or cables that ruined, but some tactical blunders by national team manager Thomas Tuchel. England’s biggest star and goalscorer Harry Kane agreed with most of the criticism and his own lack of delivery.
England will face France, who were the World Cup’s biggest favourites for the bronze final on Saturday.
The future is uncertain for more than the national team manager!
Atlanta, Georgia: Harry Kane refuses to close the door on another World Cup – despite another heartbreaking exit.
England lost 2-1 to Argentina in the semi-finals after two assists from Lionel Messi in injury time. Now the whole football world is asking: Was this the farewell of England’s greatest player of all time?
“You know me as a person. I always take things year by year,” said a clearly affected Kane after the game.
“The national team is my pride and joy. That’s what I love the most – more than anything. Four years is a long way in the future, and as you can see with Messi, he is still performing at the very highest level. I will never set a limit to what I can achieve.
So close – and so far away
It looked bright for England for 55 minutes. Anthony Gordon sent the Whites into the lead after a brilliant pass from Morgan Rogers, and the dream of a final against Spain felt within reach.
But then what has happened so many times before happened: England withdrew.
Five full-backs turned into six. The pressure was replaced by passivity. And against Argentina, with Lionel Messi in great form, it’s a recipe for disaster.
“It’s a similar story to previous championships,” Kane acknowledges.
“We struggled to keep the pressure on the ball and keep the ball ourselves. It’s a normal mindset to try to hold on to a one-goal lead, but with 20 minutes left plus extra time, it’s always a long time.
Read on Sporten: Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen hammer Thomas Tuchel – “The decisions cost us”
The experts: “Tuchel was wrong”
The BBC’s panel of experts was unanimous in its criticism of Thomas Tuchel’s tactical move.
“We sat on our heels and let Argentina come at us,” says Wayne Rooney disappointed.
“They created chances, put on pressure, we couldn’t get out – and then we conceded goals. It was inevitable that they would score the second.
Micah Richards was even clearer:
“Tuchel was brought in to be the difference. Tactically, we have all thought he was wrong when he went to five behind. We could have kept the momentum and put in edges that could have pushed higher. Instead, we didn’t have the answers.
Messi – the difference between success and failure
Because it’s about more than tactics. It’s all about Lionel Messi.
“Argentina has Messi – the greatest of all time,” says Richards.
“At first, it looked like he didn’t do much. But then he activated himself on the right side and served up two assists. It is remarkable what he can do. He walks around the pitch for 80 minutes, and then he comes to life when the ball comes to his feet.
Enzo Fernandez equalised with a dream strike from long range in the 85th minute, before Lautaro Martinez headed in the winning goal in the second minute of injury time after another magical Messi assist.
“We have been so close in four or five championships
The match was in many ways a reflection of England’s fate in the last championships: lead, then collapse.
“It’s probably been the missing piece in four or five championships now,” Kane says honestly.
“We won and lost together. That’s the way it is. Right now, it is difficult to process everything.
England will have to go home without the long-awaited final – the first since 1966. For Kane and the gang, it’s another reminder of how thin the line is between triumph and tragedy in football’s biggest tournament.
“I’m devastated for all the guys, all the employees and everyone behind the scenes. They put so much effort into making this a successful national team,” says Kane.
“When you’re so close – ten plus minutes away – and it slips out of your hands like that, then the guys are devastated. But we have to take it in stride. That’s the only thing we can do against a fantastic Argentina team.
Thanking the fans
Despite the pain, Kane had warm words for the English supporters.
“A big thank you to all the fans who traveled here. We know how much people have sacrificed to support us, and we are devastated for you too,” he says.
“We gave everything – every drop of blood, sweat and tears. All to reach that final and give the fans something to cheer about. But we just fell short.
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