Argentina were stunned by England’s response to taking the lead in their World Cup semi-final and were shocked by the defensive nature of Thomas Tuchel’s substitutions, having specifically prepared themselves for the introduction of pace in the second half.
The Independent understands Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni was braced for the introduction of one of Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke, if not both. Scaloni and his staff were aware that their side’s main vulnerability is when a game is stretched, leaving them vulnerable to speed in behind.
Argentina players remarked afterwards that they feared this exact scenario following Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute goal, only to gradually realise that England were dropping deeper and deeper.
Scaloni and his staff were still preparing themselves for one of Saka or Madueke to come on by the second hydration break, but then saw how Tuchel was planning to introduce a series of defensive-minded players, further removing England’s out-balls and threat on the counter-attack.
It meant Scaloni felt free to go even more attacking – including bringing on match-winner Lauturo Martinez for left-back Nicolas Tagliafico – to eventually win the game in stoppage time.
Ezri Konsa came on for Anthony Gordon in the 72nd minute as Tuchel switched to a back five. Dan Burn and Nico O’Reilly then replaced Reece James and Declan Rice, respectively, in the 82nd minute.
It was only in the 90th minute, after Enzo Fernandez had scored a long-range equaliser for Argentina, that another forward was introduced in Marcus Rashford for Djed Spence and Ivan Toney for John Stones. England also only had 12 per cent of the possession in between Gordon’s opener and Martinez’s winner.
On seeing Tuchel’s first change and its impact – with Argentina enjoying more and more territory and chances – Scaloni abandoned plans to keep a defensive measure in store. The coach saw that he no longer needed a specialist left-back against English pace, so went for broke with Martinez coming on for Tagliafico on 81 minutes, and 62nd-minute sub Nico Gonzalez going to left-back.
England’s tactical decisions were a huge subject of discussion among Argentina players amid their celebrations, with particular surprise at how quickly Tuchel went to five at the back and how neither Saka nor Madueke played a single minute in the match. The players had been reminded of the qualities of both at half-time.
It also seemed to surprise several England players, with captain Harry Kane even remarking the approach of trying to “hold on” to a 1-0 lead was “not enough at this level”. That sentiment was echoed by centre-back Marc Guehi, who said: “We should have carried on pushing. It kind of felt like we scored and then the mentality was go back, defend.”
The FA are nevertheless understood to feel that England’s elimination was not the fault of Tuchel’s tactical decisions, as they press ahead trying to win a home Euro 2028 under the German. Chief executive Mark Bullingham has privately expressed his satisfaction with the manager’s overall performance.
There is a belief within the FA that Tuchel is also attempting to evolve some cultural issues within the team. One theory that has grown is how the players almost felt a natural instinct to withdraw, despite the manager visibly doubling and then trebling down on this.
Tuchel, who signed a contract extension in February that will take him to Euro 2028, spoke about this very issue following the defeat to Argentina. Asked whether it is possible to change the English mentality, he said: “If it happens then it has to be changed.
“But I’m not sure, I always try to think in football terms, in football matters. I haven’t seen the data yet but I think right after the goal, the momentum swings completely in ball possession, chances and it drops dramatically.
“We got too passive within our structure. I tried to help, not to become more passive with a back five but to be more active, to be quicker out to the wingers, not to open up the gaps between the back four.
“We encouraged everyone to step out, to be more active within the structure, but we just struggled. We couldn’t find any duels any more which was why we dropped deeper and deeper, which was never the plan but it happened. We needed to get back on the ball otherwise you cannot break the pressure and you cannot get the momentum back.
“I think ball possession plays a crucial role. It’s maybe not in our DNA like it is in the Spanish DNA or Argentinian or Brazilian DNA to take the ball, control the game and the ball, which is also a big problem.”
