There is no doubting Thomas. At least, that is, if you are Thomas.
For Tuchel, this absurdly bi-polar victory will be vindication, silencing the boos that tarnished his name before kick-off and the chorus of criticism that has followed him since Wednesday’s semi-final defeat by Argentina. He has delivered England’s best World Cup finish since 1966. Not quite the second star he promised, but a first bronze medal. With the German, it will always be his way or the freeway.
But for those who have formed that mass choir of inspection in recent days, they too will see this as justification. Look what happens when you attack a lead rather than defend it, Thomas? For them, there will be regret. There will be anger, even, at a 6-4 win over the tournament favourites. They will also point to England’s second-half collapse as evidence of tactical cowardice and an inevitable retreat. That is what this flash referendum on the country’s head coach has caused amid the fallout of Argentina.
Tuchel called the split among supporters ’50-50’ on the eve of the game, an interpretation that was both favourable and naive. When his appearance on the big screen stirred jeers from a Miami crowd of far more white than blue, it would have stung.
But the response of his team was louder still, and that moved both the manager and his assistant Anthony Barry. At half-time, with the score at a barely believable 4-0 to England, Barry said: ‘I can’t find the words about how proud I am of those players. We’re playing a game with broken hearts, 11 lads with broken hearts.
‘I’ve seen them in the hotel in the last few days with broken hearts. The cynics will say it’s too late but we still play against a world-class opponent and I’m so proud of the boys.’
Bukayo Saka netted a hat-trick to help England secure their best World Cup finish since 1966
After defeat to Argentina on Wednesday, England competed with ‘broken hearts’ to claim third place in Miami
Kylian Mbappe was unable to help France end on a high in an eye-popping end to both nations’ World Cup journey
The cynics will say it is too late. Where was this bravery when it was needed at 1-0 up in Atlanta? Where was Bukayo Saka against Argentina? Here he was sending Theo Hernandez for the baguettes every time he got the ball. So much so, the full-back was hooked at half-time. Saka had scored twice by then. Come the end, he had a hat-trick. Individually and collectively, England were inspired. At least for 45 minutes they were.
We had, mistakenly, thought that Tuchel’s performance in his pre-match press conference would be more significant than anything that played out on the pitch. There, we got an insight into his thinking having had time to reflect on Argentina. And his thinking was exactly the same as it was in the immediate aftermath – England’s exit was not on him. Yes, he would take responsibility, but he was not responsible. There is a subtle difference, yet it is one that would have landed like a sledgehammer in the dressing-room. After parking the bus in Atlanta, this felt like he was chucking his players under it.
Tuchel’s subsequent team selection had an uneasy whiff of self-preservation. Seven changes and no Harry Kane or Jude Bellingham. Surely we could not criticise him if the reserves did not perform? France had Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise in their XI.
England’s start, then, was a shock. They played with freedom, adventure and precision. Goodness, they were brave on the ball. When they took the lead in the third minute, it was overdue, such was the purpose with which they began.
Declan Rice intercepted a ball on halfway and, when France’s efforts to recover the situation amounted to nothing more than a Gallic shrug, the midfielder took that as an invitation. He drove into the space in front of him, composed himself 25 yards out and slammed into the bottom corner.
Thomas Tuchel received heaping criticisms after defeat to Argentina and was somewhat subdued in Miami
Didier Deschamps oversaw his last ever match in the France dugout but could not see out a final win
Declan Rice was the first name on the scoresheet just minutes after the match kicked off
Mbappe did at least help bolster his Golden Boot credentials by establishing a two-goal lead to contender Lionel Messi
Jude Bellingham was a later substitute and the final scorer as England closed their World Cup chapter Stateside
What to do now? Bring on Dan Burn? Switch to five at the back? There were only 87 minutes to see out. No, England went for a second. They puffed out their chests, gloved up and sought to land another blow. Quick learners, this lot.
Marcus Rashford saw a shot deflected, likewise Saka, who also had a goal disallowed for offside. There were chances at the other end – Dean Henderson saved well from Ryan Cherki – but there would have been France opportunities, too, had England sat back. Instead, here they were, on their feet and marching forward.
In the 18th minute, Rice delivered teasingly from a corner, in a way he had not done since the opening game, and Ezri Konsa flashed a header into the far corner. There were two more before the break and neither goal was at all a surprise. Rashford teed up Saka to finish after the pair burst in behind and Saka rolled an easy fourth after being sprung clear by Eberechi Eze.
Never did we know, however, how dangerous a 4-0 scoreline can be. From the start of the second half, seemingly without instruction from Tuchel, England’s back four set up camp in their own penalty. And so came the invaders.
Mbappe ran away from Konsa to collect an Olise pass for 4-1. Mbappe turned provider when Bradley Barcola escaped Jarell Quansah for 4-2. Mbappe then finished after France knitted passes around a ragged England, and all of this before the 67th-minute drinks break. At 4-3, you could hear the knives sharpening from across the Atlantic.
But England reached into their own cutlery draw and found a blade of their own. Djed Spence charged into the area in the 86th minute and was tripped by Malo Gusto. Saka stepped up to slot home from the penalty spot for his hat-trick. Ousmane Dembele then smashed a French fourth before Bellingham danced through the goalmouth for England’s sixth. With that, the World Cup wooden spoon was theirs.
Tuchel will likely use it to bat away the doubters.
