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Wayne Rooney led the criticism of Thomas Tuchel’s substitutions in England‘s World Cup semi-final defeat after the Three Lions collapsed against Argentina.
England had taken the lead in the 56th minute through Anthony Gordon, but opted to try and hold on to their advantage rather than add to it.
Tuchel went to a back five that served him so well in the last-16 win over Mexico, with Ezri Konsa coming on for the goal scorer in the 72nd minute to join Reece James, John Stones, Marc Guehi and Djed Spence.
They found themselves on the defensive, and Dan Burn was later introduced too when Reece James left the field injured.
England were then heavily under the cosh, and Enzo Fernandez and then Lautaro Martinez scored to break English hearts once again.
Speaking after the game, an emotional Rooney suggested England were unable to deal with the pressure of going ahead in the game.
Wayne Rooney admitted Thomas Tuchel’s tactics backfired as England were dumped out of the World Cup
Rooney blamed England’s defeat on the manager’s decision to go defensive early doors
‘We got ourselves in such a good position and we didn’t know what to do,’ he said on BBC. ‘We sat back, allowed them to come on to us. They put us under pressure and we cracked. As soon as they got the first goal, it was inevitable they’d get the second.
‘When you go on top, you have to stay on top. We go 1-0 up, then sit back, make changes, go five or six at the back. If you allow (Lionel) Messi and Argentina to come onto you, you’re asking for trouble.’
He later added: ‘When we had the ball, we had no outlet. We kept kicking it long.
‘When Tuchel made those changes, the players on the pitch would’ve been thinking, “oh no”. They’d have known what was coming. They would’ve needed a massive amount of luck to see the game out.’
England had enjoyed success with a defensive set-up against Mexico when they went down to ten men, but faced a tougher task against the world champions.
The likes of Messi were able to get more control of the game, and England suffered the consequences.
Former Three Lions goalkeeper Joe Hart added: ‘They went back to what they did against Mexico and Norway and locked the door. but that freed up Lionel Messi and he absolutely ran the show for the last 15 minutes.
‘As soon as that first goal was scored, and England had made the changes they’d made, it was only going to go one way.’
Tuchel made defensive changes when the Three Lions were ahead, with his side losing 2-1
Alan Shearer agreed that Tuchel’s changes cost his side in the game, with England struggling to create chances even after they went behind.
The Three Lions will now face France in a third-place play-off on Saturday.
‘What has worked so many times throughout this tournament, the manager’s decisions and going to that back five, it’s backfired in the last 10 or 15 minutes. It’s been backs to the wall, they’ve not been able to get out at all. They’ve been punished.’
England captain Harry Kane, meanwhile, said after full-time that ‘trying to hold on’ is ‘not enough at this level’.
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