England's World Cup campaign came to a devastating end after a late comeback by Argentina, with many critics pointing to manager Thomas Tuchel's tactics as the reason for the defeat. Tuchel's side had taken the lead through Anthony Gordon's second-half goal, but their decision to retreat and defend led to Argentina equalizing in the 85th minute and scoring a winner in injury time.
The loss has sparked widespread criticism of Tuchel, with some calling for his immediate dismissal. Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara accused Tuchel of "bottling it" against Argentina, saying that the German's decision to go defensive too early was to blame for England's exit. O'Hara believes that Tuchel should be sacked, citing the team's failure to utilize its attacking potential.
Tuchel had signed a contract extension with England in February, committing to stay in the job until the end of Euro 2028. However, his tactics in the World Cup have raised questions about his ability to lead the team to success. Ex-England striker Chris Sutton also criticized Tuchel, saying that his negative approach to the game was the reason for the team's defeat.
With Tuchel's future in doubt, speculation has begun about potential replacements. Pep Guardiola is currently the favorite to take over as England manager, followed by Eddie Howe and Lee Carsley. Tuchel, meanwhile, has acknowledged that his team's performance was disappointing, saying that they became too passive after scoring and conceded too many chances.
Argentina's victory sets up a World Cup final against Spain, who defeated France to advance to the championship match. The final will be played on Sunday, with Argentina seeking to win their fourth World Cup title and Spain aiming to claim their second.
The fallout from England's defeat will likely continue in the coming days, with Tuchel's future as manager hanging in the balance. As the team reflects on what went wrong, they will also begin to look ahead to the future and the challenges that lie ahead. For now, the focus will be on the World Cup final and the battle between Argentina and Spain for the championship.
