Overview
- England lost 2-1 to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final after Anthony Gordon opened the scoring and Enzo Fernández levelled in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martínez scored a stoppage-time winner.
- President Donald Trump, speaking at a FIFA reception on Friday, praised Lionel Messi’s decisive pass and questioned Thomas Tuchel’s decision to deploy captain Harry Kane in a deep defensive role, noting he had played golf with Kane.
- Tuchel said he has no regrets about his second-half choices, explained England had been forced into a low defensive block that pulled Kane deeper, and conceded the team became too passive late in the game.
- Media and pundits have criticised Tuchel’s defensive substitutions and cautious finish, and England now turn to a third-place match against France while Argentina prepare to meet Spain in the final.
- The episode shows how FIFA events and high-profile voices have amplified tactical debate, placing immediate scrutiny on Tuchel’s decisions and the England squad ahead of their next match.