England participant scores vs Argentina: Tuchel’s subs fail as 5/10s see Three Lions falter

England have exited the World Cup at the semi-final stage against Argentina after Thomas Tuchel’s dreadful tactical decision cost the Three Lions a chance at glory

England have been dumped out in the World Cup semi-final after Thomas Tuchel’s tactical decision to defend a slender lead blew up in his face.

Anthony Gordon sent the country into celebration when he got the wrong side of Nicolas Tagliafico at the back post to turn home Morgan Rogers’ cross.

But Thomas Tuchel again dropped his team back behind the ball and ultimately England were unable to hold out when Enzo Fernandez fired in an equaliser with a 20-yard strike after no one in white reacted to the opening. A shiocking decision to see the match out too soon cost England when Lautaro Martinez headed in unmarked from two yards out. Here, the Daily Star Sport rates the England players.

Jordan Pickford – 6: Produced a great save to deny Nico Gonzalez’s header from six yards out. A taller goalkeeper saves Fernandez’s equaliser. Couldn’t claim Martinez’s winner.

Reece James – 5: Untidy in possession and delivery was poor in the first half. Looked more steady in the second half but withdrawn with another injury problem.

John Stones – 5: Rightly selected, looked assured in possession and will be a target for any club with now a free agent.

Marc Guehi – 5: Calm on the ball as well but lacking physicality in a duel.

Djed Spence – 7: Best player in the first half with smart play in the press and good aggression in the tackle. Put in the tackle of the tournament to thwart Julian Alvarez’s golden opening.

Elliot Anderson – 6: In the thick of the battle, fouled more times than can count in the opening stages.

Declan Rice – 5: No major talking points in a game he had to battle in. Still not fit and it showed when he was withdrawn with 10 minutes to go.

Morgan Rogers – 6: Given the starting role on the right and started brightly but lacked the explosive pace of Saka or Madueke. Created the space brilliantly for Gordon’s goal with excellent footwork.

Jude Bellingham – 6: Worked tirelessly but no reward on a night he did well to keep his cool.

Anthony Gordon – 7: Lively on the ball and determined when driving in possession but didn’t have space to create any real openings. Got his reward when he snuck round the back of the Argentine defence to score.

Harry Kane – 5: Another quiet game when it mattered most. Had no one to play off when Tuchel dropped England deep. Frustrating night.

Subs

Ezri Konsa (Gordon) – 5: Thrown on to see the game threw but failed to do so.

Nico O’Reilly (Rice) – 5: Came on in front of a packed backline, never impressed.

Dan Burn (James) – 5: Brought on to win duels and see the game out but was never there to clear the danger.

Ivan Toney – N/A

Marcus Rashford – N/A