Wayne Rooney has slaughtered Thomas Tuchel after the German’s dreadul tactical decisions cost England a shot at winning the World Cup after semi-final defeat to Argentina
Wayne Rooney has slaughtered Thomas Tuchel after the German’s decision cost England a shot at winning the World Cup.
England have heartbreakingly exited the World Cup at the semi-final stage as Argentina mount a late comeback after Tuchel’s awful decision to drop behind the ball and attempt to defend a slender lead.
Gareth Southgate was crucified for sitting back in the 2021 Euros final to Italy and the 2024 Euros final to Spain as England fell short of finally ending 60 years of hurt. Proven winner Tuchel was hired to break that drought, but the German has only managed to see England dumped up in the same fashion as the man he was hired to take one step further than.
Enzo Fernandez smashed home a strike from 20 yards out in the 86th minute after Anthony Gordon opened the scoring in the 55th minute. Tuchel had thrown on the defenders and packed 11 men behind the ball, and England were unable to turn the tide as Lautaro Martinez headed in the winner in the 92nd minute.
Speaking after full-time, Wayne Rooney said: “We’ve crumbled… it started from the manager.”
He added: “Once we got the first goal, we didn’t look to go for the second goal.
“For the players, and for me, Thomas Tuchel made the decision, and when you make the decision it is a gamble. The gamble he made was to go with five at the back, which allowed them to dictate the game. The decisions that Tuchel has made cost us tonight.”
“It’s a panic, it’s a real panic. You can’t go a goal up and then surrender. Surrender the ball and surrender any opportunity of trying to get the second goal. You want to be on the front foot when the pressure is on Argentina to get back in the game.
“If you’re on that pitch, go 1-0 up and then see the changes the manager is making…you are losing belief. There’s only so many times you can get away with it.
“You start thinking ‘we’re going to sit back, how are we going to get through this?'”
Rooney continued: “These fans have spent a lot of money to be out here. I expected more in this game.
“Argentina are the world champions. We knew it was going to be the difference. The changes we made didn’t help us. Devastated. Sometimes you need a bit of luck to win these tournaments.”
Speaking on BBC Sport, Micah Richards agreed, saying: “Thomas Tuchel was brought in to be the difference. Tactically, we all thought he got it wrong today.
“When we went to five at the back. I thought we could have kept the momentum going and brought on wingers. Ultimately, we didn’t have the answers.”