Matchday Recap — July 15

Match synthesis:

Starting with the 2018 World Cup, England, like France, have now reached four World Cup or European Championship semifinals or finals—and have nothing to show for it. When England surrendered a lead and lost 2–1 to Croatia in the 2018 World Cup semifinal, I blamed the players. I thought they shrank into their inferiority complex and allowed the moment to overwhelm them. Today, after England again surrendered a lead—this time against Argentina—I blame the coach. For most of the match, England held their own. They played with balance, doggedness and fighting spirit. They were just 30 minutes away from playing for all the marbles. Then Thomas Tuchel panicked. He chose the surest route to losing a high-stakes football match, especially against this Argentina team: he went onto the back foot, abandoned what was working, removed attackers for defenders, and invited Argentina to spend the next half hour camped in England’s half. What followed was as inevitable as Victoria Beckham’s carefully composed celebrations. Wave after wave of Argentine pressure came. England retreated deeper. The post rattled. The dam creaked. Then, in the 85th minute, Enzo Fernández unleashed a thunderbolt, and the dam finally burst. England were crestfallen. Try as they might, they could not simply flip the switch to regain their balance, never mind summon the attacking intent needed to find another goal. By the time Lionel Messi—using his right foot, no less—delivered the cross that set up Lautaro Martínez’s winner, the match had already been lost. Throwing on Ivan Toney and Marcus Rashford was as desperate as it was futile. Tuchel lost this game in the 72nd minute when he replaced Anthony Gordon with Ezri Konsa. We won’t even mention Dan Burn. You cannot defend for 30 minutes against elite attackers chasing a place in a World Cup final and expect to survive. Not at this level. Not against Argentina. Not when Messi is still capable of producing one final act of genius. Major tournaments are difficult to win. They are almost impossible to win unless you play with desire, intention, courage, and on the front foot. In all my years watching major sporting events, I cannot recall anyone successfully backing their way into glory. Sadly, another tournament passes without football going home. These players deserved better.

Predictions:

40 of 52 poolsters called the Argentina win, and 5 had the score exactly right.

Kudos to: Adrian Lawrence, Daniel H, Mike H, Shayne S, Steven Whittingham