Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez admitted his teammates felt a significant change in England’s tactics after they scored first in their World Cup semi-final on Wednesday night.
Just under an hour into the contest, it looked very much as if England were set to reach only their second World Cup final in history.
Anthony Gordon had put Thomas Tuchel’s team ahead but two late goals inspired by Lionel Messi saw the world champions win the game in Atlanta.
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Three Lions coach Tuchel is facing a lot of criticism for his tactical decisions. For many, he invited too much pressure onto his defence too early into the game.
Speaking after the game, the goalkeeper revealed that the Argentina players noticed it.
Martinez says Argentina felt England going backwards
Martinez, who plays for English Premier League side Aston Villa, talked to BBC Sport after the game.
He said: “We felt it. We felt them going backwards and backwards rather than going forward. Sometimes when you are winning, you have to go forward anyway. You can’t change the gameplan. I think they did it and they put extra defenders.”
Clearly, it’s easy to be wise after the event. Dropping deep and bolstering the defence worked for England against Mexico and Tuchel was praised for it.
Still, a team as good as Argentina were always going to pose a different type of challenge. Allowing players like Messi and Fernandez the time and space to create did seem like a risk.
The fact is that England reached only the fourth semi-final in their history. They have not shamed themselves and they were narrowly beaten by the defending world champions boasting perhaps the greatest player the sport has ever seen.
That will clearly be scant consolation to supporters, but it is perhaps worth keeping in mind.
Tuchel has signed a contract until after the European Championships in the summer of 2028, which will be held in England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.
The former Chelsea coach will no doubt be questioned for his decisions in the World Cup semi-final but still has the chance to end England’s long wait for a trophy before his contract is up.
Read more:
How IShowSpeed reacted to England’s World Cup exit against Lionel Messi’s Argentina
What Dave Portnoy needs explaining about Argentina’s World Cup performances after England win
Why Argentina fans booed Inter Miami owner David Beckham at World Cup semi-final
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