but they did nothing with the ball. in fact i just googled and google told me argentina had 56% of the possession compared to England 44% up until Gordon scored. There was no shots, nothing dangerous. They made nicer passes around midfield? i unno
I remember thinking in the second half that it looked like Harry Kane was being forced to be their Pirlo. Even though they eventually scored, I kept thinking "there's no way tactically that could be a good thing"
I think the problem with England is the assumptions. When you assume Rice and Anderson are somehow "world class" that's the fundamental problem. They simply don't have the skill. Bellingham is also badly overrated. Great box to box player and there is a role for that, but he's not going to run a midfield. They need a player like a Vitinha or Modric or Pirlo or you get the drill. He doesn't even have to be to their level. Just somewhat skilled as a passer and tempo setter. Until they figure that out, they are going nowhere as far as winning a Cup goes.
If he was truly the GOAT he would've fish hooked the youngster right here. We all know Maradona would've
TBF, I think I read it was without shots by both teams. First time happened since 1966. I can find it again. So it wasn't just an England problems (at least until that stage in the match).
Yes they have three number 8's that cant play through tight space and wonder why they can't break the press. Blaming Tuchel is just the new hand of god they have their excuse for decades to come and wont change. They are often very good but you wont win a world cup with that GK and that kind of midfield profile. Then they insult Argentinas midfield because they do the math of Anderson Rice Bellingham are better than Enzo Macalister Parades when the profile son the argentine midfield are much more complimentary to keeping the ball and breaking a press let alone having Rogers up top instead of Messi from a technical perspective.
Bellingham reminds me of a more skilled Frattesi lol. Doesn't really fit any formation just comes up with goals. Honestly probably best as a super sub role.
Jules retired in 1970, now it's your trophy, the Silvio Gazzaniga. Since we're pretty much 55%, likely more, Italian heritage, you should want us to win. Besides, if Spain wins that's 5 trophies for them in 18 years, 2 world cups and 4 Euro's so they also catch you in meaningful trophies won. Hard choice, I get.it It'll all get better when you win your 5th.
On our first goal they weren't even in a low block, it was a low line just above the 6yd box that Fernandez had ages to get the shot off. That's their problem, they try to park a bus but can't do it. On the second there were four free Englishmen just sitting in the 18 as Messi had ages, again, to run at them and past them. That's not defending, it's just holding on for dear life.
Yes exactly. There is no excuse for them their midfield could not break the press relieve pressure hold on to the ball or win a foul and their defending was not good Argentina hit the post twice and scored twice and Pickford even made one point blank save it could have been 5 goals in 30 minutes. They are trying to re-imagine that Tuchel single handedly ruined everything at the 72nd minute moving to a back 5 but from the start of the 2nd half to the 55th minute Argentina had 60% possession and from the goal at the 55th minute to the 72nd minute Argentina had 80% possession and a few clear chances on goal. The goal was coming. He did the only thing he could do which was throw on a defender which maybe made it worse but he does not have quality midfield options on the bench to control a game in that situation. So their midfield was poor their defending was poor and their attack in the first half where they imagine they were dominating created not a single chance. They like Canada used their physicality in the first half to ty and rattle their opponent and once they emptied the tank they were pinned back. Even the goal only came because of a really poor Argentine clearance and both teams were still in the England end as that is where the momentum was. Physically they were impressive in the first half but they did not cash in on it.
they should use him as a 9 to replace Kane maybe he is amazing but he is not Kaka Zidane in profile he can't control a game he is a runner/finisher he is Lampard/Gerrard with a bigger frame
If Italy had a World class team we could get Pep...but he's probably looking at the roster and taking a pass. No experienced coach wants to touch this team.
Any coach worth their salt would look beyond the current roster and have some fun piecing together the promising talent that we have, in my opinion. I'd love to have a shot at it. If Pep doesn't, he's not worth it.
There are no passes between Argentina's centre-backs.Lisandro Martínez and Cuti Romero don't pass the ball to each other. Take a look at Argentina's passing map.Argentina build with their centre-backs very wide. England were pressing with their wingers from out to in.A pass… pic.twitter.com/dEwevV0Jse— Roger Bonet "Ruxi" (@Ruxiiii4) July 16, 2026
Jude is a superstar player. Do not compare him to Frattesi in any way lol. Him and Vini were the two main reasons why Madrid won a Champs League a few years ago when they had 0 strikers. He was then and still today the definition of clutch when it comes to needing a goal. He literally has 6 goals and 1 assist playing a midfield role for England. And he has more grit than anyone else on that team, even though he missed it, look at Enzo's goal and watch him flying at him like prime Gattuso while all the other Englishmen were just standing still with their pants down. He has close control technique and dribbling that is errierly similar to Zizou. The only knock on him for me is he is not quick but he has an engine and strength that few others can match. If he was Italian, he would be our best player.
FWIW, Sebastiano Desplanches said the Argentines really recieved the team well at the U20 WC a couple of years ago.
I was wondering how many times other World Cup winners have not qualified for the World Cup. Let's compare: We have missed out 4 times. Uruguay 6, Spain 5, France 5, Argentina 4, England 3, Germany 2. Brazil is the only country that has always made it. I somewhat feel a little better knowing it is not just us. It's funny so many other fans like to make fun of Italy for missing 3 in a row, when in reality their countries have prolly missed more while not winning nearly as much as us.
I think Argentina didn't go to one as a protest. I remember the France failure in 1993 (for 1994) very well. David Ginola messed up and then Bulgaria went downfield and scored at the death. It was shocking and a top story that day. I remember watching some interviews with the Italy players from the 1958 failure. A few of them said that Northern Ireland team was dreadful and they couldn't believe they lost to them. I know Italy kept England out of one in the 70's. I think '78.
I don't think Tuchel is going to be able to withstand the criticism, especially as he's given them a way out by not taking Foden and Palmer, which is going to be blamed for their early exit. As you said, they didn't have the quality in the midfield and fans are going to say those two would have provided it. I think England finds themselves in this position a lot because when push comes to shove, they run out of ideas. By the way, I give Tuchel some credit for at least having the presence of mind and respect for his roots to not sing the English national anthem, unlike Carlo for Brazil. That was unforgivable.
Pep can't do anything with Italy. Italy needs an Italian. You're basically confirming that managers like Pep, Ancelotti and even Mourinho need to be able to buy players to fit their system. Italy needs a manager that can make a system for the players he has. Pirlo can do that. Baldini probably is your best choice, but with so many calling for a name-brand manager, I guess Pirlo or Mancini/Conte is what you're going to get. They all have names, for different reasons.