rewrite this title Tuchel under fire after England World Cup heartbreak vs Argentina – live reaction

“The truth is Tuchel, just like Southgate, took an England team who were not lighting up the tournament as far as most expected before it kicked off,” Carragher said in his Telegraph column.

“The problem for the FA is it did not anticipate Tuchel standing side by side with Southgate as a coach who came close, but could not find the added ingredient to beat one of the perennial tournament winners.

“Ultimately, the 2026 World Cup will be remembered as another missed opportunity. We are forced to accept that no matter who the England manager is or how big their reputation is, we keep finding a way to fail.”

The former England right-back labelled Argentina’s Romero and Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez as “the best, worst centre-half pairing in the world” during the build-up to the semi-final in Atlanta.

But the pair, despite picking up yellow cards, defended resolutely, with the champions edging the contest to advance to a second successive final against Spain.

Leandro Paredes, 6: Another who tried his luck with the referee early on, though he grew into the game as Argentina started to see more of the ball. Was assured in possession and was perhaps unlucky to come off as Scaloni opted to change things.

Giuliano Simeone, 5: As industrious as ever in the first half but his touch and general play let him down on occasion. A similar story in the second half, but was unlucky to be on the end of a superb challenge from Spence. Came off as Argentina changed tactics.

Enzo Fernandez, 8: Seemed happy to just break up play early on but had the best effort of the first half as a well-hit drive flew narrowly over the bar. Remained key as Argentina began to dominate and scored a brilliant equaliser as he rifled in from outside the box.

Alexis Mac Allister, 7: The Liverpool man was everywhere for his side at one point and tracked back well to nullify England’s attacking threat. Was desperately unlucky to see a great diving header come back off the post.

Lionel Messi, 8: The Argentina legend sprung into life after his side went behind and dictated play throughtout as his team hunted an equaliser and then a winner. His cross for the second was brilliant, and he once again ends up playing a deciding part in a match of utmost importance.

Julian Alvarez, 6: Popped up on the wing and in central areas and carried Argentina’s threat for much of the game alongside Messi. Was unable to impose himself in attack but was lively and energetic throughout.

Elliot Anderson, 7: Seemed to be everywhere at one point, and looked like the man tasked with marshalling Messi’s every move. Did it well in the first half but was deservedly booked. Couldn’t do much as Messi dropped deeper to affect play, but had a solid performance.

Declan Rice, 6: Also seemed to be everywhere and brought plenty of energy to the first portion of the first half, though again maybe wasn’t quite himself. Was unable to take control of the midfield throughout.

Morgan Rogers, 6: Took on his man at the first opportunity and dovetailed well with James. Was left a little isolated at times but put in a brilliant cross for the opening goal and gave a performance deserving of his starting berth.

Jude Bellingham, 7: Argentina tried to antagonise him early on but he was up for the occasion. Won two dangerous free-kicks but was unable to impose himself on a first half that was disjointed from both sides. Helped England up the pitch in the second half but was another who was left a little isolated, especially after Gordon scored.

Anthony Gordon, 7: The Barcelona man has become one of England’s unsung heroes and he provided an early outlet for his and worked well with Spence in Atlanta. Escaped Molina superbly and finished equally as well as he scored the opening goal.

Harry Kane, 6: Dropped deep to help create but left England a little light up top. Overall the England captain was fairly anonymous as his side struggled in attack, especially after going ahead.

Gary Neville criticised Argentina’s Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez, labelling them: “the best, worst centre-half pairing in the world”.

And the Tottenham defender has hit back at Neville, telling DSports: “The only thing that I hope for is that when I retire, I am not that stupid. Hopefully I won’t criticise a player or anyone.

“Because at the end of the day, we are doing our best for our national team. Sometimes it goes right for us, sometimes badly, but we are just happy to be in a World Cup final again.

“I think we are making history, for us it is something really huge, and we feel the significance of this shirt like no one else.”

“I thought that we nailed the game plan,” Burn said. “We knew what Argentina would do.

“We got a bit passive after the goal, defended a bit too deep, the quality of chances Argentina created, it felt like a matter of time.

“We conceded too many crosses and too many chances. In the previous games, we’ve defended those so well. To get that close and not do it, it’s very sad.”

Emiliano Martinez, 6: Untroubled in the first half, and made a save he’d expect to make to keep it 1-0 in the second. Not a lot he could do about the Gordon goal, and remained untroubled after Argentina scored twice.

Nahuel Molina, 5: Battled well with Gordon and Spence in first half but wasn’t aware enough for the opening goal.

Cristian Romero, 6: Started well overall as Argentina were able to fend off any England pressure, but got a yellow card early into the second half after misjudging Bellingham. Didn’t have an awful lot to do in the second half and was not to blame for England’s goals.

Lisandro Martinez, 6: Started positively and was key in build-up as the Argentina defence remained untroubled for a lot of the first half, though got himself a yellow card late on. Was unlucky to see a header beaten away by Pickford after ghosting in, and was then subbed early as a precaution.

Nicolas Tagliafico, 6: Had a bit of a shaky start against Rogers but recovered well towards the end of the first half. Not a lot he could do about the goal and was fairly solid overall. Eventually replaced by Lautaro Martinez late on.

Jordan Pickford, 6: The England goalkeeper could do little about the second goal but perhaps got his positioning a little off for the first. Can’t be blamed for not holding out after a surprising change in tactics.

Reece James, 6: Looked to get forward at every opportunity and troubled the Argentina defence at times. Helped England threaten and was solid enough in defence before coming off.

John Stones, 6: Another settled performance in the first half as neither side was able to really trouble the other. Was called into action much more frequently in the second half, and made a pivotal clearing header to prevent a ball across goal. Was up against it late on as England sat back.

Marc Guehi, 6: On the whole was also untroubled for the most part in the first half, and could do little about Argentina’s equaliser. Was another who was put up against it as Tuchel changed tactics, and was unable to hold out for the 30 minutes or so.

Djed Spence, 8: The Spurs defender was the player of the game for England. He made good early dribbles, made space for Gordon and looked a real threat in attack, while also putting in a superb sliding challenge to prevent Simeone right after England had scored.