England’s defeat to Argentina in the 2024 World Cup semifinal marked a continuation of the national team’s struggle to break through at the tournament’s final stages, culminating in a 2-1 loss on Wednesday that prevented England from reaching its first men’s World Cup final in six decades.
The Football Association’s decision to appoint Thomas Tuchel as England’s manager earlier this year was driven by his reputation as a tactical innovator, expected to produce dynamic, tailored game plans to guide the team to ultimate success. Under Tuchel, England initially appeared to execute this blueprint effectively, taking an early 1-0 lead through Anthony Gordon’s counterattacking goal. However, the team’s approach shifted dramatically in the second half, leading to a collapse marked by a defensive retreat that rendered England vulnerable.
Despite holding the advantage and the opportunity to apply pressure on a demanding Argentine squad, England failed to capitalize on its position. Key attacking options such as Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, and Marcus Rashford remained unused on the bench during critical phases, limiting England’s offensive threat. After the hour mark, England’s presence shrank closer to its own penalty area, ceding space and initiative to Argentina.
The turning point came when Tuchel opted for a tactical shift reminiscent of the “Azteca Plan,” a strategy employed effectively against Mexico in the round of 16. This involved switching to a back five and prioritizing deep defensive positioning, intended to neutralize aerial threats. However, against Argentina’s skilled playmakers, particularly Lionel Messi, this approach backfired. The retreat allowed Messi and his teammates to operate with freedom on the edge of the penalty area, contributing directly to the equalizing goal by Enzo Fernández in the final minutes of regular time.
England’s inability to regain control was evident as Argentina intensified their pressure, with Alexis MacAllister hitting the post and Lautaro Martínez eventually scoring the winner from a Messi assist. England’s offensive output between goals was minimal, maintaining possession for only 12 percent of the time, and rarely threatening Argentina’s defense over the crucial latter stages of the match.
This loss marks England’s third World Cup semifinal defeat in recent history, adding to previous disappointments such as the 2018 exit against Croatia. While that earlier England squad faced criticism for inexperience and limited tactical maturity, the current team possessed a more seasoned core, featuring players like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham performing near their peaks. The F.A.’s investment in Tuchel was intended to furnish the team with the strategic edge necessary to advance further, yet Wednesday’s match underscored persistent challenges in managing momentum and maintaining offensive ambition under pressure.
In the aftermath, England’s players appeared visibly distraught, acutely aware of the narrow margin separating them from a rare World Cup final berth. The outcome has raised questions about the tactical decisions made during the match and whether England’s approach, particularly the late-game defensive posture, ultimately served as a self-inflicted wound rather than a calculated measure to preserve their lead.