England’s latest World Cup exit has reignited the same painful debate that has haunted the national team for six decades now.
A devastating late collapse against Argentina in the semi-final ended England’s hopes of reaching a first men’s World Cup final since their 1966 triumph at Wembley.
Thomas Tuchel had spoken glowingly about England’s mentality after the quarter-final win over Norway, claiming you could bottle it up and sell it.
What could not be sold, however, was their big-game reliability when it mattered most, as Argentina proved in ruthless fashion.
England can now add this bitter semi-final exit to successive European Championship final losses and the 2018 World Cup semi-final defeat by Croatia.
Of the 14 goals England scored throughout this campaign, captain Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham contributed 12 between them, with six each to their names.
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon were the only other goalscorers, underlining how heavily Tuchel’s side depended on their two outstanding performers.
Tuchel was also hampered by Arsenal pair Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka struggling with illness and injury, reducing the effectiveness of a duo he had been counting on heavily.
England’s campaign was repeatedly rescued by individual moments rather than defined by cohesive and convincing team performances across ninety minutes.
When they fell behind to DR Congo in the last 32, it was Kane who rescued them with a late double, while Bellingham’s brace saved them against Norway in the quarter-final.
The statistic that will haunt Tuchel most is that England held just 12% possession between Anthony Gordon’s goal in the 55th minute and Lautaro Martinez’s winner for Argentina in stoppage time.
Tuchel himself acknowledged the root of the problem, saying ball possession “plays a crucial role” but admitting control is not in England’s DNA the way it is for Spain, Argentina, or Brazil.
“It’s maybe not in our DNA like it is in the Spanish DNA or Argentinian or Brazilian DNA to take the ball, control the game and the ball, which is also a big problem,” Tuchel said.
“I still think we can show how good football players we are. I think that is still in us, as I see it in training and in every camp.”
Tuchel built his England around a Premier League-style template, using a back four, midfield anchors, Bellingham at number ten, and two orthodox wide men.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was exiled before the squad was named, while Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, and Morgan Gibbs-White were also absent from the final selection.
Questions have been raised over whether Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, who has shown genuine class and maturity in winning the FA Cup and Conference League, could have offered England more control in possession.
The concern for the Football Association runs deeper than one tournament, given England have now tried multiple high-profile coaches without converting near-misses into the ultimate prize.
Tuchel was positioned as the decisive difference from Gareth Southgate, the elite European coach who would finally deliver when it mattered on the grandest stage.
Instead, with England leading a World Cup semi-final, Tuchel adopted a defensive tactical retreat that will invite fierce scrutiny and demand significant answers before Euro 2028.
