by Craig Laycock
Original article:
England 1 - 2 Argentina
Gordon (55') | Fernandez (85'), Martinez (90' + 2)
England found their World Cup dreams in pieces again, after a devastating late defeat by Argentina, triggered by Thomas Tuchel’s side sitting deeper and deeper and inviting pressure.
There will be another inquest into the national mentality, and the coaching decisions on display, after England slumped from being the dominant team for 55 minutes to second-best by a mile for the remainder of the game.
The game started as a fiery affair, with both sides embracing the physical potential this game promised, with plenty of off-pitch passion on display in the build up to the encounter. Referee Ismail Elfath had his work cut out for him in the first half, which saw 19 fouls.
With both sides battling for midfield, neither side looked like threatening the target until Morgan Rogers played a brilliant cross into the hugely pacey Gordon running into space, for him to slot home at the far post and take England into a 1-0 lead.
From there England were faced with a choice: attack high, or defend deep. With Argentina shocked into overdrive by the goal, they chose the latter option, fatally so.
Whether it was mentality or coaching is yet to be determined, but for whatever reason England retreated into their own half and invited Argentina to test their defence. While it may have withstood onslaughts from Mexico and Norway, the Argentine attack featuring the greatest player who has ever played the game was a different proposition.
Jordan Pickford was called upon to make a brilliant save from a Gonzalez header, before Alexis Mac Allister smashed a header against the post and Fernandez then levelled things in the 85th minute with a 25-yard strike.
England, and their fans, looked absolutely deflated and momentum had shifted entirely towards Argentina, with only one result looking likely from that point onwards.
With England defending with 5, or 6 at times, including 4 central defenders brought on to shore up the box, it shouldn’t be a surprise to learn that they came undone with a ball from the genius Lionel Messi in the 2nd minute of stoppage time.
Simply the greatest to ever play the game, and he undid England at the first time of asking, this being his first encounter with the side. Argentina will now face Spain in an enthralling final.
5 min read
England 1 - 2 Argentina
Gordon (55') | Fernandez (85'), Martinez (90' + 2)
England found their World Cup dreams in pieces again, after a devastating late defeat by Argentina, triggered by Thomas Tuchel’s side sitting deeper and deeper and inviting pressure.
There will be another inquest into the national mentality, and the coaching decisions on display, after England slumped from being the dominant team for 55 minutes to second-best by a mile for the remainder of the game.
The game started as a fiery affair, with both sides embracing the physical potential this game promised, with plenty of off-pitch passion on display in the build up to the encounter. Referee Ismail Elfath had his work cut out for him in the first half, which saw 19 fouls.
With both sides battling for midfield, neither side looked like threatening the target until Morgan Rogers played a brilliant cross into the hugely pacey Gordon running into space, for him to slot home at the far post and take England into a 1-0 lead.
From there England were faced with a choice: attack high, or defend deep. With Argentina shocked into overdrive by the goal, they chose the latter option, fatally so.
Whether it was mentality or coaching is yet to be determined, but for whatever reason England retreated into their own half and invited Argentina to test their defence. While it may have withstood onslaughts from Mexico and Norway, the Argentine attack featuring the greatest player who has ever played the game was a different proposition.
Jordan Pickford was called upon to make a brilliant save from a Gonzalez header, before Alexis Mac Allister smashed a header against the post and Fernandez then levelled things in the 85th minute with a 25-yard strike.
England, and their fans, looked absolutely deflated and momentum had shifted entirely towards Argentina, with only one result looking likely from that point onwards.
With England defending with 5, or 6 at times, including 4 central defenders brought on to shore up the box, it shouldn’t be a surprise to learn that they came undone with a ball from the genius Lionel Messi in the 2nd minute of stoppage time.
Simply the greatest to ever play the game, and he undid England at the first time of asking, this being his first encounter with the side. Argentina will now face Spain in an enthralling final.
Semi Final: England blow lead yet again
Familiar scenes for England fans.
Original article:
England 1 - 2 Argentina
Gordon (55') | Fernandez (85'), Martinez (90' + 2)
England found their World Cup dreams in pieces again, after a devastating late defeat by Argentina, triggered by Thomas Tuchel’s side sitting deeper and deeper and inviting pressure.
There will be another inquest into the national mentality, and the coaching decisions on display, after England slumped from being the dominant team for 55 minutes to second-best by a mile for the remainder of the game.
The game started as a fiery affair, with both sides embracing the physical potential this game promised, with plenty of off-pitch passion on display in the build up to the encounter. Referee Ismail Elfath had his work cut out for him in the first half, which saw 19 fouls.
With both sides battling for midfield, neither side looked like threatening the target until Morgan Rogers played a brilliant cross into the hugely pacey Gordon running into space, for him to slot home at the far post and take England into a 1-0 lead.
From there England were faced with a choice: attack high, or defend deep. With Argentina shocked into overdrive by the goal, they chose the latter option, fatally so.
Whether it was mentality or coaching is yet to be determined, but for whatever reason England retreated into their own half and invited Argentina to test their defence. While it may have withstood onslaughts from Mexico and Norway, the Argentine attack featuring the greatest player who has ever played the game was a different proposition.
Jordan Pickford was called upon to make a brilliant save from a Gonzalez header, before Alexis Mac Allister smashed a header against the post and Fernandez then levelled things in the 85th minute with a 25-yard strike.
England, and their fans, looked absolutely deflated and momentum had shifted entirely towards Argentina, with only one result looking likely from that point onwards.
With England defending with 5, or 6 at times, including 4 central defenders brought on to shore up the box, it shouldn’t be a surprise to learn that they came undone with a ball from the genius Lionel Messi in the 2nd minute of stoppage time.
Simply the greatest to ever play the game, and he undid England at the first time of asking, this being his first encounter with the side. Argentina will now face Spain in an enthralling final.
5 min read
Semi Final: England blow lead yet again
Familiar scenes for England fans.
England 1 - 2 Argentina
Gordon (55') | Fernandez (85'), Martinez (90' + 2)
England found their World Cup dreams in pieces again, after a devastating late defeat by Argentina, triggered by Thomas Tuchel’s side sitting deeper and deeper and inviting pressure.
There will be another inquest into the national mentality, and the coaching decisions on display, after England slumped from being the dominant team for 55 minutes to second-best by a mile for the remainder of the game.
The game started as a fiery affair, with both sides embracing the physical potential this game promised, with plenty of off-pitch passion on display in the build up to the encounter. Referee Ismail Elfath had his work cut out for him in the first half, which saw 19 fouls.
With both sides battling for midfield, neither side looked like threatening the target until Morgan Rogers played a brilliant cross into the hugely pacey Gordon running into space, for him to slot home at the far post and take England into a 1-0 lead.
From there England were faced with a choice: attack high, or defend deep. With Argentina shocked into overdrive by the goal, they chose the latter option, fatally so.
Whether it was mentality or coaching is yet to be determined, but for whatever reason England retreated into their own half and invited Argentina to test their defence. While it may have withstood onslaughts from Mexico and Norway, the Argentine attack featuring the greatest player who has ever played the game was a different proposition.
Jordan Pickford was called upon to make a brilliant save from a Gonzalez header, before Alexis Mac Allister smashed a header against the post and Fernandez then levelled things in the 85th minute with a 25-yard strike.
England, and their fans, looked absolutely deflated and momentum had shifted entirely towards Argentina, with only one result looking likely from that point onwards.
With England defending with 5, or 6 at times, including 4 central defenders brought on to shore up the box, it shouldn’t be a surprise to learn that they came undone with a ball from the genius Lionel Messi in the 2nd minute of stoppage time.
Simply the greatest to ever play the game, and he undid England at the first time of asking, this being his first encounter with the side. Argentina will now face Spain in an enthralling final.
5 min read