Dan Walker has pulled no punches towards England supervisor Thomas Tuchel after the Three Lions’ quest to achieve a primary World Cup ultimate since 1966 led to devastating vogue.
Argentina mounted a surprising late fightback on Wednesday night to assert a 2-1 victory in Atlanta.
The defending champions appeared crushed with simply 5 minutes of regular time remaining, trailing to Anthony Gordon’s second-half strike.
But Lautaro Martinez’s header deep into stoppage time accomplished a rare turnaround that may rank amongst Argentina’s best comebacks.
England supervisor Thomas Tuchel has come below hearth after his aspect surrendered a late lead towards Argentina
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GETTYTuchel’s aspect had managed a lot of the competition however in the end paid the worth for retreating within the closing levels as Lionel Scaloni’s males seized their second.
The German-born coach made a collection of defensive substitutions which have since been panned by many inside the footballing world.
And now, former Soccer Focus host Mr Walker has had his say, and it is secure to say he sides with these vital of Tuchel’s actions.
Mr Walker’s verdict on the match started slightly diplomatically, writing in an X submit: “That should really feel unbelievable for Argentina and soul-destroying for England.
Dan Walker hosted Soccer Focus for 12 years | GETTY“They did a job on us and we made it a lot simpler for them than it ought to have been. It’s been fantastic to observe England at this World Cup however that’s going to harm for some time.”
Nevertheless, he quickly adopted it up with a lengthier submit by which he tore aside Tuchel and his sport plan.
“It have to be so irritating for the gamers that England are right here once more. Thomas Tuchel mentioned he ‘no regrets’ however he absolutely is aware of that the primary World Cup ultimate in 60 years was inside grasp,” he started.
“In that second half we appeared to do EXACTLY what Argentina needed us to do…
I do know that is the last word instance of an armchair supervisor rant however… I wanted to get it off my chest 😂
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) July 16, 2026
“We have been a aim up. They’d each their centre halves on yellow playing cards. They have been fearful about us operating at them with tempo. They have been struggling to keep up possession within the ultimate third.
“We retreated. We by no means put them below strain. We took off the boys who may hurt them and changed them with defenders. We gifted them the ball within the ultimate third.
“Wayne Rooney mentioned afterwards that the gamers could have disagreed with what the supervisor was making an attempt to do.
“It was there for England… Argentina have been creaking. Scaloni made good substitutions however we opened the door.
Lautaro Martinez scored in stoppage time in Argentina’s 2-1 World Cup win over England | GETTY“This was about ways not expertise,” he continued earlier than signing off: “I do know that is the last word instance of an armchair supervisor rant however… I wanted to get it off my chest.”
Mr Walker’s “rant” sparked fairly the talk amongst his fellow X customers, with some in whole settlement with the Channel 5 Information star, whereas others argued Tuchel “is aware of higher” than him.
Through the match, England took the lead by means of Gordon’s breakthrough which arrived 10 minutes into the second half, capitalising on Morgan Rogers’ glorious supply from the fitting flank.
The Barcelona winger positioned himself completely on the again submit to transform from shut vary however the pleasure turned out to be short-lived.
Ultimate ultimate thought…
It’s not that Tuchel is a foul supervisor – he isn’t. He obtained England to inside a whisker of a World Cup ultimate and he made some good selections in different video games at this match.
I don’t assume he needs to be sacked however I do hope, in time, his adjustments his opinion…
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) July 16, 2026
Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez had threatened all through with long-range efforts, and his persistence lastly paid dividends when he unleashed a blistering strike from outdoors the penalty space following a brief nook routine involving Messi.
With England sitting deeper, Scaloni’s aspect assumed full management, pinning their opponents again and creating likelihood after likelihood.
Alexis Mac Allister struck the woodwork with a header he ought to have transformed, whereas Fernandez pressured Pickford into a number of saves earlier than lastly discovering the web.
Messi orchestrated a lot of Argentina’s late strain, in the end offering the cross that Martinez headed house to finish England’s World Cup journey.
England should now regroup for Saturday’s third-place play-off towards France in Miami. Argentina, in the meantime, will face Spain in New Jersey on Sunday with the possibility to defend their world title.
