Gary Lineker has described England’s tactics against Lionel Messi and Argentina as “unfathomable” as Thomas Tuchel’s side let a 1-0 lead slip in the World Cup semi-final.
England’s hopes of lifting the World Cup were ended by a 2-1 defeat in Atlanta as Messi produced two late assists to turn the encounter his side’s way.
The defending champions again showed their tournament spirit to reach the final against Spain on Sunday, though were perhaps helped out by England’s defensive changes after Anthony Gordon had put them in front.
Tuchel introduced three defenders as substitutes during the second half, allowing Argentina to take control of the contest. They had twice struck the woodwork before Enzo Fernandez fired home from 25 yards to equalise, while Messi’s pinpoint cross was then converted by Lautaro Martinez in stoppage time.
Former England striker Lineker was left baffled by tactics that appeared to play into the Argentina captain’s hands.
“I found it absolutely unfathomable that, if your tactic is to sit everyone deep, you do that against the greatest player ever to play football,” Lineker said on The Rest Is Football in reference to Messi.
“I think he’s just cementing that game after game after game. Most goals in the World Cup, most assists in the World Cup. And he moves to the right, yeah, and you play a back five, and you still don’t go and get tight to him.
“Just put someone on him. He had so much space. He just whipped ball after ball after ball into the box.”
Tuchel is thought to retain the backing of the Football Association (FA), with the England manager contracted through Euro 2028.
The manner of his side’s defeat has led to heavy criticism, though, and Micah Richards feels that the coach had a bad day.
“Today he got it wrong,” Richards suggested. “And he has to accept that. They were too deep. As soon as we scored that goal, we had no outlet.
“We’re looking at Kane, we’re looking for energy, Kane was absolutely knackered in the game. It was crying out for Ollie Watkins, someone who could run in behind, get us up the pitch. This one is on the manager.”
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