Tuchel Blames England's 12% Possession for World Cup Exit as Midfield Shortage Persists
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 17
Tuchel Blames England's 12% Possession for World Cup Exit as Midfield Shortage Persists
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 17
Summary
England had just 12% possession after Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute opener until Lautaro Martínez scored the stoppage-time winner, a stretch Tuchel cast as the clearest explanation for the World Cup semi-final collapse.
Of England’s 39 passes in that period, 12 came from Jordan Pickford and only five were in Argentina’s half, underscoring how Argentina’s high press forced England backward and repeatedly won the ball back.
Tuchel said Argentina’s players are raised to demand the ball with “natural self-confidence,” while Emiliano Martínez said England retreated instead of pushing forward after taking the lead.
The defeat revived questions over the FA’s 2014 “England DNA” plan to dominate possession, with Dan Ashworth back at St George’s Park tasked with rebuilding long-term systems after another lead surrendered on the biggest stage.
Tuchel’s critique also sharpened focus on England’s midfield pipeline, even as Elliot Anderson, Alex Scott and Myles Lewis-Skelly are seen as part of a more technically secure generation before Euro 2028.